EMI Licence
in the Czech Republic
Expand your fintech business across Europe with a Czech EMI licence
Obtaining an EMI licence (Electronic Money Institution licence) in the Czech Republic is a transformative milestone for fintech innovators, digital asset hubs, and payment disruptors that want to issue electronic money, manage client funds, and operate legally across the entire EU.
With authorisation from the Czech National Bank (ČNB), your company gains credibility, access to the European market, and the freedom to build scalable financial products — from digital wallets to cross-border payment platforms.
Why the Czech Republic
for EMI licence
Full EU market access (passporting)
A licence from the ČNB gives your company the freedom to operate across all EU and EEA countries under one authorisation. You can reach over 450 million customers in 30+ markets — without the need for additional local licences or entities.
Established regulator and predictable supervision
ČNB is a well-established EU supervisory authority with a structured and pragmatic approach to payment institutions. In practice, this often results in clearer regulatory expectations, more predictable review stages, and fewer interpretative issues during the licensing process.
Cost-efficient setup and maintenance
Compared with many Western European jurisdictions, Czechia offers a noticeably lower cost base for establishing and operating an EMI, while preserving full EU regulatory credibility and passporting rights.
AMS EMI Licensing Services & Plans
New EMI Incorporation
Designed for fintech innovators looking to establish a custom-built, regulated entity in the Czech Republic from the ground up.
Includes:
- Expert review of application and business plan
- Definition of EMI services and authorization scope
- Сompany incorporation and governance setup
- Share capital formation
- AML/CFT policies and internal control setup
- Full EMI license application preparation
- Representation before the ČNB
- Post-authorization compliance support
Ready-Made Company with an EMI License
A fast-track solution involving the purchase of an existing, inactive Czech company that already holds a valid EMI authorization.
Includes:
- Selection of a vetted licensed EMI company
- Legal structuring of share acquisition
- Notification and approval of ownership changes
- Alignment of license scope with business model
- Update of AML and compliance framework
- Management and key roles onboarding support
- Mandatory regulatory filings and notifications
- Post-authorization compliance support
Additional services
for EMI companies
We help EMI companies build stable operations — from regulator-ready compliance and banking access to day-to-day support.
Accounting & regulatory reporting
Full accounting in line with Czech law, preparation and submission of tax reports, deadline and compliance monitoring
AML & compliance operations
Setup and support of AML/KYC frameworks: policies, monitoring logic, reporting flows, and continuous alignment with Czech AML law, MiCA, and ČNB expectations
Key roles & local substance
Support with appointing and maintaining required roles such as AML Officer / MLRO, management, and control functions — ensuring real local presence and supervisory comfort
Banking & safeguarding support
Preparation and support for opening safeguarding and operational accounts with EU banks and EMIs, including compliance positioning and documentation aligned with banking standards
Corporate, legal & audit support
Legal, corporate, and internal audit support: corporate changes, regulator filings, FAU interactions, internal reviews, and readiness checks for supervisory inspections
AMS Approach
We know the rules
Our team deeply understands ČNB licensing standards and how to meet them efficiently.
We handle everything
From your first consultation to final licence approval — all steps, all documents, one point of contact.
We write your policies
AML, safeguarding, risk, DORA — everything your EMI needs, prepared to ČNB standards.
We stay with you
After licensing, we continue with accounting, compliance, and legal support — keeping you compliant and growing.
We care
Each client works directly with a dedicated team that knows your project inside out.
We deliver results
A clear licensing strategy built on hands-on experience with multiple EU licenses and regulated companies — with predictable timelines and a fully operational EMI ready to scale across the EU.
Roadmap to Securing
an EMI License
Obtaining an EMI license in the Czech Republic is a structured, regulator-driven process. The entire procedure can be handled remotely and follows the supervisory framework of the ČNB. Below is a practical breakdown of each stage and its typical duration.
Preliminary analysis
Duration: up to 2–3 weeks
Before proceeding, we execute a deep-dive audit of your commercial strategy to confirm its alignment with EMI regulations and define the necessary legal scope.
Includes:
- Operational review: analysis of payment pathways and fund movements.
- UBO verification: review of ultimate beneficial ownership and corporate hierarchy.
- Fit & proper testing: validating the background and integrity of proposed directors.
- Gap assessment: identifying deficiencies in existing AML/KYC protocols.
- Strategic planning: delivery of a comprehensive licensing blueprint and risk profile.
Company incorporation and governance structuring
Duration: 1–2 weeks
We support Czech company incorporation and establish governance and control arrangements in line with EMI requirements.
Includes:
- Legal incorporation: setting up a Czech s.r.o. (Limited Liability Company).
- Organizational design: defining management roles and internal reporting lines.
- Mandatory appointments: assigning statutory representatives and an MLRO.
- Document drafting: compilation of all founding corporate instruments.
Application package preparation
Duration: 4–6 weeks
We curate a bespoke suite of documents specifically engineered to reflect your business model while satisfying high regulatory benchmarks.
Includes:
- Strategic forecasting: multi-year business plans and detailed financial projections.
- Compliance framework: internal AML/CFT manuals and monitoring systems.
- Asset protection: formalizing the methodology for safeguarding client capital.
- Resilience & security: crafting risk management, IT security, and outsourcing protocols (including DORA compliance).
Submission and review by the ČNB
Duration: 3–6 months
The application is submitted to the ČNB. During the review phase, we manage all regulatory communication and supervisory interactions.
Includes:
- Application filing: official submission of the EMI application.
- Regulatory correspondence: managing all communication with the ČNB.
- Query resolution: responding to requests for additional information or clarifications.
- Interview preparation: preparing senior management for regulatory discussions.
Post-authorization maintenance
Ongoing
After approval, we help you move from “licensed” to fully operational and compliant.
Includes:
- Continuous compliance: ongoing advisory on AML updates and regulatory shifts.
- Fiscal reporting: mandatory accounting and ČNB statistical reporting.
- Internal auditing: facilitating periodic reviews of internal controls.
- Growth advisory: guidance on corporate scaling and governance evolution.
EMI Licence:
Key Facts &Requirements
An EMI licence in the Czech Republic is the most flexible type of non-bank financial authorisation within the EU. It allows companies to operate as regulated payment institutions with additional rights to issue electronic money and hold client funds.
Core capabilities
Core capabilities
- Issuing electronic money – converting clients’ fiat (EUR, CZK, USD) into e-money stored in digital wallets.
- Holding customer funds – managing client balances and executing incoming or outgoing payments.
- Providing full payment services – card payments, money transfers, standing orders, SEPA transactions.
- Linked credit services – offering limited credit products related to payment services.
Who needs an EMI licence
Who needs an EMI licence
An Electronic Money Institution licence is designed for companies that hold and manage clients’ funds in electronic form (“stored value”). It’s ideal for a wide range of modern financial models, including:
- E-wallets – enabling users to load funds, store value, and make payments worldwide.
- Prepaid and debit cards – issuing physical or virtual cards (VISA / Mastercard) directly connected to clients’ e-money accounts, allowing worldwide payments and ATM withdrawals.
- Online marketplaces & platforms – holding client payments securely until transactions are completed.
- International remittance services – providing low-cost, multi-currency accounts and transfers, often at better rates than traditional banks.
- Crypto-fiat platforms – managing client fiat balances (EUR, USD, CZK) for crypto exchanges or brokers.
- Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) – assigning unique IBANs to clients (individuals or businesses), allowing them to receive and send payments just like with a standard bank account.
Regulatory limits
Regulatory limits
- Cannot accept insured deposits (bank-level deposits).
- Cannot issue loans using client funds.
- Must comply with strict AML, safeguarding, and risk-management requirements.
Capital and supervision
Capital and supervision
- Minimum capital: €350,000 (fully paid-up).
- Regulator: Czech National Bank (ČNB).
- Legal base: Directive (EU) 2009/110/EC and Czech Act on Payment Systems.
- Supervision scope: AML/CFT compliance, governance, risk management, and safeguarding structure.
Let’s shape your EMI journey together
From strategy to licence approval — we guide you every step of the way. Talk to our experts and see how a Czech EMI licence can power your EU growth.
Get ConsultationFAQ
What budget should I plan for an EMI authorization in Czechia?
There is no fixed “package price” for an EMI licence in the Czech Republic. The final budget depends on how complex your business model is, how the company is structured, and how much regulatory support is required during the application process.
The main cost elements usually include:
- Regulatory Capital: An applicant must contribute a minimum paid-up capital of EUR 350,000. These funds must be fully deposited to the company’s account and confirmed at the time of filing the licence application with the Czech National Bank (ČNB).
- Application and professional support costs: The official filing fee charged by the ČNB is relatively low (CZK 20,000). However, the largest part of the budget is typically related to legal, compliance, and regulatory advisory services. Depending on the project scope, these costs may range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand euros.
- Operating Infrastructure: Post-licensing, you will incur expenses for mandatory AML/CFT monitoring software, external audits, and specialized reporting systems required for seamless integration with ČNB’s oversight protocols.
Is a Small-Scale EMI (sEMI) a viable starting point?
The sEMI is often viewed as a “sandbox” for startups, but it has two major roadblocks:
- Strict Limits: Your average outstanding electronic money cannot exceed €5 million.
- No Passporting: This is a domestic-only authorization. You cannot use an sEMI to serve clients or market services in other EEA member states.
In practice, sEMI can work well for local or early-stage operations, testing business models, or running limited e-money/payment activities — but it is not suitable for companies planning EU-wide expansion.
What is the expected timeline for license approval?
Typically, the period from the initial filing to the final decision by the Czech National Bank spans between 3 and 12 months. The speed of the process depends heavily on the quality of your documentation and how quickly you can address the regulator’s follow-up inquiries.
What are the fundamental requirements for applicants?
To qualify for an Electronic Money Institution licence, an applicant must demonstrate compliance with a number of regulatory conditions, including:
- minimum paid-up capital of EUR 350,000;
- a clear and transparent ownership structure with verifiable source of funds;
- directors and key managers who meet “fit and proper” criteria and have relevant experience in financial services, payments, or compliance;
- a comprehensive business plan supported by three-year financial projections;
- fully developed internal frameworks covering AML/CFT, safeguarding of client funds, risk management, IT security, and corporate governance;
- sufficient operational and managerial presence in the Czech Republic, in line with ČNB expectations.
Is it possible to complete EMI licensing without being physically present in Czechia?
Absolutely. The application workflow is designed to be location-independent. Through a Power of Attorney (PoA) and digital communication channels, we manage all filings and interactions with the ČNB. Your physical presence in Prague is not required to complete the legal or regulatory stages.