SPI License
in the Czech Republic

The budget depends on the route you take and the condition of the project at the outset. Typical cost components include company incorporation, professional fees for structuring and project management, documentation work, AML/CFT setup, and post-registration support.

In most cases, SPI registration is significantly more cost-efficient than full PI authorisation. However, the actual budget will vary depending on whether you are creating a new entity or purchasing an existing one, how complex the business model is, and how much of the compliance infrastructure already exists.

We provide project-specific pricing after an initial review rather than using flat figures that ignore the real scope of the work.

The choice depends mainly on your expected transaction volumes, territorial ambitions, and operational model.

An SPI is generally appropriate if you plan to operate within the Czech Republic, remain below the EUR 3 million rolling monthly threshold, and want a faster, more proportionate entry into regulated payments.

A full PI licence is usually the better option if you need EEA passporting from the outset, expect higher volumes, or are building a model that will outgrow SPI limitations in the near term.

We review this question at the very beginning of each project so that the structure matches the business plan from day one.

From initial assessment to registration, the full process often takes around 3 to 6 months, depending on the starting condition of the project and the speed of regulatory review.

A rough breakdown is usually as follows: initial assessment takes 1–2 weeks, company setup can often be completed from 5 working days, preparation of the full file usually takes 4–8 weeks, and regulator review commonly runs for 1–3 months.

The biggest source of delay is rarely the filing itself. It is usually weak preparation, inconsistent documentation, or unclear positioning.

ČNB reviews directors and significant shareholders under a Fit & Proper standard. That includes experience, reputation, background, and any legal or regulatory issues that may be relevant to suitability.

The applicant itself must be a Czech legal entity, usually an s.r.o. Ownership must be transparent, fully documented, and clear through to the ultimate beneficial owner. Where the structure is complex, the regulator will expect a proper explanation and supporting evidence.

We review both ownership and management early in the project to identify any issues before the file reaches ČNB.

If average monthly transaction volumes move toward or above the EUR 3 million threshold, the business must notify ČNB and prepare to move to a full PI regime. Exceeding the ceiling without acting creates regulatory risk.

In practice, the transition should be planned before the threshold is reached. The PI process is more demanding than SPI registration, so early preparation matters.

We support clients with threshold monitoring and manage PI upgrade projects when scaling makes that necessary.

Yes. In most cases, the SPI registration process can be handled remotely. ČNB does not usually require founders to attend in person, and Czech company incorporation can often be completed through a properly notarised power of attorney.

We coordinate filing, formalities, legalisation requirements, and communication with local parties so that the process can be completed without a physical visit.

Where local presence is strategically useful for substance or banking reasons, we can support that too — but it is not a formal prerequisite for registration.