EMI Licence for Sale
The fastest path to issuing IBANs and operating payment accounts is acquiring an existing EMI-licensed entity. We offer licensed e-money institution transfers in Lithuania, UK, and Georgia — with IBAN issuing capacity, safeguarding infrastructure, and full AML/KYC compliance documentation.
Fastest Path to Issuing IBANs
An EMI (Electronic Money Institution) licence is the regulatory foundation for issuing electronic money accounts, IBANs, and payment services. A Lithuanian EMI can issue SEPA IBANs and passport payment services across all EU member states. A UK FCA EMI can operate in the UK market. A Georgian NBG-licensed EMI provides payment services in Georgia and access to certain CIS markets.
Fresh EMI licence applications are among the most demanding and time-consuming regulatory processes in financial services. Lithuania requires 6–12 months; the UK FCA takes 12–24 months with no guarantee of approval. During that period, you cannot issue accounts or accept deposits. For businesses with urgent IBAN issuance or payment processing requirements, a ready-made EMI is almost always the faster and more reliable option.
The ongoing capital requirement for an EMI is also significant (€350,000 minimum for a Lithuanian EMI). When buying a licensed entity, you take on these capital requirements — but you avoid the upfront regulatory preparation and waiting time costs of a fresh application.
EMI Licence Jurisdictions Available
| Jurisdiction | Regulator | Licence Type | EU Passporting | Transfer Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Bank of Lithuania | EMI (Full) | Yes — all EU/EEA | 4–6 weeks |
| 🇬🇧 UK | FCA | Authorised EMI | No (post-Brexit) | 6–10 weeks |
| 🇬🇪 Georgia | NBG | Payment Service Provider | No (non-EU) | 2–4 weeks |
Lithuanian EMI — Most Versatile for Crypto/Fintech: A Lithuanian EMI licence can issue IBANs across all EU/EEA countries via SEPA, passport services into all EU member states, and combine EMI authorisation with VASP registration for crypto-related payment services. Lithuania has the largest concentration of EMI-licensed fintechs in the EU and the most experienced support ecosystem.
IBAN Programme & BIN Sponsorship
Owning an EMI licence does not automatically result in operational IBAN issuance — you need to establish the technical and banking infrastructure. After transfer, we assist with:
IBAN Programme: Connection to a SEPA-accessible settlement bank or the local central bank payment system. Lithuanian EMIs typically connect to the Bank of Lithuania's CENTROlink SEPA gateway or use a correspondent bank for settlement. Georgia NBG licensees connect to the Georgian interbank payment system.
BIN Sponsorship: To issue Visa or Mastercard-branded cards, you need a BIN (Bank Identification Number) sponsorship arrangement from a principal member of the relevant scheme. We have introductions to BIN sponsors for both Lithuanian and UK EMI operators.
Visa/Mastercard Membership: Large-scale EMIs may seek direct membership of Visa or Mastercard rather than sponsorship. This requires meeting volume thresholds, capital requirements, and technical certification. We advise on the timeline and requirements for scheme membership.
Transfer Package — Full Service
- Licensed EMI corporate entity (certificate, MOA/AOA, registers)
- EMI licence certificate (original)
- Change of directors and shareholders documentation
- Regulator change-of-control notification (Bank of Lithuania / FCA / NBG)
- Updated AML programme (safeguarding policy, KYC procedures, risk assessment)
- Existing compliance function handover documentation
- IBAN programme setup assistance post-transfer
- BIN sponsorship introductions
- Full AML/KYC due diligence report on entity prior history
- 12-month compliance calendar and regulatory deadline tracker
EMI Licence Metrics in 2026
EMI Licence Cost Structure (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Enquire About EMI Licences
Tell us your jurisdiction preference and operational needs. We will provide current availability and pricing within a few hours.
Enquire Now →Practical Licensing Insight
- Application success rates vary significantly by jurisdiction — well-prepared applications with complete documentation have 2-3x higher approval rates.
- Budget 20-30% above the published government fees for legal support, compliance setup, and local representation.
- Banking access is typically the longest lead-time item — start bank due diligence in parallel with the licence application.
Based on CryptoLicenses.net consulting data, 2024-2026
Ready to Get Licensed?
Tell us about your project and we'll identify the right jurisdiction, outline the requirements, and give you a realistic cost estimate — at no charge.
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