A Payment Service Provider (PSP) license is a gateway to expanding financial amenities across the EU and EEA. Acquiring this license in any EU member state opens up a multitude of capabilities for establishments in the virtual, fintech, and monetary sectors. With fewer operational restrictions, it permits firms to engage in a complete range of solutions, suggesting seamless remittance operations for consumers across the region. The growing demand for virtual and online monetary amenities makes this type of licence a highly alluring prospect for financiers and investors looking to capitalize on the ever-expanding EU market.
What is the Purpose of the PSP License?
The primary purpose of this type of licence is to guarantee that financiers are lawfully authorised to assure remittance amenities within the EU/EEA area. This comprises provisions such as money remittance, e-payments, e-wallets, and merchant provisions. For both private clients and commercial units, this type of licence empowers access to secure and productive transaction methods, further fostering the growth of the European digital economy. By receiving this licence, firms not only comply with the EU’s monetary legislations but also gain the right to passport their provisions across the EU/EEA.
One of the most notable gains of holding this type of certification is that it grants establishments the ability to function freely within the entire EU/EEA market without needing to obtain multiple licenses from individual countries. This ‘passporting’ ability allows companies to provide their services in every member state under the same legislative scheme, significantly lowering operational costs and complexities.
Types of PSP Licenses
There are some sorts of this licence that organisations can acquire, contingent upon the nature and scope of their assistance:
- Full: This license permits organisations to offer a broad scope of e-payment solutions comprising money remittance, payment initiation, account information facilities, and e-wallet management.
- Limited: This certification is more restrictive and is typically granted to organisations that intend to suggest only cross-border remittance, such as monetary transactions or only transaction kick-off facilities.
- Authorised EMI License: An EMI certification is issued to organisations wishing to issue e-money. This type of certification is particularly relevant for firms in the fintech sector that suggest e-wallets and prepaid cards.
- Bank with Crypto Licence: Some jurisdictions allow firms to obtain a banking license that comprises the capability to involve in cryptocurrency amenities. This type of certification is highly sought after by organisations operating in the intersection of digital finance and cryptocurrency trading.
Legislations and Demands for Receiving a PSP License
Receiving this type of certification demands organisations to abide by particular legislative guidelines and meet certain monetary procedures. The workflow varies contingent upon the jurisdiction but generally involves the following steps:
- Commercial Strategy: The legislative supervisory organs demand a precise functional strategy covering the next three years, comprising monetary forecasts and strategies for conducting with threats.
- Equity Demands: Contingent upon the type of a licence, organisations ought to show evidence of equity. The demanded equity ranges from EUR 20,000 to EUR 350,000, based on the scale of functions and the type of provisions suggested.
- Risk Conduction and Obedience: Organisations ought to establish robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) protocols. This includes implementing Know Your Customer (KYC) measures and ensuring that all monetary transferring operations are lucid and obedient with EU legislations.
- Supervisory Validation: Each direction has its own supervisory unit responsible for issuing such certifications. In the EU, this is governed by the EU’s PSD2. Other regions, such as the UK, are governed by the FCA.
- Technology Standards: Firms must guarantee that their monetary transfer system fits the demanded technological standards for shielding and productivity. This may encompass investing in advanced tech issues for protected online transactions, fraud prevention, and data shielding.
Priority European jurisdictions for receiving PSP Licence
We assure consulting assistance for entrepreneurs desiring to receive this certification in several jurisdictions that offer business-friendly regulatory frameworks. These jurisdictions include:
- Lithuania: Known for its innovative “sandbox” lawful approach, Lithuania offers a smooth pathway for organisations desiring to enter the EU market. Many investors opt for receiving their PSP certification here due to its cost-effective legislative sphere.
- Estonia: Another popular direction for e-services, Estonia is a one of the first in e-governance and offers attractive terms for fintech firms and PSPs.
- Malta: Malta’s robust fintech ecosystem makes it a popular choice for businesses involved in the monetary industry and online transferring operations.
- Cyprus: Cyprus offers a flexible regulatory environment, making it a perfect location for organisations engaged in remittance process and monetary technologies.
How to Choose a Jurisdiction
Opting the right direction for receiving this type of certification is a vital decision that contingent upon some aspects:
- Legislative Sphere: Some directions, like Lithuania and Estonia, suggest a streamlined and efficient legislative process with lower operating costs. These jurisdictions are perfect for fintech projects and financiers searching to enter the EU trade rapidly.
- Trading Availability: If you plan to assure amenities across the EU/EEA, the ability to passport your certification to other participant states is a key consideration. Directions within the EU/EEA will allow you to tap into the Unified Market and benefit from the SEPA.
- Cost of Operation: Different jurisdictions have different operational costs, comprising fees for legislative compliance, equity requirements, and licensing. Countries like Lithuania and Malta are known for their competitive fees, which makes them attractive to businesses looking for cost-effective solutions.
- Crypto-Friendly Regulations: If your business involves cryptocurrency or digital asset provisions, jurisdictions with favorable crypto legislations, such as those allowing a Bank with Crypto Licence, should be prioritized.
What is Included in Our Services
At our firm, we provide end-to-end consulting assistance to help organisations receive this type of certification. Our assistance comprised:
- Legislative Guidance: We offer expert advice on navigating the legal and legislative scheme in different directions.
- Commercial Strategy and Equity Demands: We assist in getting ready a comprehensive commercial strategy plan and assist secure the necessary equity for your certification application.
- AML and KYC Obedience: We facilitate implementation of AML and KYC protocols to guarantee legislative obedience.
- Tech Integration: We guide businesses on integrating the latest fintech issues to meet industry standards for safety and productivity.
- Ongoing Support: We provide ongoing consultancy to ensure that your business remains obedient with the latest legislations.
At our firm, we understand the importance of having the right expertise and content to guide commercial activity through the complex process of obtaining a PSP license. Our team of associate is composed of seasoned consultants who bring years of experience in the financial and technology sectors. We work closely with each client to create tailored content that not only meets regulatory requirements but also positions your business for success in the European market. Whether it’s preparing your operational plan, drafting risk management strategies, or ensuring compliance with the latest fintech regulations, our associates are dedicated to delivering content that helps your business thrive in the competitive digital economy.
How Much Does a PSP License Cost?
The price of obtaining a PSP license varies contingent upon the jurisdiction and the type of provisions your business intends to offer. On average, businesses can expect to pay between EUR 10,000 and EUR 100,000 in regulatory fees, capital requirements, and consultancy charges. The cost of obtaining a Banking Licence or an Authorised EMI Licence may be higher due to additional regulatory requirements and capital obligations.
Our Advantages
By choosing our firm for your PSP licensing needs, you gain access to a wide range of advantages:
- Expert Consultancy: Our experienced consultants offer in-depth knowledge of the PSP licensing process across multiple jurisdictions.
- Time Efficiency: We help accelerate the licensing process, ensuring that you can start offering your services in the EU/EEA market as quickly as possible.
- Tailored Solutions: We provide personalized services that are tailored to the specific needs of your business, whether you’re a fintech startup or an established firm.
- Comprehensive Support: From obtaining your PSP license to maintaining compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements, we offer comprehensive support throughout your journey.
Conclusion
This type of licence is a powerful tool for any business looking to tap into the lucrative European payments market. Whether you’re looking to start a digital payments company or expand an existing operation, obtaining a PSP license allows you to offer a wide range of services to clients across the EU/EEA. By choosing the right jurisdiction and leveraging our expertise, you can navigate the licensing process efficiently and begin offering your services to millions of customers within Europe.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you acquire a PSP license and grow your business, get in touch with us today.