Payment Institution Licence in Germany
EU-wide passporting, largest EU economy. BaFin regulated. Capital from €20k to €125k. Typical timeline 6 to 12 months.
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Tell us the business, the markets and your timing. Every enquiry is answered the same business day, with a written proposal: the licence, the requirements, the cost and the timeline.
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Why Germany for Your Payment Institution Licence?
Germany provides access to Europe's largest consumer market and a mature financial services ecosystem. Frankfurt is a major European financial hub.
Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) oversees payment institution licensing. As the EU's largest economy, Germany offers significant commercial opportunities.
Licence requirements
Detailed requirements
PSD2 capital requirements. BaFin expects robust governance, comprehensive AML frameworks, and meaningful local substance. German-language documentation may be required.
Application process
Regulatory Strategy
We assess your business model and regulatory position to develop a clear licensing strategy.
Business Plan
We prepare a comprehensive business plan meeting the regulator's expectations.
Programme of Operations
Detailed programme of operations covering governance, compliance, and operational arrangements.
Compliance Framework
Full AML/CFT framework, compliance monitoring programme, and risk management policies.
Application Submission
We compile and submit the complete application package to the regulator.
Regulator Review
We manage all regulator communications and information requests during the review period.
Authorisation
Upon approval, we support your transition to live operations.
Process detail
6 to 12 months. BaFin is thorough and systematic in its approach.
Germany vs United Kingdom
| Criteria | Germany | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | €20k to €125k | £20k to £125k |
| Timeline | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months |
| Regulator | BaFin | FCA |
| Key Feature | EU-wide passporting, largest EU economy | UK market access: no EEA passporting post-Brexit |
Related services
Licensing & Authorisation
Full-service licensing advisory from strategy to authorisation.
Compliance Support
Ongoing compliance frameworks tailored to your regulatory obligations.
Financial Crime
AML, KYC and financial crime prevention programmes.
Ready to get started?
Every enquiry is answered the same business day, with a written proposal.
Speak to a licensing expertFrequently asked questions
The capital requirement for a payment institution licence in Germany is €20k to €125k. PSD2 capital requirements. BaFin expects robust governance, comprehensive AML frameworks, and meaningful local substance. German-language documentation may be required.
The typical timeline for a payment institution licence in Germany is 6 to 12 months. 6 to 12 months. BaFin is thorough and systematic in its approach.
Germany provides access to Europe's largest consumer market and a mature financial services ecosystem. Frankfurt is a major European financial hub.
After receiving your payment institution licence in Germany, you must maintain ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements including safeguarding of customer funds, regular regulatory reporting, maintaining adequate capital, updating AML and compliance frameworks, and cooperating with supervisory reviews and inspections.
Most jurisdictions require local substance for a payment institution licence. In Germany, you will typically need a registered office, at least one locally resident director, and potentially additional operational staff. We can advise on the exact requirements and help you establish the minimum viable local presence.
Yes, a payment institution licence obtained in Germany provides EU-wide passporting rights across all EEA member states. This allows you to operate across 30 European countries from a single authorisation.