EMI licence

Obtaining an EMI License in the United Kingdom

Ready-made EMI companies in the United Kingdom

Key facts

Licence subtypes: AEMI (Authorized Electronic Money Institution) and SEMI (Small Electronic Money Institution)
State fee: Mandatory; included in the cost of obtaining the licence
Local substance: A real head office and administration in the UK, board meetings in the UK, managers with local residency or address

The EMI licence in the United Kingdom: what it is and what it offers

An EMI (Electronic Money Institution) licence permits activities tied to electronic payments, which keep growing in popularity. Regulators that supervise financial institutions issue it. In the UK, the licence lets a company act both as an electronic money issuer and as a payment service provider.

What the licence gives you

Companies holding an EMI licence can issue electronic money of their own and offer payment services with no need for traditional banks.
Client funds are kept safe and protected under the licence, which builds clients’ trust and loyalty.
UK licence holders can give clients a choice of payment methods, among them online and mobile payments and e-wallets.
Companies can accept and make financial transactions worldwide, in a range of currencies.
Compared with a banking licence, setting up an Electronic Money Institution calls for a smaller capital investment.
Beyond issuing electronic funds, the licence gives the right to create payment instruments and offer acquiring services.

Our experts know every aspect of getting an EMI licence in the United Kingdom. Work with us and you can be certain the licence will be obtained in line with all requirements and laws.

EMI licence types

Two kinds of licence are available in the United Kingdom:

AEMI (Authorized Electronic Money Institution)

Meant for companies whose payment transactions exceed 5 million euros a month. It permits activity across Europe, meets with a more favourable attitude from regulators, and gives more room to grow and to launch financial products.

SEMI (Small Electronic Money Institution)

Best for small firms expecting a turnover of no more than 3 million euros. A small electronic money institution may offer its services only inside the United Kingdom.

UK licensing involves state fees that must be paid; they are part of what obtaining the licence costs.

Conditions for EMI licence applicants

UK citizens and non-residents alike can obtain an EMI banking licence, as long as these conditions are met:

The company’s directors and managers need suitable education and experience, plus local residency or a local address.
The shareholder may be a UK citizen or a non-resident; neither local residency nor citizenship is required.
The firm is registered in British jurisdiction with a real head office there, and it is administered only from the United Kingdom. Board meetings take place in the country, and the CEO is a UK citizen.
Anyone applying to own an EMI licence must be 18 or older and hold documents proving income, a clean criminal record and no adverse media.
Foreign staff should not outnumber resident staff, and the resident director has the final say. Managers hold the relevant qualifications and have an impeccable business reputation.
The organisation keeps commercial accounts for its business activities with any reputable EEA bank.

Our experts know every rule and requirement to follow so that your UK EMI licence comes quickly and without needless expense.

Why work with Nimius Advisory’s experts?

Highly qualified people

We hold our staff to high standards: everyone on the team is a certified specialist, with wide experience of dealing with regulators.

A complete approach

Come to us for full advice and help in building a business from scratch, or for a thorough audit that makes an existing one more efficient.

Solutions made for you

Every task takes account of what the client needs, the specifics of their industry and the particular features of the relevant country’s law.

Jurisdictions under constant watch

We keep track of legislative changes in every jurisdiction we serve, so the solutions we offer are current and look ahead.

Many partner banks around the world

Thanks to our work with international banks, we can open accounts quickly in whatever jurisdiction you choose.

Ready-made EMI companies in the United Kingdom

EMI (Electronic Money Institution)NIM-10329

EMI Licensed Company in United Kingdom for sale

GBUnited Kingdom

UK EMI fully authorised by the FCA, sold with £400,000 of regulatory capital, its own technology, established banking infrastructure and a clean compliance history.

Price on request

EMI (Electronic Money Institution)NIM-10314

EMI Licensed Company in United Kingdom for sale

GBUnited Kingdom

Electronic Money Institution in the United Kingdom, authorised by the FCA, with a mature compliance framework, working payments infrastructure and an experienced team that is prepared to stay.

Price on request

EMI (Electronic Money Institution)NIM-10313

EMI Licensed Company in United Kingdom for sale

GBUnited Kingdom

An FCA-regulated Electronic Money Institution with audited accounts, an established banking relationship with OpenPayd and a clean regulatory status.

Price on request

View all licences for sale

Want to move past financial borders in today’s digital economy?

Nimius Advisory can open up wide opportunities for you. Get in touch and secure an EMI licence in the United Kingdom for your company.