Why get a payment/EMI license in United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom pairs FCA brand credibility with access to a large domestic market and sterling rails, including Faster Payments, all inside a mature fintech ecosystem of banking-as-a-service partners, investors, and talent. Tiered entry lets early-stage, low-volume firms start with a Small EMI or Small PI and step up to full Authorised EMI or API as they scale, in exchange for a rigorous, resource-intensive FCA review and a complete compliance build. Since Brexit, none of these authorisations carry an EU passport.
FCA brand credibility. An FCA authorisation is a globally recognised mark of regulatory standing that helps with partners, investors, and customers.
Large UK market. Direct access to a deep UK payments market and sterling rails, including Faster Payments, central to a domestic operation.
Mature fintech ecosystem. A rich ecosystem of banking-as-a-service partners, investors, and experienced payments talent to build and scale on.
Tiered entry points. Lighter Small EMI and Small PI regimes let early-stage, low-volume firms start before stepping up to full authorisation.
Room to scale. Full Authorised EMI and API regimes remove the volume thresholds, so firms can grow without a fresh licence category.
Open banking ready. A Registered Account Information Service Provider route supports account information services and open-banking propositions.
UK licence types and activities
We map your model to the correct FCA authorisation:
Authorised EMI (AEMI)
Issuing e-money (wallets, prepaid balances, stored value) plus payment services, with no volume cap and full requirements.
Small EMI (SEMI)
A lighter, threshold-limited e-money regime for low-volume firms operating only within the UK.
Authorised Payment Institution (API)
Executing payment services (accounts, transfers, card issuing/acquiring, money remittance) without issuing e-money.
Small Payment Institution (SPI)
A lighter registration for lower-volume payment services within the UK, with reduced requirements.
Registered AISP (RAISP)
Account information services under the open-banking framework, via a registration rather than full authorisation.
Safeguarding & Governance
Segregated client-fund safeguarding plus a UK presence, experienced UK-based senior management, and a compliance function.
Indicative Licence Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Authorised EMI, applicationFCA fee category 5. Non-refundable, paid via Connect at submission. | GBP 5,640 |
| Small EMI, applicationFCA fee category 3, for firms inside the small-EMI thresholds. | GBP 1,130 |
| Authorised Payment Institution, applicationCategory 4 (GBP 2,820) for money remittance, payment initiation and account information; category 5 (GBP 5,640) for the fuller payment services. | GBP 2,820 to GBP 5,640 |
| Small Payment Institution, registrationFCA fee category 3. | GBP 1,130 |
| Annual periodic feeCharged yearly under the relevant fee block (G.10 authorised EMI, G.11 small EMI, G.4 small PI) and scaled to regulated income, so it is quoted per firm rather than fixed. | Varies with income |
Source: FCA authorisation application fees, read on 3 October 2026. Licence fees only. They exclude company formation, compliance build, platform, payment, and audit costs, and our advisory fee, and they can change without notice.
Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.