Country guide · Europe

🇱🇹 Financial licensing in Lithuania

Bank of Lithuania authorises EMIs, PIs, specialised banks and MiCA CASPs.

Lithuania became a frequently used EU entry point for EMIs and payment institutions. Its central bank has publicly increased supervisory expectations on governance, AML controls and local substance in recent years. EU minimum capital rules apply.

Regulators

Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Authorises banks, EMIs, PIs and CASPs
Official website

Licence and authorisation types

Electronic money institution (EMI)

Lithuanian EMI

Regulator: Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Permitted activities: As EU EMI.
Minimum capital: EUR 350,000 (EMD2).
Ownership, management & substance: Bank of Lithuania expects genuine local management and AML functions.
Application procedure: Application to Bank of Lithuania.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: See EU EMI limitations.
Legal basis: Law on Electronic Money and Electronic Money Institutions

Crypto-asset service provider (MiCA CASP)

Lithuanian MiCA CASP

Regulator: Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Permitted activities: As MiCA CASP.
Minimum capital: As MiCA (EUR 50,000–150,000).
Ownership, management & substance: EU place of effective management.
Application procedure: Application to Bank of Lithuania.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: See MiCA.
Legal basis: MiCA