Licensing guide · 7 min read
How Much Does a Banking Licence Cost?
Separating capital from cost: what actually drives the budget for a regulated financial launch.
Updated 30/10/2026
People often quote a "cost" that mixes capital with expenditure. They are different things.
Capital is not a fee
Regulatory capital stays on your balance sheet (subject to losses). EU credit institutions need at least EUR 5 million initial capital; Swiss banks at least CHF 10 million; EU EMIs EUR 350,000.
Real costs
- Legal and advisory work for the application.
- Hiring a qualified board, management, compliance, risk and MLRO.
- Technology build or licensing and implementation.
- Audit, external reviews and IT security testing.
- Running costs while the application is under review.
Use our Startup Cost Calculator to separate capital from expenditure and see a transparent total under your own assumptions.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the competent authority.