Lithuanian EMI and Payment Institution for Sale
Buying an existing Lithuanian electronic money institution (EMI) or payment institution (PI) gives you a Bank of Lithuania authorisation that can be passported across the EEA. Completion is conditional on the Bank of Lithuania approving the new owner.
What the licence permits
An EMI may issue electronic money and provide payment services such as payment accounts, transfers, card issuing and acquiring. A payment institution provides payment services but cannot issue e-money. Both are authorised by the Bank of Lithuania and a full licence can be passported to all EEA states. A small (restricted-activity) EMI or PI is limited to Lithuania and cannot be passported.
A full EMI must hold minimum initial capital of €350,000 and maintain own funds on an ongoing basis. Capital for a payment institution depends on the services it is authorised for and is lower than for an EMI.
Change-of-control approval
Anyone acquiring a qualifying holding (10% or more of capital or voting rights) must notify the Bank of Lithuania in advance and obtain its non-objection before completion. The regulator assesses the reputation and experience of the acquirer, the source of funds, the financial soundness of the acquisition and whether the institution will continue to meet its prudential and AML obligations. New board members and key function holders are assessed separately.
Typical timeline
Preparation of the notification usually takes several weeks. The Bank of Lithuania then has a statutory assessment period that pauses whenever it requests further information, so buyers should plan for a few months between signing and completion. That is generally shorter than the six to twelve months or more that a new application takes in practice.
What to check in due diligence
Live listings
3 active listings match this search. Every enquiry is handled under NDA.
Lithuanian EMI — Electronic Payment Institution (29 EEA Countries)
- Jurisdiction
- Lithuania
- License Type
- Electronic Payment Institution License
- Type
- Electronic Money Institution — Full Operations
Compliance verified
Lithuanian EMI — Electronic Payment Institution (27 EEA Countries)
- Jurisdiction
- Lithuania
- License Type
- Electronic Payment Institution License
- Type
- Electronic Money Institution — Full Operations
Compliance verified
Lithuanian Payment Institution — Visa BIN, MasterCard Principal, 22 EEA Countries
- Jurisdiction
- Lithuania
- License Type
- Payment Institution License
- Type
- Payment Institution (PI) — Live Infrastructure
Compliance verified
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Lithuanian EMI instead of applying for a licence?
Yes. Acquiring an existing authorised EMI or payment institution is a recognised route. Completion is conditional on the Bank of Lithuania not objecting to the change of control.
What capital does a Lithuanian EMI need?
A full EMI must hold minimum initial capital of €350,000 and maintain own funds on an ongoing basis. Payment institutions have lower requirements that depend on the services authorised.
Who approves a change of control of a Lithuanian EMI?
The Bank of Lithuania. Any acquisition of a qualifying holding of 10% or more must be notified in advance and assessed before completion.
What is the difference between an EMI and a payment institution?
An EMI can issue electronic money as well as provide payment services. A payment institution can provide payment services but cannot issue e-money.
Can a Lithuanian EMI operate across the EU?
A full Lithuanian EMI or PI licence can be passported to other EEA states. Small (restricted-activity) institutions are limited to Lithuania.