Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the CNB decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a payment license in the Czech Republic.
A precise Central European desk with real on-ramps: the Czech National Bank licenses e-money and payment institutions under Act 370/2017, with registration-based small-scale regimes underneath, and we file from our own Prague office.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Czech Republic in brief
Orderly, electronic, and sensibly staircased.
The Czech Republic licenses payment businesses through the Czech National Bank under Act No 370/2017 Coll. on Payment Systems, with the application machinery set by Decree 1/2022: mandatory forms, filing exclusively electronic - through a data mailbox or with a recognised electronic signature, and files assessed against the EBA's authorisation guidelines, which the CNB applies explicitly. The full tiers are the harmonised ones: €350,000 initial capital for an e-money institution, €20,000-€125,000 for payment-institution scopes, safeguarding, fit-and-proper testing to UBO level and a three-month window from a complete file.
Underneath sit the staircase regimes founders come for: the small-scale payment services provider - registration rather than licence, with volumes capped at a €3 million monthly average, and the small-scale e-money issuer, capped at €5 million outstanding. Both are Czech-market-focused, both upgrade to the full licence with track record, and both start supervised operations in a fraction of the time. Prague adds a 21% flat corporate tax, a deep technical talent pool, and one more thing no other desk on this list offers: our own office in Žižkov, from which we file. Realistic end-to-end: 8-14 months for the full licence; the file runs in Czech, and we draft it natively.
CNB licensing under Act 370/2017: €350,000 EMI (PI €20k-€125k), Decree 1/2022 forms, electronic-only filing, EBA-guideline assessment, Czech file.
The staircase: small-scale PSP (≤€3M monthly) and issuer (≤€5M float) by registration. We file from our own Prague office.
The two routes
Full licence - or the small-scale staircase.
One Act, two entries: the full EMI or PI with EU passporting, or registration-based small-scale regimes capped by volume. We fix the route first, then build once.
Full EMI/PI - or registration-based small-scale regimes capped by volume.
01 - FULL EMI / PI LICENCE
E-money & payment institutions
The flagship CNB authorisation: e-money issuance or the payment-services list, €350,000 EMI capital (PI tiers from €20,000), safeguarding and EU/EEA passporting. Filed electronically to the Decree 1/2022 forms.
The flagship CNB authorisation: e-money issuance or the payment-services list, €350,000 EMI capital (PI tiers from €20,000), safeguarding and EU/EEA passporting. Filed electronically to the Decree 1/2022 forms.
- ✓E-money issuance and distribution
- ✓Full PSD2 payment-services list
- ✓€350,000 EMI · PI €20k-€125k
- ✓Safeguarding of client funds
- ✓EU/EEA passport on notification
- ✓EBA-guideline-grade file
02 - SMALL-SCALE ROUTES
Registration, not licenceThe on-ramp regimes
The small-scale payment services provider (volumes to a €3M monthly average) and small-scale e-money issuer (float to €5M) start supervised, Czech-focused operations by registration. Then upgrade with track record.
Small-scale PSP ≤€3M monthly; issuer ≤€5M float; registration in weeks; upgrade path.
- ✓Small-scale PSP - ≤ €3M avg monthly
- ✓Small-scale issuer - ≤ €5M outstanding
- ✓Registration - weeks, not years
- ✓Czech-market focus by design
- ✓Upgrade path to the full licence
- ✓Same CNB registers and oversight
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. CNB administrative fees follow the statutory schedule; capital, safeguarding and substance costs are itemised in your quote.
Why the Czech Republic
A staircase inside a serious system.
The framework is EMD2/PSD2 under the central bank. With codified on-ramps and our own office in the capital.
✓
The small-scale staircase
Registration-based regimes at €3M monthly volumes or €5M float start supervised operations in weeks. A codified on-ramp most EU desks lack entirely.Registered revenue in weeks.
✓
Our own Prague office
Prifinance files Czech mandates from its own address in Žižkov. Local counsel, local presence, and a desk we work with continuously rather than episodically.We file from Žižkov.
✓
Electronic-only precision
Filing runs through the data-mailbox system to mandatory forms, assessed against the EBA guidelines the CNB names explicitly. The process is exact, which makes it plannable.Forms, data box, EBA guidelines.
✓
A central-bank stamp
The CNB authorises and supervises directly. Conservative, methodical, register-published, and its stamp carries weight across Central Europe.Methodical, register-published.
✓
Prague's talent economics
One of Europe's deepest technical talent pools at Central European cost, in a city international operators actually want to live in.Deep pool, CE prices.
✓
PSD3-ready files
With PSD3/PSR close to adoption, e-money folds into the unified payment-institution regime. We structure Czech files to convert rather than be rebuilt.Built to convert, not rebuild.
How it compares
How the Czech Republic differs from other routes.
Czechia pairs a codified on-ramp with central-bank order. The full comparison is below.
Czech Republic vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Czech Republic | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | Act 370/2017 - CNB | Same directives, other desks |
| Startup route | Small-scale PSP & issuer | Rare or absent |
| Filing | Electronic-only, to forms | Mixed |
| Timeline | 8-14 months realistic | 6-12 at specialised desks |
Regulatory regime
Czech RepublicAct 370/2017 - CNB
Other jurisdictionsSame directives, other desks
Startup route
Czech RepublicSmall-scale PSP & issuer
Other jurisdictionsRare or absent
Filing
Czech RepublicElectronic-only, to forms
Other jurisdictionsMixed
Timeline
Czech Republic8-14 months realistic
Other jurisdictions6-12 at specialised desks
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | EMI/PI (CNB) | 21% CIT | Czech file, small-scale on-ramp |
 Lithuania | EMI (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | CENTROlink, specialised desk |
 Slovakia | EMI/PI (NBS) | 10/21/24% CIT | Euro-native, limited-scope route |
 Poland | KIPE / KIP (KNF) | 19% · small 9% | Polish file, MIP on-ramp |
Czech RepublicLicense typeEMI/PI (CNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsCzech file, small-scale on-ramp
LithuaniaLicense typeEMI (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsCENTROlink, specialised desk
SlovakiaLicense typeEMI/PI (NBS)
Taxation10/21/24% CIT
RequirementsEuro-native, limited-scope route
PolandLicense typeKIPE / KIP (KNF)
Taxation19% · small 9%
RequirementsPolish file, MIP on-ramp
Before you apply
Requirements for the CNB authorisation.Requirements for the authorisation.
Decree 1/2022 publishes the forms and the CNB names the EBA guidelines it assesses against. The craft is answering both completely, in Czech. The checklist below is what a passing application contains.
01
Czech entity. An s.r.o. or a.s. with its head office and management in the Czech Republic.
02
Initial capital - €350,000 for the EMI, evidenced and paid in; €20,000-€125,000 for PI scopes.
03
Fit and proper management and holders. Competence, clean records and ownership transparent to UBOs.
04
Programme of operations. Services, volumes and three-year financials the CNB can interrogate.
05
Safeguarding. Segregated client-fund accounts or insurance, with documented reconciliation.
06
AML/CFT framework. KYC, monitoring and FAÚ reporting with a resident compliance officer.
07
IT and security documentation. Architecture, DORA-grade resilience and incident procedures.
08
Internal governance. Control functions, outsourcing register and conflicts procedures.
09
EBA-guideline mapping. The file structured against the authorisation guidelines the CNB applies.
10
Electronic filing. The complete application through the data mailbox, to the Decree 1/2022 forms, in Czech.
01
Czech s.r.o./a.s., managed locally.
02
€350,000 capital (EMI).
03
Fit & proper holders to UBOs.
04
Interrogable programme of operations.
05
Safeguarding with reconciliation.
06
AML with resident officer (FAÚ).
07
DORA-grade IT documentation.
08
Governance and outsourcing register.
09
EBA-guideline-mapped file.
10
Electronic filing, in Czech.
Reflects Act 370/2017, Decree 1/2022 and the CNB's published process as of 2026.Act 370/2017 + Decree 1/2022, as of 2026.
How it works
From first call to the CNB register.
01
Route and strategy
Full EMI/PI or small-scale first. We fix the route, capital and timeline in writing.Full or small-scale first - in writing.
02
Czech company and people
S.r.o. formation, capital evidence and the resident officers the CNB vets.S.r.o., capital, resident officers.
03
The application file
Programme, safeguarding, AML and IT documentation to the forms and EBA guidelines. Complete, in Czech, filed electronically.To the forms, electronic, in Czech.
04
CNB review
Three months from complete, methodical question rounds answered - 8-14 months realistic for the full licence.3 months statutory; 8-14 realistic.
05
Licence and launch
The register entry, passport notifications and the reporting calendar. Live from Prague.Register, passports, live from Prague.
Quick facts
RegulatorCNB
EMI capital€350,000
PI tiers€20k / €50k / €125k
Small-scale PSP≤ €3M avg monthly
Small-scale issuer≤ €5M outstanding
FilingElectronic only
Realistic timeline8-14 months full
PassportEU/EEA · full licence
The CNB assesses against named EBA guidelines on mandatory forms. Answering exactly that, in Czech, is the entire game. Our Prague office exists for it.
On the ground in Prague
Licensed from the city we work in.
Prifinance - Czech Republic
Prague · Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov, Prague
01
Czech company formation
S.r.o. incorporation, capital placement and the corporate layer the CNB expects. Structured for the licence from day one.S.r.o. + capital, structured for the file.
02
The CNB file - in Czech
Programme of operations, safeguarding design, AML pack and IT documentation drafted natively by our Prague team to the Decree 1/2022 forms, and defended through the rounds.Drafted natively by our Prague team.
03
Small-scale first where it fits
The registration regimes filed early. Supervised Czech operations and track record building while the full licence matures.Registered operations while licensing.
04
Substance and staffing
Resident directors, compliance officer and MLRO from Prague's deep talent pool. Assembled from our own office in the city.From our own office in the city.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of payment companies in the Czech Republic.
A flat, predictable 21% with Central European costs underneath, and a treaty network that punches above the country's size.
Corporate tax 21%
The flat rate on an EMI's fee and float income since 2024 - no municipal layers, no sector surcharges.Flat, no surcharges.
VAT-exempt payment services
Payment and e-money services are VAT-exempt financial services; the 21% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.21% only on ordinary supplies.
Dividends 15%
15% withholding on outbound dividends, reduced by treaties and eliminated intra-EU under the Parent-Subsidiary Directive for qualifying holdings.Treaty and EU-directive relief.
Prague payroll
Deep engineering and compliance talent at Central European rates. The operating base under the licence prices sensibly.Deep talent, CE rates.
A stable system
Czech corporate taxation moves rarely and telegraphs changes. Modelling survives the political cycle.Changes telegraphed, rare.
Treaty network 90+
One of the region's deepest treaty networks. Group structures above the Czech entity model cleanly.Region's deepest network.
Tax summary
Corporate tax21%
VAT on payment servicesExempt
Standard VAT21%
Dividend withholding15% · treaty/EU relief
Sector surchargesNone
Tax treaties90+
*Figures as of 2026 per the Financial Administration. Group and founder-level outcomes are modelled per structure.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Czech s.r.o., AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, licensed institution.
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Czech Republic · CNB
Launch your payment project in the Czech Republic with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from s.r.o. registration to the CNB licence, passporting and ongoing compliance - from our own Prague office.
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Is the Czech Republic the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Czech payment licences - what clients ask.
What licence does an e-money business need in the Czech Republic?+
An e-money institution authorisation from the CNB under Act 370/2017 - €350,000 initial capital, safeguarding and EU/EEA passporting - or a payment-institution licence at €20,000-€125,000 by scope. Small-scale registration regimes sit underneath both.
What are the small-scale regimes?+
Registration instead of licensing: the small-scale payment services provider (volumes to a €3 million monthly average) and the small-scale e-money issuer (float to €5 million). Czech-market-focused, supervised, fast to obtain, and they upgrade to the full licence with track record.
How long does licensing take?+
Three months from a complete application as the statutory window; realistic end-to-end 8-14 months for the full licence. The small-scale registrations run far faster. Completeness against the forms and EBA guidelines is our job.
How is the application actually filed?+
Electronically only - through the Czech data-mailbox system or with a recognised electronic signature, on the mandatory Decree 1/2022 forms. There is no paper route; the formality is real and we run it routinely.
What substance is expected?+
A Czech s.r.o. managed locally, resident fit-and-proper officers, AML reporting to the FAÚ, real safeguarding arrangements and DORA-grade systems documentation.
How are payment companies taxed?+
21% flat corporate tax, VAT-exempt payment services, 15% dividend withholding with treaty and EU relief, and no sector surcharges. The system is stable and models cleanly.
Does the licence passport across the EU?+
The full EMI and PI licences passport to every EU/EEA state. The small-scale regimes are Czech-focused by design - the on-ramp, not the destination.
Why does your Prague office matter?+
The file runs in Czech, the filing runs through Czech systems, and the CNB's question rounds reward local fluency. We draft natively and walk to the regulator - a practical edge measured in months.
What changes under PSD3?+
PSD3 and the PSR - provisionally agreed in November 2025 and close to formal adoption - fold e-money institutions into a unified payment-institution regime. Files we build now are structured to convert.
Why Czechia rather than Poland or Lithuania?+
Poland has the bigger home market; Lithuania has CENTROlink. Czechia has the cleanest staircase - registration in weeks, licence when ready - plus central-bank order and our own office running the file. Models that want to start now and license properly pick Prague.
What licence is needed?+
CNB EMI €350k / PI €20k-€125k.
Small-scale routes?+
PSP ≤€3M monthly; issuer ≤€5M float.
How long?+
3 months statutory; 8-14 realistic.
How is it filed?+
Electronically only - data box, forms.
Substance?+
Resident officers, real Czech ops.
Taxes?+
21% flat; VAT-exempt services.
Passport?+
Full licences yes; small-scale is CZ-only.
Your office?+
Our own, in Žižkov - we file from it.
PSD3?+
Agreed Nov 2025 - files convert.
Vs Poland?+
Their market; Czechia's cleaner staircase.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Czech route fits your project and what it will cost.
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Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Czech National Bank (CNB) or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.