Buy A Licence
Buy an EMI Licence — Acquire an E-Money Institution
Acquire an existing SEMI or AEMI licence to issue electronic money and provide payment services. Expert acquisition management.
Acquire an E-Money Institution Licence
An E-Money Institution (EMI) licence — whether a Small EMI (SEMI) or Authorised EMI (AEMI) — provides your business with the permissions to issue electronic money and provide payment services in the UK, making it one of the most sought-after regulatory licences in the fintech sector. Purchasing an existing EMI licence is frequently the fastest and most cost-effective route to market for businesses in the digital wallet, prepaid card, or payments-as-a-service space.
Acumen Global Compliance supports EMI licence acquisitions end-to-end — from identifying available licences and conducting thorough compliance due diligence on the target entity’s regulatory permissions, safeguarding arrangements, AML records, and FCA supervisory history, through to managing the FCA Change in Control process, advising on any required Variations of Permission, and establishing your post-acquisition operational compliance framework. Our team has extensive experience in EMI licence transactions and can guide you through every stage of the process with expert regulatory and commercial insight.
Key Facts
Who needs this
Firms wanting to issue e-money, digital wallets, or prepaid cards
Requirement
FCA Change in Control under Electronic Money Regulations 2011
Timeline
8–20 weeks depending on complexity
Price from
POA — premium acquisition
Get a Free Quote
- +44 (0) 207 096 2100
- +44 7852 806969
Buy EMI Licence
How We Help You Acquire an EMI Licence
Licence Sourcing
Source suitable SEMI or AEMI licences from our network.
Enhanced Due Diligence
Comprehensive due diligence covering regulatory, financial, and operational aspects.
Valuation
Fair valuation considering permissions, e-money volumes, and conditions.
FCA CIC Application
Manage the FCA Change in Control process end-to-end.
Capital & Safeguarding
Ensure capital adequacy (£350k for AEMI) and safeguarding compliance.
Full Integration
Post-acquisition compliance, banking, and operational setup.
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What's Included
EMI licence sourcing
Financial & operational due diligence
FCA CIC management
Safeguarding review and setup
Banking relationship support
Full regulatory due diligence
Licence valuation
Capital adequacy assessment
E-money compliance framework
180-day post-completion support
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between SEMI and AEMI?
Can I issue prepaid cards with an EMI licence?
What safeguarding is required for EMIs?
How long does EMI acquisition take?
What capital do I need?
Are EMI licences available to buy?
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Related Services
Buy API Licence
Acquire an Authorised Payment Institution.
Licence Due Diligence
Comprehensive buyer-side due diligence.
Post-Acquisition Setup
Post-acquisition compliance and AML.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free consultation to discuss your compliance needs with our specialist team.