An opportunity to get AEMI license in Portugal makes the country a preferred place for fintechs to launch business. This permit enables the enterprise to issue e-money while at the same time taking advantage of the EU passporting procedure through which one can offer financial services or products in other member states.
The process of getting an authorised electronic money institution license in Portugal continues to reflect European legislation, including PSD2, the EMD2, the RJSPME, and the DORA.
Overview of AEMI in Portugal
| Supervisory Authority | Banco de Portugal |
| Authorization Type | AEMI |
| Required Starting Funds | EUR 350,000 |
| Operational Scope | E-money issuance, payment offerings, card issuing, payment accounts, money remittance |
| Safeguarding | Client funds must be segregated or otherwise safeguarded in accordance with local law |
| Processing Time | Varies depending on the completeness and complexity of the request |
| Key Personnel | Fit-and-proper directors, AML/MLRO and compliance officers, with effective management established locally |
Requirements for AEMI license in Portugal
Obtaining such status involves much more than registering a business. The supervisory authority examines how the institution will operate in practice, whether its management possesses sufficient expertise, and whether the proposed structure can support secure and sustainable business activities.
A typical application should demonstrate:
- incorporation of a local legal entity with its effective management located in the country;
- a transparent ownership structure identifying all ultimate beneficial owners;
- experienced directors and senior managers who satisfy the fit and proper assessment conducted by the supervisory authority;
- a detailed business plan describing the proposed activities, customer profile, projected development, and operational strategy;
- governance policies covering risk oversight, decision-making, and corporate management;
- safeguarding arrangements ensuring that clients’ funds remain protected in accordance with local legislation;
- AML / CTF procedures;
- secure IT infrastructure, cybersecurity controls, business continuity planning, and incident response procedures consistent with DORA.
Preparing documentation is only one part of the process. Every section of the application should present a consistent picture of how the institution intends to operate after authorization.
Advantages of AEMI License in Portugal
The country offers several practical benefits for businesses entering the European payments sector.
Among the main advantages are:
- the possibility of expanding into other EEA countries through passporting after completing the notification procedure;
- supervision by Banco de Portugal, a respected European central bank;
- legislation aligned with EU directives, making cross-border expansion more straightforward;
- a growing fintech ecosystem supported by experienced legal, technology, and business professionals;
- competitive operating costs compared with several other European markets;
- modern digital infrastructure and a multilingual workforce.
The country has also earned a reputation as a stable location for long-term business development. Many founders choose this state not only to obtain AEMI license in Portugal but also to establish their European operational headquarters.
Stages to get authorised e-money license in Portugal
Although every project is different, the authorization procedure in general goes through the following stages:
- Setting up a local legal entity.
- Drafting the company’s documentation and setting out the governance policies.
- Elaborating the business plan along with financial forecasts.
- Preparing the AML, safeguarding, cybersecurity, and operational files.
- Forwarding the authorization request to the supervisory authority.
- Delivering more documents if so demanded during the procedure.
- Getting the license and completing the registration formalities prior to launching business activities.
After getting the authorization, financial firms must adhere to the regulatory changes, reporting their activities on a regular basis, and making sure that the company’s operations meet all the Portuguese and European rules.
Taxation
An AEMI established in this country is generally subject to the local corporate tax system.
The principal tax considerations include:
- CIT;
- municipal surtax where applicable;
- possible state surtax depending on taxable profits;
- VAT treatment based on the nature of each activity, as certain payment transactions may qualify for exemption;
- accounting, reporting, and transfer pricing obligations where relevant.
Since taxation within the payments sector depends on the precise business structure and the activities performed, professional tax planning is strongly recommended before operations begin.
How much does one have to pay to get the permit?
There is no fixed price for establishing such an organization because each project differs in complexity.
The total investment generally includes:
- incorporation expenses,
- legal support,
- preparation of application documents,
- governance policies,
- AML documentation,
- IT infrastructure,
- cybersecurity implementation,
- accounting assistance,
- staffing qualified management personnel.
In practice, building an institution capable of meeting supervisory expectations usually represents the largest part of the overall budget.
Our Assistance
Eternity Law International offers end-to-end legal support whether a client wants to establish or buy authorised e-money institution in Portugal. We assist with business incorporation, preparation of application documents, development of governance and AML policies, communication with the regulator, and ongoing guidance after authorization. Our team develops tailored solutions designed to simplify the process and support the long-term growth of your business within the European market.
FAQ
Is it possible to buy AEMI license in Portugal for sale?
A ready-made AEMI license in Portugal cannot be acquired separately. However, one has the opportunity to buy a company with AEMI license in Portugal. Such a transaction is subject to due diligence, and any change of ownership may require approval from the regulator before completion.
Who grants an AEMI authorization in Portugal?
Authorizations are granted by Banco de Portugal, the country’s central bank and the competent authority responsible for supervising payment institutions and EMIs.
How long does the authorization process take?
There is no fixed timeframe. The overall duration depends on the quality of the submitted documentation, the complexity of the project, and whether additional information is requested during the review.
What activities can an AEMI in Portugal for sale carry out?
It may issue e-money and provide payment-related activities permitted under local law, including payment account management, payment transaction execution, card issuance, and money remittance.