Starting smartly with a PI, AFM, or UCF license—no guessing needed and no time wasted, was a lot of sense. If you’re thinking of opening a forex broker or payments business in the EU, Cyprus gives you a ready-made shortcut: buy a licensed CIF (Cyprus Investment Firm) right off the shelf. Now you can operate as soon as you buy it—whether aimed at STP (Straight Through Processing) for forex, or providing digital payment services under a PI, EMI, or AEMI license.
This isn’t just about leap-frogging through red tape. It’s about your business living inside an officially recognized, tax-efficient, EU-legal structure—with all the necessary licenses in hand. Let’s unpack what makes this such an appealing proposition—and how you can use it to your own best advantage.
Copy stop-off for forex and fintech
Cyprus is a powerhouse in the world of finance. Many people think of it as just another pretty tourist resort, but behind the scenes, it has morphed into a high-post for regulations for forex trading houses, investment firms, and companies handling payments online.
Key Advantages:
- CySEC Regulation: Under MiFID II, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulates the entire class of CIFs and imposes international European standards.
- EU Passporting: Any firm licensed in Cyprus can offer its services in any of Europe’s 30+ Economic Area countries without a different registration.
- Low Corporation Tax: Just 12.5%—one of the lowest in the EU.
- Established Infrastructure: The banking sector, lawyers, and accounting features geared for forex and fintech are all here—multi-lingual and rapid.
Under a ready-made forex broker Cyprus firm, many startups throw away 9-12 months just getting licensed.
What is a Ready-Made CIF?
A ready-made CIF is a type of Cyprus Investment Firm that has been pre-registered. It has already obtained authorization for specific activities—usually forex trading, portfolio management, information technology, and other miscellaneous financial services. This was known as ‘ISI’ or ‘Self-service’ before it was renamed in recent years.
Types of Licenses Included:
- Cyprus investment firm STP license (Straight Through Processing)
- PI license (Payment Institution)
- EMI license (Electronic Money Institution)
- AEMI license (Authorized EMI with EU passporting rights)
Instead of having to build everything from scratch—hiring directors, applying to CySEC, establishing compliance systems—you purchase an existing licensed firm. The license is thus already active.
What You Get with the CIF Package
When you buy a licensed CIF, you receive the following:
- Active CySEC license (STP, PI, or EMI license)
- Approved directors and AML/Compliance team
- Fully paid-up share capital at the Bank of Cyprus
- Operational manuals and internal policies (AML, KYC, risk)
- A legal entity with a clean history and verified structure
- Registered address and office presence in Cyprus
- Optionally, an operational bank account
In most cases, you will need to update the company name, branding, and ownership structure—but this can be accomplished quickly through legal channels without reapplying for the license.
What’s the Difference Between PI, EMI, and AEMI?
So if you are entering the payment space, it makes sense to understand the differences:
- PI (Payment Institution): Can execute payments, remittances, or direct debits. An ideal form of licensing for PSPs and gateways.
- EMI (Electronic Money Institution): Has all the rights of a PI plus the ability to issue e-Wallets, prepaid cards, digital money, etc.
- AEMI (Authorized EMI): A full EMI license with passporting in the EU. Authorized EMIs can operate across borders and are thereby seen as more credible than others.
The selection of the right structure depends on your business model. For instance, a forex-focused platform may only require an STP license, while a neobank startup might need an AEMI license.
The Cyprus Forex Licenses: Tier by Tier
CySEC has three main ranks depending on what your forex business is doing:
| License Tier | Capital Requirement | What You Can Do |
| Basic | €50,000 | Offer investment advice; you cannot touch client funds. |
| STP (Standard) | €125,000 | Order from Hui Hui, but can also hold client funds. |
| Market Maker (Full License) | €730,000 | Do it all yourself and add a counterparty with a trade—this gives maximum control and profits. |
The Cyprus investment firm STP (standard) license takes between €50,000 and €730,000, which makes it quite attractive to new entrants: powerful enough for growth but not enough that you also need your own market making.
First to Set Up a New Forex Company Versus Take Over a Ready-Made One
You can apply for a new license—but be prepared for:
- 6-12 months of paperwork
- Many complex documents
- At least three Cyprus-resident directors are needed, with one living in Cyprus
- Even before you apply, you need to find an office and hire compliance staff
- An interview with the regulators
- You will have to nestle between €50,000 and €730,000 into a Cypriot bank account
Alternatively, you can purchase a licensed CIF and begin trading in 30–60 days.
What’s Involved in the Transfer Process?
Buying a CIF is not just a case of handing over a piece of paper. It is a regulated purchase. Here’s an overview:
- Due Diligence: Review the CIF’s licensing scope, regulatory record, and financial state.
- Shareholder KYC: Paperwork for CySEC on new beneficial owners.
- New Directors: Depending on your plans, remove or maintain current management.
- Notify CySEC: Send them whatever papers they need.
- Rebrand: Redo name, domain, and sales point language.
This process can be handled on a turnkey basis by most providers: legal, tax, and compliance—you don’t need to have it all in-house.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost varies depending on whether you want a CIF or Cypriot Aerospace Research Laboratories and the age of your firm but generally falls within the following:
- CIF with PI license: €200,000–€400,000
- With an EMI/AEMI license: €350,000–€750,000+
Even when you add legal transfer fees, directorship changes, and the ongoing costs of audits and reports, it is still many times more cost-efficient than starting from zero.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Right Move for You?
If you are looking for an inexpensive and scalable outfit to get into forex or payment license in Europe the right way—with immediate credibility—a ready-made firm in Cyprus is a good bet. You can avoid unnecessary red tape, significantly cut down on compliance risks, and get off to a green start running under the full supervision of CySEC immediately.
Whether you’re launching a neobank, trading platform, or FX brokerage, Cyprus gives you global credibility with EU reach and tax efficiency.
Need help identifying or acquiring the right CIF? Specialists can take you through a complete and uninterrupted process from legal due diligence up to license activation.
What is the processing time for a new CIF license?
Normally 6–12 months. But buy a firm that is already licensed, and you can be operational—fully authorized—in weeks rather than months.
Does Cyprus offer tax incentives?
Yes. Cyprus has a flat 12.5% corporate income tax, among the lowest in the EU; it also has numerous double tax treaties and exemptions for non-residents.
What’s the difference between PI and EMI in Cyprus?
With a PI license, you can process payments. An EMI license lets you issue electronic money and provide digital wallets. An AEMI license also includes cross-border permissions (passporting) in the EU.