Quick Facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| License name | FINMA Fintech License |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Regulator | FINMA |
| What it covers | Banking-light license — accept deposits up to CHF 100M |
| Minimum capital | CHF 300,000 |
| Timeline | 6–9 months |
What is the FINMA Fintech License?
The FINMA Fintech License is a regulator authorisation issued by FINMA that allows a regulated entity in Switzerland to provide the services covered by the regime. Mid-tier Swiss authorisation.
Who needs a FINMA Fintech License?
Operators offering services that fall within the activity definition supervised by FINMA. The activity scope captures banking-light license — accept deposits up to chf 100m — and you should treat anything within or adjacent to that scope as caught until the structure has been opined on.
How the FINMA Fintech License application works
The application is run as a structured five-stage workstream: scoping and gap analysis, incorporation and substance, AML/KYC programme drafting, regulator submission and RFI cycles, and post-licence onboarding. Total time from kickoff to authorisation is 6–9 months.
Cost of the FINMA Fintech License
The total first-year cost combines: regulator fee, statutory capital tied up at CHF 300,000, legal fees confirmed at engagement, substance (resident director, office, AML officer where required), and the first year of ongoing supervision. We provide a fixed-scope quote at engagement so the number is not a moving target.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Mismatched substance. Paper directors and serviced offices are detected at first examination. Substance must be substantive;
- Generic AML programmes. FINMA reads policies as a competency signal — generic templates are visible;
- Banking afterthoughts. A licence without a bank account is a paperweight. Banking is part of the engagement, not bolted on after authorisation;
- Ignoring the year-one supervision burden. Authorisation is the start. Annual audit, AML refresh and material-change notifications are calendared from day one.
Frequently asked questions
What does the FINMA Fintech License cover?
The FINMA Fintech License authorises banking-light license — accept deposits up to chf 100m. It is supervised by FINMA. Mid-tier Swiss authorisation.
What is the timeline for the FINMA Fintech License?
Typical timeline is 6–9 months from kickoff to authorisation. Variance comes from RFI cycles and the quality of the application file at submission, not from the published schedule.
What is the minimum capital for the FINMA Fintech License?
Statutory capital is CHF 300,000. Capital is one input — substance, governance and the AML programme usually drive the application outcome more than the capital line on its own.
How does the FINMA Fintech License fit alongside other Switzerland licences?
Most operating models in Switzerland combine FINMA Fintech License with one of the other available regimes — see the full list on the Switzerland page.
Who supervises FINMA Fintech License authorisation in Switzerland?
FINMA is the supervising authority. The same regulator handles ongoing supervision after authorisation, including annual returns and material-change notifications.