Swiss FinTech Licence Requirements
The Swiss FinTech licence requirements come down to three things: sufficient capital, a compliant organisation — and a governance team with real substance in Switzerland. This page summarises the requirements under Art. 1b of the Swiss Banking Act.
Or 3% of public deposits, whichever is higher.
Public deposits may not be invested and bear no interest.
In practice, FINMA expects one board member and two executive managers resident in Switzerland.
The Team FINMA Expects
In its licensing review, FINMA assesses whether board members and executive management provide the guarantee of irreproachable business conduct («fit and proper»): relevant industry experience, a clean track record, and sufficient capacity for the Swiss entity. FINMA expects task-specific experts rather than generalists — the wrong profile at the wrong post is one of the most common reasons applications stall.
Overall responsibility, business strategy and the direct relationship with FINMA.
Capital planning, financial reporting and audit-ready accounts.
AML/KYC framework, risk management and internal controls.
Core systems, cybersecurity and SIC/SNB connectivity.
Regulatory-compliant client acquisition and market growth.
Our network across the Swiss fintech ecosystem covers every key role. Where suitable, we open doors and introduce you to seasoned professionals from this network. Any engagement is agreed directly between you and the respective expert — we advise on the profiles FINMA expects as part of our Swiss FinTech licence support, and you choose your team.
Beyond the Team: What Else FINMA Requires
Alongside capital and governance, the Swiss FinTech licence requirements include a compliant organisation appropriate to the business model:
- A Swiss company (AG or GmbH) with its registered office and actual business activities in Switzerland
- AML/KYC processes and controls compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering Act, under direct FINMA supervision
- Risk management, internal controls and a documented Operations Manual
- Secure IT infrastructure, data protection and connectivity to SIC and the SNB
- A regulatory audit firm and precise, ongoing FINMA reporting
- Client disclosure that deposits are not covered by Swiss deposit protection
Frequently Asked Questions
How much capital is required for a Swiss FinTech licence?
The minimum capital is CHF 300,000 or 3% of public deposits, whichever is higher. It must be fully paid in.
Do board members and managers need to live in Switzerland?
In practice, yes: FINMA expects at least one board member and two executive managers to be resident in Switzerland.
How long does a Swiss FinTech licence application take?
With complete, audit-ready documentation, a FINMA FinTech licence application typically takes 6–12 months from submission to approval.
Meet the Requirements from Day One
We structure your company, capital and governance so your application meets all Swiss FinTech licence requirements before FINMA reads the first page — one partner from setup to approval.