EU-passportable MiCA CASP from the Bank of Lithuania
Lithuania Crypto Licence
A full EU crypto licence from the Bank of Lithuania. A CASP authorisation under MiCA passports across all 27 EU member states on a notification basis, at €50,000–€150,000 capital depending on the services you run, and a complete file typically takes three to six months. Vantegris builds the file, the AML and DORA framework, and the banking around it.
What is the Lithuania crypto licence?
Under MiCA, Lithuania is a full-authorisation route rather than a volume hub: ESMA's register listed 6 authorised Lithuanian CASPs out of 376 EU-wide in our 18 October 2026 snapshot (see the EU MiCA CASP register data). Under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), the old national VASP registration has been replaced by a single EU credential, the Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence, issued here by the Bank of Lithuania. Once granted, it lets you offer crypto services into every EU member state on a notification basis, without applying licence-by-licence.
The appeal is a predictable process with substance. On a complete file we plan for three to six months with the Bank of Lithuania, the country already hosts a deep bench of fintech companies, and corporate tax is 17% (7% for qualifying small companies) from 2026. But MiCA is a real financial-services regime: you need genuine local substance, a resident-anchored management and AML function, initial capital of €50,000 to €150,000 depending on your service class, and a DORA-compliant ICT resilience programme. Lithuania used to be known for light VASP registrations; under MiCA it issues a full EU licence, and we scope the file as one.
Why operators pick Lithuania
Serve all 27 member states from one licence under MiCA Article 65, with one rulebook across the single market.
On a complete, well-prepared file we plan for three to six months from filing to authorisation.
A mature fintech hub with EMI/PI neighbours, crypto-aware banking and a large specialist talent pool.
17% corporate tax from 2026, or 7% for small companies with up to 10 employees and revenue up to €300,000, and 0% in the first two tax periods for qualifying new small companies.
A Bank of Lithuania licence carries weight with banks, PSPs, auditors and institutional partners.
Lithuania vs. Estonia (CASP)
| Criteria | Lithuania | Estonia |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Bank of Lithuania | Finantsinspektsioon (EFSA) |
| Regime | MiCA CASP | MiCA CASP |
| Min. capital | €50k–€150k by class | €50k–€150k by class |
| Passporting | EU-27 by notification | EU-27 by notification |
| Typical timeline | 3–6 months | 4–6 months |
| Best suited to | Deep fintech ecosystem | Lean digital-first setups |
Who the Lithuania crypto licence suits
Lithuania crypto licence requirements
How to get a Lithuania crypto licence
- Scope & class Fix the CASP service classes you need, the matching capital tier and the governance and substance plan. 1–2 weeks
- Company & capital Incorporate the Lithuanian entity, fund the initial capital and stand up the local office and roles. 3–5 weeks
- Build the file Draft the programme of operations, AML/CFT, DORA ICT and safeguarding policies to Bank of Lithuania standard. 4–8 weeks
- Application & review File with the Bank of Lithuania and manage the review, questions and interviews to authorisation. 3–6 months
- Passport & launch Notify host states for EU passporting, finish banking/PSP onboarding and go live. On approval
Not sure Lithuania is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Lithuania or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does a Lithuania crypto licence cost?
- Lithuanian company incorporation
- CASP application to the Bank of Lithuania
- Programme of operations & core policies
- Regulator liaison to authorisation
- Everything in Licence
- Full AML/CFT & MLRO framework
- DORA ICT resilience programme
- Capital arrangement & substance setup
- Everything in Turnkey
- Crypto-friendly banking & PSP introductions
- EU passport notifications
- Ongoing compliance & reporting support
The material commitments are the class-based initial capital (€50k–€150k, which stays in the business), local substance and the AML/DORA programme. The state application fee is modest by comparison. We model capital, staffing and running costs against your service classes before you commit, so the number you plan around is the real one.
Compliance obligations in Lithuania
Technical & IT standards in Lithuania
After you go live in Lithuania
Which markets a Lithuania licence reaches
A CASP licence passports across the EU/EEA by notification, but you still respect each market's local marketing rules and geo-block jurisdictions you are not authorised in — plus the United States, sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Lithuania crypto licence FAQ
What is a CASP licence in Lithuania?
A Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation issued by the Bank of Lithuania under MiCA. It replaced the old Lithuanian VASP registration and lets you provide crypto services across all 27 EU member states on a notification (passporting) basis under MiCA Article 65.
How much capital do I need?
It depends on the service class: €50,000 (Class 1, e.g. order reception/transmission, advice, execution, placing), €125,000 (Class 2, which adds custody and exchange), or €150,000 (Class 3, operating a trading platform). MiCA Article 67 treats that figure as a floor: you must hold the higher of it or a quarter of last year's fixed overheads (projected overheads in your first year), in own funds, an insurance policy or a combination.
How long does the Lithuania crypto licence take?
Typically three to six months on a complete, well-prepared file. Timelines depend on your service classes, documentation quality and how quickly review questions are answered.
Is a VASP registration still available?
No. Under MiCA the national VASP regime was replaced by the CASP licence. Lithuania chose a 12-month transitional period under MiCA Article 143(3), so the window for previously registered VASPs closed at the turn of 2026; the EU-wide outer limit of 1 July 2026 has also passed. New entrants apply directly for CASP authorisation.
Do I need local substance and DORA compliance?
Yes. MiCA requires genuine local presence (a Lithuanian company, qualified management, an MLRO) and, since 17 January 2025, a DORA-compliant ICT risk-management and incident-reporting framework. We build both as part of the engagement.
Lithuania or Estonia for a crypto licence?
Both are Baltic MiCA CASP routes with identical capital tiers and full EU passporting. Lithuania offers the deeper fintech ecosystem; Estonia suits lean, digital-first setups. We'll recommend based on your services, banking needs and timeline.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
- Bank of Lithuania — crypto-asset service providers (MiCA)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA) — EUR-Lex
- ESMA — List of MiCA grandfathering periods decided by Member States (Art. 143(3))
- ESMA — MiCA interim register of crypto-asset service providers
- State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) — corporate income tax changes from 2026
Start your Lithuania file.
Tell us your product and target markets and we will map the licence route. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.