Europe · Bank of Lithuania · MiCA CASP · EU-passportable
Lithuania Crypto Licence
The fastest serious route to a full EU crypto licence. A CASP authorisation from the Bank of Lithuania 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 Lithuania processes among the quickest in the EU, roughly three to six months. Vantegris builds the file, the AML and DORA framework, and the banking around it.
overview
Why Lithuania.
Lithuania has become the EU's most-used gateway for crypto authorisation. Under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), the old national VASP registration has been replaced by a single EU credential — the Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence — issued here by the Bank of Lithuania.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 speed with substance. The Bank of Lithuania runs one of the shorter CASP review queues in the EU (realistically three to six months on a complete file), the country already hosts a deep bench of crypto and fintech companies, and Lithuanian corporate tax is a competitive 15%. 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. This is not the light-touch registration Lithuania was known for before 2025 — it is a full EU licence, and we scope it as one.
advantages
Why operators pick it.
Serve all 27 member states from one licence under MiCA Article 65 — the single biggest regulated crypto market in the world.
The Bank of Lithuania has built capacity for CASP files; timelines beat most other EU regulators.
A mature fintech hub with EMI/PI neighbours, crypto-aware banking and a large specialist talent pool.
15% corporate tax, with a 5% reduced rate for qualifying small companies in their early years.
A Bank of Lithuania licence carries weight with banks, PSPs, auditors and institutional partners.
head to head
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 | Speed + deep fintech ecosystem | Lean digital-first setups |
who it's for
Built for these operators.
requirements
Eligibility & docs.
step by step
From zero to licence.
- Scope & classFix the CASP service classes you need, the matching capital tier and the governance and substance plan.1–2 weeks
- Company & capitalIncorporate the Lithuanian entity, fund the initial capital and stand up the local office and roles.3–5 weeks
- Build the fileDraft the programme of operations, AML/CFT, DORA ICT and safeguarding policies to Bank of Lithuania standard.4–8 weeks
- Application & reviewFile with the Bank of Lithuania and manage the review, questions and interviews to authorisation.3–6 months
- Passport & launchNotify 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.
pricing
Transparent packages.
- 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 — not the modest state application fee. We model capital, staffing and running costs against your service classes before you commit, so the number you plan around is the real one.
obligations
Compliance duties.
technical standards
Technology & IT.
after launch
We stay on after you're live.
market access
Reach & restrictions.
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.
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 — adds custody and exchange), or €150,000 (Class 3 — operating a trading platform). The capital sits in an EEA account and remains working capital of the business.
How long does the Lithuania crypto licence take?
Typically three to six months on a complete, well-prepared file. The Bank of Lithuania runs one of the shorter CASP review queues in the EU, but 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 is being replaced by the CASP licence; the transitional window for previously registered VASPs closes by 1 July 2026 (MiCA Article 143(3)). 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 hubs with identical capital tiers and full EU passporting. Lithuania offers the deeper fintech ecosystem and typically the fastest review; 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 July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
Free consultation
Start your Lithuania file.
Applied, approved and live across every vertical. Free, confidential, no obligation — most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.