MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 — In force since December 2024
VASP→CASP Transition Deadline: 1 July 2026
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Get Your European Crypto License Under MiCA 2026

Navigate the new EU crypto regulation with confidence. We deliver end-to-end MiCA CASP License authorization across European crypto licenses by country — from Poland and Lithuania to Germany and Malta. One EU license, 27 markets.

140+ Successful Licenses
35+ Jurisdictions
7 Years Experience
96% Approval Rate
Warsaw skyline — Poland is one of Europe's fastest EU crypto license jurisdictions
140+
Successful EU Crypto Licenses
35+
European Jurisdictions Covered
7 Yrs
In European Crypto Licensing
96%
License Approval Rate

What Is a Crypto License in Europe?

Since December 2024, every company providing crypto-asset services to EU clients must hold a CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorization under MiCA — Regulation (EU) 2023/1114. MiCA replaced the fragmented patchwork of national crypto laws with a single, unified EU framework — the first of its kind globally.

A European crypto license under MiCA covers ten categories of service: operating a trading platform, exchanging crypto for fiat, custody, portfolio management, transfer services, order reception and transmission, placing crypto assets, and more. Each service type carries specific capital, governance, and compliance requirements.

The most powerful feature of a MiCA CASP license is EU passporting: authorize once in any EU member state, and you can passport your services to all 27 EU countries with a simple notification — no separate national licenses required. For companies operating or planning to operate across the EU, this is a fundamental commercial advantage.

Companies that held VASP registrations before December 2024 must complete the VASP-to-CASP transition by 1 July 2026. Operating beyond that date without a CASP authorization constitutes a regulatory breach across the entire EU.

// MiCA Key Dates
1
June 2023
MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 published in the EU Official Journal
2
June 2024
Title III & IV (stablecoins) apply — EMT and ART issuers must comply
3
December 2024
Full MiCA application — all CASP services require authorization
4
1 July 2026
VASP transitional period ends — all operators need full CASP authorization

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European Crypto License Options

Whether you're applying for a fresh CASP authorization, acquiring a ready-made entity, or building your compliance program from scratch — we cover every path to a European crypto license.

EU Crypto Licenses by Country

Eight priority jurisdictions for CASP authorization. Each offers EU passporting rights, with varying timelines, capital thresholds, and regulator expectations.

View All 35+ European Jurisdictions
EU Parliament Strasbourg — MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 changed European crypto licensing

Why MiCA Changed Everything for Crypto Businesses

Before MiCA, operating a crypto business across Europe meant navigating 27 different national regimes — each with its own rules, regulators, and timelines. Germany required BaFin crypto custody licenses. France had its own PSAN regime. Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland each ran national VASP registrations under divergent FATF-transposition laws.

MiCA ended this fragmentation. From December 2024, a single MiCA CASP License issued by any EU national regulator unlocks access to all 27 EU member states through the EU passporting mechanism. A company authorised in Poland can passport its services to France, Germany, Italy, and Spain without separate applications in each country.

For crypto businesses, the implications are significant. Regulatory arbitrage within the EU is now structured and legal: you can choose the jurisdiction that best fits your timeline, capital position, and operational model. The compliance burden is harmonised — one standard, not 27 — while market access is maximised.

The transition from VASP to CASP is not optional. Companies operating on pre-MiCA national registrations must complete their VASP-to-CASP transition before 1 July 2026. Our team has guided 140+ businesses through European licensing since 2019 — including the full MiCA transition cycle.

Need EU crypto company formation before applying? Our Vilnius and Tallinn offices handle incorporation, registered address, and local directorship requirements across the Baltic jurisdictions and beyond.

Explore the MiCA CASP Guide

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Our MiCA experts have delivered 140+ licenses across 35+ European jurisdictions. Tell us your business model and target market — we'll identify the optimal jurisdiction and map your fastest path to authorization.

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Frequently Asked Questions About EU Crypto Licensing

Common questions about MiCA, CASP authorization, costs, timelines, and how to get a crypto license in Europe. Can't find your answer? Contact our team.

What is a crypto license in Europe under MiCA?
A European crypto license under MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) is a formal CASP authorization issued by a national competent authority in an EU member state. It grants the legal right to provide crypto-asset services — including trading, exchange, custody, and portfolio management — across all 27 EU countries via the EU passporting mechanism. Without a valid CASP authorization, offering crypto services to EU clients is a regulatory offence since December 2024.
Which EU country is best for getting a crypto license?
The optimal jurisdiction depends on your business model, budget, and timeline. Poland (KNF) offers some of the fastest timelines (2–4 months) with pragmatic regulatory approach. Lithuania (FCIS) has deep experience with crypto businesses and a supportive FinTech ecosystem. Estonia (FIU) suits companies wanting a digital-first regulator. Germany (BaFin) and Malta (MFSA) carry the highest prestige for institutional-grade operations. Contact us for a personalised jurisdiction assessment.
How long does it take to get an EU crypto license?
Under MiCA, national regulators have 25 working days to declare an application complete, followed by a 3-month formal review period. In practice, total timelines vary by jurisdiction: Poland and Lithuania typically complete in 3–5 months; Estonia in 3–6 months; Germany and Malta in 6–12 months. Preparation time (documentation, company formation, policies) adds 4–8 weeks. Ready-made licensed companies offer the fastest route to market.
What is the difference between a VASP and a CASP license?
VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) was the pre-MiCA term used under FATF guidelines and national transposition laws across Europe. CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) is the new EU-harmonised term introduced by MiCA. All existing VASPs in the EU must complete the VASP-to-CASP transition by 1 July 2026. The CASP framework is more comprehensive: it covers 10 specific service categories, requires higher governance standards, and — critically — provides EU-wide passporting rights that national VASP registrations never offered.
What does EU passporting mean for a CASP license?
EU passporting allows a CASP authorized in one EU member state to provide crypto-asset services across all 27 EU countries without obtaining separate licenses in each jurisdiction. The process involves notifying your home regulator and the target country's competent authority. Passporting significantly reduces compliance costs and market entry time for pan-European crypto operations — and is one of the most commercially important features of MiCA CASP authorization.
How much does a European crypto license cost?
Costs vary by jurisdiction and scope of services. State fees range from €500 (some Baltic states) to €50,000 (Germany, Malta). Professional services — legal preparation, compliance documentation, application management — typically add €10,000–€60,000. Minimum capital requirements under MiCA range from €50,000 (most basic CASP services) to €150,000 (custody and trading platforms). Total first-year investment is typically €30,000–€120,000. We provide a detailed cost estimate as part of our free initial consultation.
Do I need a physical office in the EU to get a crypto license?
Under MiCA, CASPs must have their registered office in an EU member state and demonstrate genuine business substance there. The specific requirements vary by country — some regulators require a local director and physical premises, others accept a registered address with remote management under a substance plan. Our offices in Düsseldorf, Vilnius, and Tallinn support clients with local directorship, registered address services, and substance documentation. We also assist with EU crypto company formation across all priority jurisdictions.
What is a ready-made crypto company?
A ready-made crypto company is a pre-incorporated — sometimes pre-licensed — legal entity available for immediate acquisition and transfer to your ownership. Buying a ready-made crypto company saves 2–6 months compared to incorporating and applying from scratch. We maintain a portfolio of clean, fully documented ready-made entities in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and other EU jurisdictions, with verified compliance histories and transferable regulatory standing.
When is the VASP-to-CASP transition deadline?
The VASP-to-CASP transition deadline is 1 July 2026. Companies that held national VASP registrations before MiCA's full application date (30 December 2024) may continue operating under transitional provisions until that date, provided they submit a CASP application in time. After 1 July 2026, operating without a valid CASP authorization is a regulatory breach across the entire EU. We recommend beginning the transition process at least 6–8 months before the deadline to allow sufficient preparation and review time.
What services does Crypto License Europe provide?
We provide end-to-end European crypto licensing services from our offices in Düsseldorf, Vilnius, and Tallinn: jurisdiction selection and strategy, EU crypto company formation, CASP license application preparation and submission, AML/KYC policy drafting, DORA compliance, CASP service type mapping, ready-made licensed company acquisition, ongoing compliance and legal services, and EU passporting notifications. Since 2019, we have completed 140+ licenses with a 96% approval rate across 35+ European jurisdictions. Read our latest guides on the crypto licensing blog.