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Lithuania: fintech & payments regulation

Regulated

Lithuania fintech regulation: BoL oversight under EU PSD2/EMD2 framework

Lead regulator:
Bank of Lithuania
Key law:
Law on Payment Services and Electronic Money (transposing EU PSD2/EMD2)
Last updated:
2026-07-12

The Bank of Lithuania serves as the primary supervisor for payment institutions and electronic money institutions operating in Lithuania. These entities must obtain formal authorization from the central bank to conduct regulated activities such as payment initiation and account information services.

Regulatory requirements include strict capital adequacy calculations defined by specific Board resolutions and mandatory professional indemnity insurance for institutions providing open banking services. The regulator actively enforces non-discriminatory access to bank accounts for fintech providers to ensure market fairness.

The regulatory environment is fully aligned with European Union directives, providing a stable framework for licensed fintech and payment service providers. Recent supervisory actions focus on operational resilience, insurance standards, and fair access to banking infrastructure.

Who regulates

  • Bank of Lithuania

    Primary supervisor for payment and electronic money institutions; grants authorizations and sets capital/insurance rules.

    [1][2][3][4]

Core laws & rules

  • Law on Payment Services and Electronic Money (2020)

    The core national legislation transposing EU Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) and Electronic Money Directive 2 (EMD2), establishing the legal basis for licensing and supervision of fintech entities.

    [4]

Licensing & registration

  • Payment Institution / Electronic Money Institution

    Authorization granted by the Bank of Lithuania is required to provide payment services or issue electronic money. The regulator maintains an official record of these authorizations.

    [4][3]

Restrictions & warnings

  • Payment and electronic money institutions providing PIS and AIS must hold professional indemnity insurance meeting minimum terms set by the Bank of Lithuania.

    [1]

  • Credit institutions must treat payment and electronic money institutions objectively, without discrimination or disproportionate barriers when providing account access services.

    [2]

Direction of travel

  • The regulatory stance remains supportive of fintech innovation within the EU framework, with active supervision on operational requirements like insurance and bank access.

    [1][2]

Sources

  1. Bank of Lithuania Position on Professional Indemnity Insurance for Payment and Electronic Money Institutions Providing PIS and AIS · 2022-03-01
  2. Position of the Bank of Lithuania on the right of electronic money institutions and payment institutions to access bank accounts opened with credit institutions · 2020-05-25
  3. Regulations for the Calculation of Initial Capital and Own Funds of Electronic Money Institutions and Payment Institutions · 2018-05-24
  4. Resolution on Authorisations Granted by the Bank of Lithuania to Electronic Money and Payment Institutions · 2009-12-24

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This guide is compiled automatically from 4 primary-source documents published by Lithuania's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.