Granting authorisations and licenses

The ACPR grants authorisations, licenses and registrations to institutions in the banking sector (credit institutions, investment firms, financing companies, payment institutions, electronic money institutions, etc.) and to organisations in the insurance sector (insurance undertakings, mutual insurance companies, provident institutions, etc.).

In the banking sector, the ACPR assesses authorisation applications submitted by credit institutions and forwards them to the European Central Bank (ECB), which has decision-making powers.

Obtaining a license (or an authorisation) enables institutions to carry out the activities for which the application was approved.

The European passport

Undertakings may also apply for a “European passport” in order to carry out business within the territory of another Member State of the European Union or in a country which is party to the European Economic Area Agreement. This process entails administrative formalities and exchanges between the ACPR and the competent authority of the host country.

Updated on the 25th of March 2025