EU passporting explained
How EU passporting works
If a company has a financial license in one European Economic Area (EEA) nation, it can use that license to serve you in any other EEA country, without applying for a new full license everywhere it operates. The EEA includes all EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. You'll see these rights in areas like payments, e-money, or crypto companies designed under rules such as the payments directive, e-money directive or the MiCA crypto law.
Supervision stays with the firm's home regulator. Sometimes the local regulator (in your country) may require extra checks or rules, maybe focused on how the company deals with users or handles complaints, but that depends on the type of product. Passporting just means the regulator in the company's home country informs local authorities, so a single firm might operate all across the EEA using just one home license. To understand what regulators do in practice, we explain this in detail at what a financial regulator does.
Who supervises the firm and handles complaints
For a passported company, the home state's regulator is responsible for its main licensing and financial oversight. If you need to complain, start with the business itself. If you aren’t satisfied, you can reach out to the company's home regulator, a local ombudsman or dispute resolver, or turn to FIN-NET, which links up EEA dispute bodies for cross-border problems.
Always check which legal entity you’re signing up with. Some groups have several branches, your contract will specify which company, and that name determines the regulator handling oversight (and which rules protect you, say if you need to check if client money is safeguarded).
What changed for UK firms
EU passporting doesn’t apply to the UK anymore. Since the United Kingdom left the EU, UK-licensed companies can’t use passporting to offer financial services across the EEA. Some UK businesses have now set up licensed companies in the EU or use country-specific arrangements, but others no longer accept new EU-based customers. Crypto companies follow their own route for approval, you can read how that works in what a CASP licence is.
If a firm describes itself as UK-licensed, check exactly which company you are dealing with, who supervises it, and confirm it has permission to serve residents in your country before sending money.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a company uses EU passporting?
You can search the firm's home regulator’s public register. Many show notices of which countries the business has notified, or a list of where it can provide services. The company’s terms should name precisely which licensed entity serves you. If you're unsure, always ask the company before you send funds. For a step-by-step guide, see how to check if a company is licensed.
Does EU passporting mean my money is protected in every EU country?
No. Your money’s protection depends on the regulations applying to the licensed company you’re dealing with, this could include client fund safeguarding or national compensation schemes, where available. Check which firm is holding your funds, what legal protections exist, and who to contact if you need to complain.