Find out how much your firm’s application fee will be to become authorised by us, or registered with us, depending on the type of application and the type of business your firm operates.
Your firm's application fee will fall into one of our 10 pricing categories – each category covers a different group of permissions.
The table below indicates the fee you're likely to pay if you're one of these common types of firm. For full details of the permissions covered by each pricing category, see further down the page.
We also explain how to pay your application fee (which is separate from the FCA annual fee).
These firms are regulated by both us and the PRA. Your payments incorporate fees for each regulator and should be made payable to the FCA.
Banks and insurance companies
The fee is Category 8.
Friendly societies
The fee is Category 4.
You'll need to apply via the PRA website but first please read our guidance.
You'll either pay:
Your fee will depend on whether you need full or limited permission from us to carry on regulated activities.
Full permission application
The fee is either Category 3, 5 or 6 depending on the permission applied for (see FEES 3 Annex 1).
Limited permission application
The fee falls into Category 2.
Credit unions
You'll pay £200 to register a common bond and £300 for authorisation as a deposit taker. You'll be jointly regulated by us and the PRA so the fees are split between both regulators.
Community finance organisations (CFOs)
You'll pay a Category 1 fee for authorisation as a home finance provider or home finance administrator, and for full or limited consumer credit permissions.
You'll pay the standard fees for any other permissions you apply for, however there are no annual (periodic) fees for consumer credit.
Not-for-profit (NFP) debt advice bodies
You don't need to pay a consumer credit application fee or annual (periodic) fees.
Most financial advisers, mortgage brokers and general insurance intermediary applications fall into Category 4.
Payment institution (PI)
The fee for a small PI is Category 2, and Category 4 or 5 if you’re an authorised PI.
E-money institution (EMI)
The fee for a small EMI is Category 3, and Category 5 if you’re an authorised EMI.
Registered account information service provider (RASIP)
The fee is Category 3.
Notification of the use of the limited network exclusion (LNE)
The fee is Category 1.
Notification of the use of the electronic communications exclusion (ECE)
The fee is Category 1.
Variation of authorisation/registration
To change the e-money or payment services you provide, the fee is half of the original application fee. There's no fee if you're only removing services.
Asset managers
There are different fees for authorised and registered Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs), and the National Private Placement Regime (NPPR), depending on your type of application.
Contracts for difference (CFD) firms
Most CFD firms fall into Category 6.
Corporate finance firms
Firms solely undertaking corporate finance business will likely fall into Category 4.
Multilateral trading facilities (MTFs) and organised trading facilities (OTFs)
The fee is Category 8.
Principal trading firms (PTFs)
Most PTFs fall into Category 6.
MiFID investment managers
Most MiFID investment managers fall into Category 6.
These firms are regulated by both us and the PRA. Your payments incorporate fees for each regulator and should be made payable to the FCA.
Banks and insurance companies
The fee is Category 8.
Friendly societies
The fee is Category 4.
You'll need to apply via the PRA website but first please read our guidance.
You'll either pay:
Your fee will depend on whether you need full or limited permission from us to carry on regulated activities.
Full permission application
The fee is either Category 3, 5 or 6 depending on the permission applied for (see FEES 3 Annex 1).
Limited permission application
The fee falls into Category 2.
Credit unions
You'll pay £200 to register a common bond and £300 for authorisation as a deposit taker. You'll be jointly regulated by us and the PRA so the fees are split between both regulators.
Community finance organisations (CFOs)
You'll pay a Category 1 fee for authorisation as a home finance provider or home finance administrator, and for full or limited consumer credit permissions.
You'll pay the standard fees for any other permissions you apply for, however there are no annual (periodic) fees for consumer credit.
Not-for-profit (NFP) debt advice bodies
You don't need to pay a consumer credit application fee or annual (periodic) fees.
Most financial advisers, mortgage brokers and general insurance intermediary applications fall into Category 4.
Payment institution (PI)
The fee for a small PI is Category 2, and Category 4 or 5 if you’re an authorised PI.
E-money institution (EMI)
The fee for a small EMI is Category 3, and Category 5 if you’re an authorised EMI.
Registered account information service provider (RASIP)
The fee is Category 3.
Notification of the use of the limited network exclusion (LNE)
The fee is Category 1.
Notification of the use of the electronic communications exclusion (ECE)
The fee is Category 1.
Variation of authorisation/registration
To change the e-money or payment services you provide, the fee is half of the original application fee. There's no fee if you're only removing services.
Asset managers
There are different fees for authorised and registered Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs), and the National Private Placement Regime (NPPR), depending on your type of application.
Contracts for difference (CFD) firms
Most CFD firms fall into Category 6.
Corporate finance firms
Firms solely undertaking corporate finance business will likely fall into Category 4.
Multilateral trading facilities (MTFs) and organised trading facilities (OTFs)
The fee is Category 8.
Principal trading firms (PTFs)
Most PTFs fall into Category 6.
MiFID investment managers
Most MiFID investment managers fall into Category 6.
Category 1: £270 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block G.20: CBTL lender – Applicant with Part 4A permission | FEES 3 Annex 10AR: Consumer buy-to-let |
| Fee-block G.21: CBTL arranger or adviser – Applicant with Part 4A permission | FEES 3 Annex 10AR: Consumer buy-to-let |
| Fee-block G.1: Registration under the Money Laundering Regulations | FEES Appendix 3R: Money-laundering regulations, not cryptoasset businesses |
| Fee-block C: AIFM UK Reg 58 – giving notice | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block CC1, CC2: Community finance organisations | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Payment Services: Notification of electronic communications exclusion | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payment Services Regulations |
| Fee-block C: AIFM UK Reg 57 – giving notice | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: AIFM UK Reg 59 – giving notice | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block A.2: Community finance organisation | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Payment Services: Notification of limited network exclusion | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payment Services Regulations |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 272, Money Market Funds Reg – fund exists prior to 2018 | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Senior management regime application | FEES 3 Annex 15: FCA Transaction fees |
Category 2: £540 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| VoP within the same fee-block | FEES 3 Annex 16R: variations of permission |
| Fee-block G.4: Small payment institution | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payment Services Regulations |
| Fee-block C: Money Market Funds Reg Art 5 – UK AIF, not non-UCITS retail or qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: Money Market Funds Reg Art 5 – Non-UK AIF, not marketed in UK | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block CC1: Limited consumer credit permission | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-block G.20: CBTL lender – Applicant without Part 4A permission | FEES 3 Annex 10AR: Consumer buy-to-let |
| Fee-block G.21: CBTL arranger or adviser – Applicant without Part 4A permission | FEES 3 Annex 10AR: Consumer buy-to-let |
| Registration as Protected cell company under Reg 14 Risk Transformation Regulations | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
Category 3: £1,090 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 264 – operator giving notice | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: Money Market Funds Reg Art 5 – Non- UK AIF, not managed by AIFM but marketed in UK | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: Money Market Funds Reg Art 5 – Non- UK AIF, marketed in UK | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block G.11: Small electronic money institution | FEES 3 Annex 10R: Electronic Money Regulations |
| Benchmark endorser | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block G.26: Third party verifier | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block G.3: Registered account service provider – activity (h) | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payment Services Regulations |
| Fee-block CC2: Straightforward consumer credit applications | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Validation order: agreement up to £500,000 | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
Category 4: £2,720 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block C: OEIC Reg 12 – UCITS scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 242 – UCITS scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 261C – UCITS scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: OEIC Reg 12 – Non-UCITS retail scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 242 – Non-UCITS retail scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Straightforward fee: Fee-blocks A3, A4, A13, A14, A18, A19, A21, some benchmark administrators | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-block G.3: Authorised payment institution – activities (f) – (h) | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payment Services Regulations |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 272 – UK AIF equivalent to qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 261C – Non-UCITS retail scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Recognition as an accredited body | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Validation order: agreement £500,000 – £750,000 | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
| Claims Management Company – lead generator only | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
Category 5: £5,440 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block C: OEIC Reg 12 – Qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 242 – Qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 261C – Qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block C: ELTIF Reg Art 5 – AIF | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Recognition as benchmark administrator | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block G.3: Authorised payment institution – activities (a) – (e) | FEES 3 Annex 8R: Payments services Regulations |
| Fee-block G.10: Authorised electronic money institution | FEES 3 Annex 10R: Electronic Money Regulations |
| Authorisation under Reg 7 of Data Reporting Service Regulations | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block CC2: ‘Moderately complex’ charge for consumer credit | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Validation order: agreement £750,000 – £1,000,000 | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
Category 6: £10,880 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Moderately complex fee: Fee-blocks A2, A3, A5, A7, A9, A10, Service companies, some benchmark administrators | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-group G.15: Change to terms of regulated covered bond | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
| Fee-block C: FSMA s 272 – non-UK AIF equivalent to non-UCITS retail scheme or qualified investor scheme | FEES 3 Annex 2R: Collective investment schemes |
| Fee-block D: Application to become designated professional body | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block CC2: Complex consumer credit applications | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-block G.25: Data reporting service provider, non-transaction reporting | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-block CMC: Claims management company (not lead generator only) | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-block G23: Cryptoasset businesses | FEES Appendix 4R: Cryptoasset businesses |
| Insurance business transfer scheme – not long term | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
| Validation order: agreement £1,000,000 – £7,500,000 | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
Category 7: £27,190 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Insurance business transfer scheme – long term | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
| Fee-block G.25: Data reporting service provider – connection for transaction reporting | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
| Fee-group G.15: Registration of regulated covered bond, mainly UK mortgages | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
| Validation order: agreement above £7,500,000 | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
Category 8: £54,380 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Complex fee: Fee-blocks A1, A3, A4, MTF/OTF, some benchmark administrators | FEES 3 Annex 1R: Authorisation fees payable in the A, B, C, CC and CMC fee-blocks |
| Fee-block B: UK RIE offering safeguarding and administration services | FEES 3 Annex 3R: Recognised Investment Exchanges |
| Fee-block B: UK RIE using new and untested IT systems | FEES 3 Annex 3R: Recognised Investment Exchanges |
| Fee-block C: ROIE offering safeguarding and administration services | FEES 3 Annex 3R: Recognised Investment Exchanges |
| Fee-group G.15: Registration of regulated covered bond | FEES 3 Annex 15R: FCA transaction fees |
Category 9: £108,750 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block B: Recognised Overseas Investment Exchange | FEES 3 Annex 3R: Recognised Investment Exchanges |
| Fee-block B: Designated investment exchange | FEES 3 Annex 14R: Other FCA application fees |
Category 10: £217,500 fee
| Permissions | Reference in FEES manual |
|---|---|
| Fee-block C: UK Recognised Investment Exchange | FEES 3 Annex 3R: Recognised Investment Exchanges |
You need to pay your fee via our online system Connect:
In some cases you need to pay a fee if you change (vary) your permission.
Find out more about variation of permission and when there's a fee to pay.
The authorisation application fee is a one-off payment, but once authorised you will pay us a periodic fee each year. In your first year, you only pay a proportion of the fee (based on the number of months remaining in the fee year) and we contact you directly about paying this.
We're largely funded by the firms we regulate and aim to cover our costs as fairly and efficiently as possible.