COREDO > Licensing > Trust Fund Licence

Trust Fund Licence

Obtain a Trust Fund Licence for Trust Management in the EU and Asia

Trust Fund Licence — authorization to manage trusts, assets, and property on behalf of beneficiaries. It allows operating as a trustee in accordance with the regulations of the chosen jurisdiction.

COREDO supports the licensing process and the setup of trust structures in the EU and international jurisdictions, including Asia.

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Cost of the service
from 8 500 EUR

Who Needs a Trust Fund Licence

A Trust Fund Licence is required by any professional entity that manages assets on behalf of third-party beneficiaries for commercial purposes. Typical clients who seek this licence include:

Family offices and wealth managers

institutions handling multigenerational asset transfer, estate planning, and private wealth structuring for high-net-worth families

Financial holding companies

groups using trust structures to hold subsidiary interests, manage intercompany assets, or protect IP portfolios

Investment fund managers

funds that employ trust-based custodial or fiduciary structures alongside their fund authorisation

Fintech and digital asset platforms

companies holding client assets (including tokenised securities or digital assets) in a regulated trust capacity

Corporate services providers

firms offering registered trustee services as part of a broader corporate structuring offer

If your planned activity involves holding, managing, or administering assets on behalf of others for a fee, regulatory authorisation as a trust service provider is typically required.

Our Services in Trust Licensing

Czechia	Estonia	Singapore
From EUR 8,500	From EUR 15,000	From EUR 25,000
Fast-track processing	Digital-first approach	Global jurisdiction

Jurisdictions for Trust Licensing

COREDO helps you obtain permission to manage trusts in all 27 European Union countries and strategic non-EU jurisdictions:

Jurisdiction	Region	Specialization
Czechia	Europe	Estate planning, fast-track processing
Estonia	Europe	Digital-first platforms, technological solutions
Lithuania	Europe	Fintech solutions, IT integration
Singapore	Asia	Asian assets, international standards
Canada	North America	Property management for Canadian residents

All other EU countries are available upon request. Jurisdiction selection depends on your target market, tax regime, and asset type. Each jurisdiction has unique characteristics and requirements.

Trust Fund Regulation Beyond the European Union

Beyond EU boundaries, trust fund licensing follows distinct regulatory frameworks in key non-EU jurisdictions:

United Kingdom (FCA)

Trusts are regulated through the FCA and HMRC. Registration in the Trust Registration Service (TRS) is mandatory for structures with a UK nexus. The Trustee Act 2000 applies (fiduciary duties). Tax reporting for trusts and beneficiaries is required.

Switzerland (FINMA)

There is no standalone trust law; Stiftung structures are used. Switzerland recognises trusts under the Hague Convention. FINMA regulates financial services, while banks may act as trustees without a separate licence. Liechtenstein structures are often used for asset segregation.

Dubai and United Arab Emirates (DFSA/ADGM)

DIFC and ADGM offer trust regimes based on English law. DFSA licenses service providers and requires AML/CFT compliance, capital adequacy, and maintenance of beneficiary and asset registers. Structures are used for offshore planning with tax neutrality and confidentiality.

What a Trust Licence Provides: Service Scope

Your licence grants you the right to perform the following trust management activities:

Trusted Property Management

receive and manage property in the interests of beneficiaries (persons for whose benefit the trust was created)

Beneficiary Asset Administration

exercise control, management, and reporting on assets transferred into the trust

Trust Control Agent Services

provide representation services and oversight of fiduciary obligations

Estate and Inheritance Planning

develop and implement strategies for property management, including tax planning and inheritance planning

Asset Investment Management

place and manage trust assets to maximize value for beneficiaries

Each of these services is strictly regulated. They require strict compliance with transparency requirements, protection of beneficiary interests, and proper asset management.

Licence Obtaining Requirements

To obtain a trust licence, you must meet strict regulatory requirements established in each jurisdiction:

Minimum Capital for Trust Fund:

Capital requirements vary by jurisdiction. Czechia requires EUR 50,000–100,000 for standard trusts and EUR 200,000 for large trust funds. Estonia requires EUR 50,000–150,000 depending on the type of assets managed. Singapore requires EUR 200,000–500,000 for international trust structures.

Capital must be fully paid in cash and placed in a bank account in accordance with regulator requirements.

Competent Management:

Founders and board members must demonstrate appropriate education and years of professional experience in trust management, finance, or property relations.

Each manager undergoes thorough regulatory verification: sanctions list verification, PEP (Political Exposed Persons) status checks, and analysis of financial history and business reputation.

AML/CFT Compliance:

Mandatory implementation of AML controls and CFT procedures in accordance with AMLD6 (Directive (EU) 2024/1640) in EU countries and FATF requirements internationally.

In trust activities, this includes client identification procedures (KYC), beneficiary verification (KYB), maintenance of trust asset transaction registers, transaction monitoring, and regular audits.

IT Infrastructure and Security:

Development and implementation of reliable data protection systems for beneficiaries and operational resilience in accordance with DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act).

GDPR compliance for personal data protection and backup of critical information are mandatory.

Business Plan:

Detailed description of planned trust management services, target audience, financial forecasts for initial years, risk management strategy, and development plan.

The regulator analyzes the viability of your business model and its compliance with beneficiary protection requirements.

Physical Presence:

Establish a registered office and operational centre for trust management in the licensing jurisdiction. The regulator must be able to oversee company activities and protect beneficiary interests.

Comparative Requirements Table for Trust Licensing

Capital requirements for trust licensing (Trust Fund Licence) across different jurisdictions:

Parameter	Trust Fund Licensing in Czechia	Trust Fund in Estonia	Trust Fund in Singapore
Investment Capital for Trust Fund Management	EUR 50,000–100,000	EUR 50,000–150,000	EUR 200,000–500,000
Processing Timeline	3-4 months	3-4 months	5-6 months
AML/CFT Standard	AMLD6	AMLD6	FATF (Singapore MAS)
IT Requirements	GDPR, DORA	Digital-native (high)	High security standards
Physical Office	Required	Remote possible	Required
Documentation Complexity	Medium	Medium	High
COREDO Service Fee	From EUR 8,500	From EUR 15,000	From EUR 25,000
Specialization	Inheritance, property	Technology, fintech	Global assets

How We Work: The Licensing Process

Obtaining a trust licence is a multi-stage procedure that typically takes 3 to 6 months. COREDO manages all stages:

Stage 1: Document Preparation (3–4 weeks)

Collect and prepare all required documents: company charter, founding documents, financial statements, and management qualification documents (CV, certificates). Prepare a business plan describing trust management services, IT infrastructure description and security protocols, comprehensive AML/CFT policies, office location documents.

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Stage 2: Regulatory Application Submission (1–2 days)

Official submission of the application and all attachments to the national regulatory body (national bank or financial supervisory authority). The review timeline begins after submission.

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Stage 3: Application Review (2–4 months)

The regulator conducts detailed application assessment: analyzes management personnel qualifications, reviews the trust management business model and IT system architecture. Sanctions list and PEP checks are performed for all beneficiaries and partners.

The regulator may request document clarifications at any stage. Process speed depends on the chosen jurisdiction, document completeness, and regulator readiness for consultations.

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Stage 4: Licence Issuance (1 week after approval)

Following approval, the licence is published in the regulator’s registry, and your institution officially gains the right to begin trust management activities in accordance with the obtained licence.

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The typical timeline from document preparation to licence receipt is 3 to 6 months. In practice, the process depends on many factors: jurisdiction specifics, document completeness and quality, business plan complexity, and regulator readiness for consultations during review.

Why Choose COREDO

100+ Licence Expertise:

Since 2016, COREDO has obtained over 100 financial licences for clients, including specialized experience in trust company licensing

Fast-Track Processing:

In Czechia, the process typically takes 3-4 months thanks to COREDO’s close relationships with the ČNB regulator

Full-Cycle Service:

Document preparation, company registration, application submission and regulatory negotiations. Licence receipt and compliance consulting are all included

Dedicated Manager:

Each client receives a personal manager overseeing the entire process from start to finish

Global Coverage:

We license trust companies across all 27 EU countries, as well as Canada and Singapore

AML/CFT Expertise:

Built-in support for implementing AMLD6 compliance procedures and FATF requirements

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Service Pricing Across Jurisdictions

COREDO provides a complete trust licensing service portfolio across the following jurisdictions. Prices listed are for COREDO services (document preparation, application submission, regulatory communication) and do not include government fees, which vary by country:

Jurisdiction	COREDO Price	Note
Czechia	From EUR 8,500	Proximity to COREDO HQ, experienced regulator (ČNB), fast processing
Estonia	From EUR 15,000	Digital-first approach, developed IT infrastructure, modern regulation
Singapore	From EUR 25,000	Asian market, recognized global jurisdiction, high standards

Each trust management jurisdiction has unique characteristics: Czechia emphasizes estate planning, Estonia focuses on digital asset management technologies, Singapore prioritizes international standards and transparency.

COREDO will help you choose the optimal option based on your goals, target market, and readiness level for local compliance requirements.

Case Studies

Case 01Czech family office — inheritance trust structure.

Client: Czech family office managing a EUR 3M estate for multigenerational wealth transfer. Challenge: establishing a legally compliant trust structure under Czech law with proper documentation. COREDO drafted trust deeds aligned with Czech civil code, prepared the full regulatory document package, and coordinated submission with the relevant authorities. Result: trust registered and fully operational within 6 weeks; estate secured with a tax-efficient inheritance structure.

Case 02US tech founder — Singapore offshore trust for IP protection.

Client: American technology entrepreneur seeking to protect intellectual property assets via an offshore structure. Challenge: establishing a trust in Singapore to hold IP rights and optimise international tax position. COREDO structured the trust under the Singapore Trust Companies Act, prepared all legal documentation, and coordinated registration with ACRA. Result: trust established within 8 weeks, with a 15% reduction in effective tax rate on IP royalties.

Case 03German real estate group — trust-based AIF structure with BaFin authorisation.

Client: German real estate investment group targeting a EUR 25M co-investment fund. Challenge: establishing an Alternative Investment Fund using a trust-based custodial structure requiring BaFin authorisation. COREDO designed the fund and trust structure, prepared full regulatory documentation for first close, and managed compliance setup. Result: BaFin authorisation granted within 4 months; fund launched with EUR 25M in committed capital.

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Our Experts

Pavel Kos

Pavel Kos has headed COREDO's legal team since June 2017 and has deep specialization in financial licensing across European jurisdictions. His expertise covers obtaining Trust Fund Licences, EMI Licences, Banking Licences, and other financial permissions. Pavel works with regulators across various countries and possesses practical experience in interactions with national financial supervisory authorities.

Grigorii Lutcenko

When obtaining a trust licence, AML/CFT compliance support may be required. Grigorii Lutcenko's team provides full setup of identification and monitoring procedures in accordance with AMLD6 and FATF requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an existing company obtain a Trust Fund Licence, or does a new entity need to be incorporated?

Both options are possible. An existing licensed company may apply to extend its authorisation to include trust activities if it already meets the capital, management, and compliance requirements. However, in most cases clients opt to register a new dedicated entity to avoid mixing regulated trust activities with other business lines. COREDO will advise on the optimal approach based on your existing corporate structure and timeline.

Can a Trust Fund Licence be revoked, and what causes that to happen?

Yes, regulators can revoke a trust licence for serious breaches such as failure to maintain minimum capital, persistent AML/CFT violations, submission of false information during the licensing process, or criminal activity involving the company’s managers. In EU countries, revocation is governed by national financial supervisory authorities (e.g. ČNB in Czechia, Finantsinspektsioon in Estonia). COREDO provides ongoing compliance support to help clients avoid situations that could trigger regulatory action.

What documents are needed for application submission?

A complete document package is required: company founding documents, financial statements and forecasts, management information (resume, qualification confirmation, reference letters). A detailed trust management business plan, IT system and security policy descriptions, comprehensive AML/CFT policies, and proof of office location in the country are also necessary.

COREDO will prepare a complete document checklist for your specific jurisdiction.

Do I need to open an office in the licensing country?

Yes, trust companies must maintain physical presence in the form of a registered office and operational centre. This is required for regulatory compliance and oversight of activities. COREDO provides consultation on office space selection, local legal entity registration, and completion of all necessary documentation for physical presence.

What AML/KYC regulatory requirements must be met?

Trust companies must implement multi-level AMLD6 (EU) and FATF (international standards) compliance procedures. This includes identification and verification of all clients and beneficiaries, continuous transaction monitoring, suspicious activity detection and reporting, and complete transaction documentation maintenance.

COREDO helps develop and implement these systems considering trust business specifics, ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Why do licence prices differ across countries?

Price differences depend on several factors: regulatory requirement complexity in each jurisdiction, typical review timelines, required document volumes, COREDO’s experience with local regulators, and supporting specialist service costs.

Czechia offers a more favorable and streamlined regime due to COREDO HQ location, resulting in lower pricing. Singapore requires more time and resources for preparation and coordination.

What does COREDO's service include for obtaining a trust licence?

Our service includes: analyzing your business plan and recommending the optimal jurisdiction (considering tax regime and capital requirements), complete preparation of document packages in Russian/English/local languages. Company registration and office opening in the selected country (if needed), application submission to the regulator, active regulatory engagement.

We obtain all necessary approvals and documents, and provide compliance support during the first operating year. This is a complete end-to-end solution.

Contact COREDO

Ready to start the process of obtaining a Trust Fund Licence and expand your trust management operations? Contact the COREDO team for a free consultation.

Email: info@coredo.eu · Tel.: +420 228 886 867 Office: K Cervenemu dvoru 3269/25a, Prague 3, 130 00, Czechia