Brexit-linked firm secures EU license for payment services, paving the way for further international advancement
Financial technology company Brex is set to expand its operations into the European Union (EU), aiming to serve high-growth businesses operating cross-border within the region. The company has secured an EU Payment Institution (PI) License through the Netherlands, allowing it to directly issue credit and debit cards and offer a full suite of spend management, corporate cards, expense management, and treasury tools to companies headquartered and operating in all 30 EU countries.
Building a European Hub
To establish a strong presence in Europe, Brex has set up a European headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This move provides regulatory clarity, access to talent, and embeds the company within Europe's financial ecosystem. Brex has already established offices in the Netherlands, with local teams across sales, operations, and customer success. A dozen team members are currently on the ground in the Netherlands, with plans to scale as Brex continues to grow its European footprint.
Phased Expansion and Targeted Growth
Brex's expansion strategy in Europe is planned to be a phased, measured rollout. The company will begin by onboarding select EU customers in the coming months, with the expectation of being fully operational by early 2026. This approach prioritizes responsible scaling of complex financial infrastructure over rapid market capture. The focus is on companies with multi-country operations in Europe, positioning Brex as a solution for firms with serious global ambitions rather than local startups with purely domestic needs.
Unlocking Global Potential
Brex's proprietary global payments infrastructure has already proven attractive to companies with global operations, such as Ooni, a global leader in home pizza ovens. Mark Topping, Group Finance Manager at Ooni, expressed his appreciation for the platform, stating that the team has really embraced Brex because it's so easy to use. With the EU PI license, Brex can now serve more companies across Europe, unifying their global card program, streamlining spend management, and reducing reliance on fragmented financial systems.
Pedro Franceschi, CEO and Co-Founder of Brex, stated that the license takes Brex one step further in supporting EU-based businesses. He continued, "We're incredibly proud of what these new licenses will unlock, not only for Brex, but more importantly for the global founders and finance teams we serve." The EU PI license deepens Brex's strategic moat and reinforces its position as the financial platform of choice for companies with global operations.
Future Plans
Brex is authorized to issue commercial credit cards and perform direct debits and credit transfers in the EU. The company also plans to extend its footprint into the UK market after establishing itself in the EU, recognizing the UK’s significant fintech landscape and post-Brexit regulatory distinction. Brex is exploring the opportunity to secure a separate license to support UK-based customers.
In summary, Brex is leveraging its EU PI license to build a locally embedded European hub, offer full commercial card and expense management products to businesses in all EU nations, grow its operational teams on the ground, and follow a careful phased expansion to serve high-growth companies operating internationally, with plans to enter the UK market subsequently. The company is excited about the opportunities this expansion presents, and looks forward to supporting the financial needs of businesses across Europe.
Brex's European headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, serves as a foundation for its expansion into the European Union (EU), aiming to establish regulatory clarity, access talent, and integrate with Europe's financial ecosystem. To unify global card programs and streamline spend management for companies with multi-country operations, Brex plans to extend its financial technology services to businesses across all 30 EU countries. Furthermore, Brex aims to expand its footprint into the UK market, recognizing the significant fintech landscape and post-Brexit regulatory distinction, with plans to secure a separate license to support UK-based customers.
