Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)
Can a foreign fintech obtain a CBB licence?
Content reviewed 2026-08-14 · How we check sources
Short answer
Yes, subject to the applicant and establishment requirements of the relevant CBB licence category. Being foreign-owned does not create an exemption, and the regulated Bahrain business must fit the CBB licensing framework.
What this means
The CBB reviews the legal entity, controllers, governance and operating model as part of licensing. Exact local-presence requirements vary by category.
Choose the licence activity first and then test whether the group should use a Bahrain-incorporated entity, branch or another permitted structure.
Official sources
CBB — Laws, regulations and Rulebook ↗Ask with your entity, activity and regulator.
Regulatory research, not legal advice. This answer has the scope and review date shown above; your institution decides applicability.