finpeel Answers · KSA · updated 2026-08-14
Yes, if you provide a regulated payment service in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licenses payment service providers under the Law of Payments and Payment Services and its current Implementing Regulations, with Payment Institution and Electronic Money Institution licence types depending on the activity.
The old 2020 Payment Services Provider Regulations should not be used as the current primary framework: SAMA states that they were superseded by the Implementing Regulations of the Law of Payments and Payment Services. Current licensing guidance distinguishes payment-institution and electronic-money-institution models, including different licence levels within those types.
The starting point is to map the exact service: whether the business issues electronic money, provides payment accounts, executes or transfers payments, acquires transactions, or provides another regulated payment service. The legal entity and service combination then determine the authorisation path.
A software or infrastructure provider is not automatically a licensed payment service provider merely because its technology is used in a payment flow. The analysis should identify which entity actually provides the regulated payment service to the customer or merchant.
Regulator: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
Primary sources: SAMA — Law of Payments and Payment Services · SAMA — Implementing Regulations of the Payments and Payment Services Law · SAMA — Guidelines to Apply for Payment Service Providers License
Directional — not legal advice. Verify with the regulator before committing.
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