Holders of e-Residency card and a growing number of EU member states' ID cards can establish a company in Estonia fully online. If an ID or e-Residency card is not available, a visit to a notary in Estonia is needed to verify the foundation documents.
For a foreign citizen who wants to start a company in Estonia, it is useful to become an e-resident. Holders of e-resident's digi-ID-card can sign documents digitally and digi-ID provides access to all Estonian e-services. More information on applying for a digital identity document is available on the website of the e-residency.
How to establish a company
The most common forms of business in Estonia are private limited company (OÜ), public limited company (AS) and sole proprietor (FIE). More information on types of corporate entities in Estonia can be found in the article "Comparison of each form of business".
Visit the e-Business Register’ s name query section to check your chosen business name is available and then register it.
Determining a field of activity is based on the official classification “The Estonian Classification of Economic Activities” (EMTAK).
- Choose the contact person and obtain a legal address
If the management board of a company or a body substituting therefor is located in a foreign state, the company must designate a contact person. The address of the contact person shall be considered the address of the company in such case.
More information about the options for registering the company can be found in the article "Registration of a company".
Electronic registration of a company in the e-Business Register
What must be done after founding a company
First you will have to open a bank account.
Depending on the company’s area of activity and size, a varying number of additional steps must be taken.
- If the area of activity is subject to special requirements, a license has to be acquired. Information on the areas of activity and electronic registration
- For the use of e-services Estonian tax and Customs Board, you will have to conclude a contract for the use of e-Tax/e-Customs.
- If needed, register the company as a VAT payer on the website of Tax and Customs Board.
- If your company has employees, register the employees in the employement register on the website of Tax and Customs Board.
The Startup Visa for non-EU founders
The startup visa gives foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to settle in Estonia for up to a 18 months to establish their startup. A visa for startup entrepreneurship may be issued for up to 365 days and extended for up to 183 days.
More information on applying for a startup visa can be found on the website of the Startup Estonia.