Before starting activities in the field of heritage conservation, you must submit an economic activity notice to the Register of Economic Activities (MTR).
The economic activity notice shall be submitted to the Register of Economic Activities for operation in the following areas of activity in the field of heritage conservation:
- preparation of a construction project for the conservation and restoration of a monument and/or structure located on a World Heritage Site;
- preparation of an activity plan for the conservation and restoration of a monument and/or a structure located on a World Heritage Site;
- preparation and execution of a research plan;
- preparation of special conditions for planning heritage conservation;
- conservation and restoration of a monument and/or structure located on a World Heritage Site;
- exercising heritage conservation supervision;
- provision of diving services for underwater monuments.
An economic activity notice is not the basis for a company's right to act, and its submission does not give a company competence. An undertaking may provide a service if it is competent to do so. The competence of the undertaking corresponds to the qualifications of persons acting under its responsibility and on its behalf. You can read more about the certificate of competency on the website of the National Heritage Board.
Legal bases
The work activity, related to monuments and structures located in heritage conservation areas, is regulated by the following legislation:
Requirements for the submissions
To operate in your chosen area, you must meet the following requirements:
- an undertaking must have a corresponding legal relationship with a competent person, or the competent person must be a sole proprietor;
- a competent person is an expert who holds a professional certificate certifying a relevant qualification, or a certificate of competence in accordance with the Heritage Protection Act and who performs, inspects or supervises the work in an area of activity in the field of heritage conservation relating to their competence, and who is responsible for it;
- a person may not simultaneously operate as the competent person of several undertakings if their workload does not enable the performance of official duties as required.
You can read more about the certificate of competency, and how to apply and extend it, on the website of the National Heritage Board.
Cross-border operation
If an undertaking is registered and operates in the fields of research, design, conservation or restoration of cultural heritage in another contracting state of the European Economic Area, but wishes to operate in Estonia as well, an economic activity notice or application for acceptance of a license of a contracting state must be submitted.
Undertakings in a contracting state of the European Economic Area which temporarily provide a service in Estonia do not have to submit an economic activity notice.
Recognition of foreign professional qualification
A person having acquired foreign professional qualification may also operate as a competent person if their professional qualification has been recognized in Estonia.
You can find information on the recognition of professional qualifications on the website of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre
Contact the National Heritage Board for recognition of professional qualifications and for additional information.
Filling in and submitting the notice
The notice of economic activities must include the following information:
- the name and registry code of the undertaking, in the case of a sole proprietor, the name and registry code, or, in their absence, the personal identification code or date of birth and the name and number of an identity document, contact details of the undertaking (phone number, email address and postal address);
- the name and contact details (phone number and email address) of the person who signed the notice, and in the case of a legal person, the name of right of representation (being a member of the board, or authorisation);
- the name and personal identification code (in its absence, the date of birth), contact details (phone number, email address), information on the certificate of competency (date of issue, extent of competence, validity) of the competent person. The undertaking must indicate the desired type of the monument and the activities for which the competent person is responsible on the notice of economic activities. NB! When submitting the notice of economic activities, make sure that the desired type of the monument and the activities correspond to the certificate of competency of the competent person;
- the date of commencing economic activities, if it is different from the date of submitting the notice of economic activities. The date of cessation of economic activities, if the economic activities are scheduled for a specific deadline.
You can submit the notice by:
- entering the register of economic activities (authentication is required);
- submitting the digitally signed application to the email address [email protected];
- regular mail to the National Heritage Board at Pikk 2, 10123 Tallinn.
No state fee is required for the submission of a notice of economic activities.
Changing the details of the notice of economic activities
As an undertaking, you must notify the registrar of any changes in the details of your economic activities immediately, but no later than within five business days.
You can notify the registrar of any changes by:
- entering the register of economic activities (authentication is required);
- submitting the digitally signed application to the email address [email protected];
- regular mail to the National Heritage Board at Pikk 2, 10123 Tallinn.
Renouncement of economic activities (including temporary renouncement)
In the case of a temporary renouncement of economic activities, submit a notice of temporary renouncement of economic activities, indicating the dates of renouncement and re-commencement of economic activities.
In the case of a renouncement of economic activities, submit a notice of renouncement of economic activities, indicating the date of renouncement of economic activities.
Supervision
The National Heritage Board exercises the state supervision over the fulfilment of the requirements set for undertakings and competent persons operating in the field of heritage conservation.
Contact details
Substantive information
Vilja Volmer-Martinson
National Heritage Board, phone: 5197 2802, email: [email protected]
Registry information and technical questions
Register of Economic Activities, tel: +372 668 7080, e-post: [email protected]