Start Your Company in Estonia with e-Residency

Estonian e-Residency is a government-issued digital identity for non-residents who need secure access to Estonia’s e-services. It is a practical tool for handling business-related tasks online.

With an e-Residency digital ID, you can:

log in securely to supported Estonian e-services
sign documents digitally
access the Estonian Business Register
use tax and reporting environments connected to your company

e-Residency is a digital identity only. It does not grant citizenship, tax residency, a visa, or a residence permit.

Once you have your e-Residency digital ID, you can prepare a company setup application through the Estonian Business Register. For many international founders, the most practical legal form is an OÜ (private limited company). The current official online state fee for setting up an OÜ is €265.

What the setup process usually includes

choosing an available company name
adding shareholders and management board members
selecting the main field of activity (EMTAK)
making the share capital contribution
digitally signing and submitting the application

Business address and contact person

If the management board uses a non-Estonian address, a licensed contact person in Estonia is usually required. Many founders also use a local business address service so official correspondence can be received and forwarded reliably.

Share capital and VAT

For an OÜ, the minimum share capital starts from €0.01 per shareholder. VAT registration is not automatic in Estonia and depends on turnover and transaction type. The standard turnover threshold is €40,000, although cross-border activity may create separate VAT considerations earlier.

How Estohub supports e-residents

company setup support through official Estonian registers
business address and contact person solutions
VAT, accounting, and compliance support after launch
practical guidance for founders working across borders

We help make the process clearer, better organised, and easier to manage from day one.

The e-Residency application is submitted through the official e-Residency application portal. Estohub can help you understand the steps, prepare the required information, and avoid common mistakes before you apply.

What you usually need

a valid passport or EU identity document
a digital passport-style photo
a short explanation of how you plan to use e-Residency
payment of the current state fee

Current costs and timing

State application fee: €150
Digital ID validity: up to 5 years
Annual maintenance fee: none for the digital ID itself
Typical review time: around 30 calendar days, although additional checks may extend this
Card delivery after approval: usually 2–5 weeks to the selected pickup location

Important clarifications

e-Residency is a digital identity, not citizenship, tax residency, a visa, or a residence permit
your digital ID must be collected in person at an official pickup location
choosing the right pickup location matters, because collection does not create travel rights

In many cases, the full process from application to collection takes around 6–8 weeks.

After collection, your e-Residency kit gives you the practical tools needed to start using Estonian e-services. The kit includes your digital ID card, a USB smart card reader, and your security codes in a sealed envelope.

Getting started

Install the official ID software on your computer.
Insert the card into the reader and test secure login.
Use PIN1 for authentication and PIN2 for digital signing.
Set up your @eesti.ee forwarding so important notices reach your regular email address.

What you can do with the card

sign documents electronically
access the Business Register and related e-services
submit company updates and filings online
work with your accountant or service provider more efficiently

Useful official links

Keep your card and PIN codes secure at all times. They are personal access tools and should never be shared.

FAQ

Once you already have e-Residency and all company details prepared, the Business Register review usually takes about one business day. In practice, the full timeline is longer because the e-Residency application and card collection usually take several weeks before you can submit the company setup filing.

Yes. Foreign entrepreneurs can establish and run an Estonian company on the same basis as local founders. If all founders and board members have an accepted Estonian digital identification method, the setup can usually be handled online through the Business Register.

For an OÜ, the minimum share capital starts from €0.01 per shareholder. Many founders choose a higher amount for commercial credibility, banking, or internal planning reasons.

Not necessarily. The company setup itself can usually be handled online, but you must collect your e-Residency digital ID in person at an official pickup location. That location does not have to be in Estonia, depending on the options available to you.

Estohub is a private service provider and is not affiliated with any government authority. We support clients with company setup, compliance, and reporting through official Estonian systems where applicable.