Company registration in Estonia

Registration fee is from 1900 €

Registration period — 2 weeks

Minimum authorized capital - 0.01 EUR

Remote opening — yes

Financial statements — yes

The Republic of Estonia is an independent state located in Northern Europe, on the northeastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Estonia is a member of the EU, NATO, and a party to the Schengen Agreement. The country's capital is the city of Tallinn.

Maira Consult recommends using companies registered in Estonia for international trade, logistics and freight forwarding services, IT projects and software development, online trading, and cryptocurrency operations.

Why companies are registered in Estonia

Estonia is the only EU country where corporate tax is levied not annually on profit earned, but only at the moment it is distributed: as long as the profit remains within the company and is reinvested, no tax is charged on it. This is combined with a fully digital system of public administration: a company can be registered, documents signed, and reports filed online through e-Residency, without visiting the country in person.

There are several ways to register a company in Estonia:

  1. Electronic registration of a company via the e-Business Register portal

  2. Business registration with the help of a notary

Electronic registration via Estonia's Commercial Register portal

  • The electronic registration procedure offers the most efficient and convenient way to set up a company in Estonia. Foreigners (non-residents) wishing to start a business in Estonia are advised to apply for e-Residency. This status provides secure access to a wide range of electronic services offered by the Estonian state.

  • Registering and opening a business in Estonia through the e-Business Register portal is possible only if all parties connected to the company (board members, founders, council members, etc.) are able to sign documents with an electronic signature.

  • The e-Business Register portal allows registration of various legal forms (LLC, general and limited partnership, sole proprietorship). However, electronic registration of a public limited company (AS) in Estonia is not possible: this form requires the mandatory involvement of a notary.

  • When registering a company in Estonia, you need to enter the founders' and the company's details, choose a trade name, draft the articles of association based on a standard template, and pay the state fee and share capital (if required).

Registering a company in Estonia with the help of a notary is necessary in the following cases:

  • The shareholders (founders) of the company are unable to sign the incorporation documents with an electronic signature.

  • When the share capital of the Estonian company is formed not with cash but with valuable assets or property rights that require valuation and transfer to the company (for example, equipment, software, etc.).

Before registering a company in Estonia, the notary submits the following documents to the Commercial Register: a power of attorney (in the case of remote company registration), the memorandum of association, the articles of association, a registration application, the founders' contact details, a bank statement confirming payment of the share capital, and a receipt for payment of the state fee. The registration period for a company in Estonia through a notary is 2 to 5 business days. Registering a company in Estonia takes only a few business days.

Important! As long as a company's profit is not distributed, it is not taxed: this is a key reason why Estonia is chosen for long-term growth and reinvestment.

Maira Consult's specialists will help you register a company in Estonia without having to travel abroad.

Estonia advantages

1

0% tax on undistributed profit

2

Ease of company registration

3

Territorial location

4

Leading digital infrastructure in the EU: company registration and management fully online via e-Residency

General Information

Registration Features

In Estonia, the most commonly chosen company form is a private limited company (OÜ).

Company Name

The company name must end with a word or abbreviation indicating its limited liability, for example, (OÜ).

Authorized Capital

The minimum share capital is 0.01 EUR, and there is no payment requirement at the time of registration. The share capital must be paid up if the company plans to distribute profits or pay dividends.

Director

At least one natural person is required, with no residency requirements.

Shareholders

At least one natural or legal person is required, with no residency requirements.

Financial Reporting

An OÜ company is required to submit an annual financial report to the Estonian Commercial Register no later than June 30.

Taxation

  • Corporate tax: 0% on undistributed profit.
  • A rate of 22% applies to distributed profit.
  • The VAT rate is 24%. For the supply of goods to VAT payers in other EU countries, a 0% rate applies (intra-Community supply), subject to compliance with the established conditions.

Confidentiality

The Estonian Commercial Register is open to the public and contains information on the company's registration date, its board members, the amount of share capital and its status, and the company's beneficial owner.

Stages of company registration

01

Choosing the name and form of the company

At this stage, you need to check the availability of the chosen name for company registration in Estonia and decide on its legal form.

02

Preparation and collection of documents

Each member of the organization must provide a passport and proof of residential address (a utility bill). Depending on the company registration method, we prepare either electronic documents for the company or paper documents for submission to the register.

03

Identification of company participants

Depending on the method of registering a company in Estonia, the company member visits a notary in Estonia or another country, or undergoes online verification.

04

Formation of the share capital (if necessary)

If necessary, the share capital can be formed after the company has been registered in Estonia.

05

Company registration

Business registration in Estonia takes place online through e-Residency or at a notary's office by power of attorney.

06

Receiving of corporate documents

As soon as the company in Estonia is registered, information about it can be found in the register, and corporate documents can be obtained.

07

Legalization of documents (if necessary)

If necessary, the documents of the Estonian company can be sent for legalization and apostille certification.

08

Delivery of corporate documents

Delivery of the Estonian company's documents is carried out by courier service to the address you specify.

Answers to the Most Common Questions:

Registering a company in Estonia costs different amounts depending on the type of company you choose and any additional services, such as help obtaining a legal address or opening a bank account. Typically, the costs include registration fees, notary services (if required), and payment for agents' services if the registration is carried out remotely. You can get an exact cost estimate from specialists who will help you choose the optimal option based on your needs.
Opening a company in Estonia provides access to the European market, the ability to manage a business remotely, and tax benefits for investors, such as no tax on undistributed profit. This makes it an attractive option for entrepreneurs seeking transparent and convenient business operations in Europe.
Registering a company in Estonia offers a range of advantages, including a stable economy, convenient tax legislation, the ability to manage a business online, and no tax on undistributed profit. Estonia also offers an e-Residency program, which allows foreigners to manage their company remotely, simplifying international business operations.
In Estonia, companies do not pay tax on undistributed profit. However, income tax is charged when dividends are distributed and amounts to 22% of their sum. Social and pension contributions may also be charged if the company has employees. Thanks to this approach, companies can flexibly plan their tax burden.
The income tax rate in Estonia is 22%, but it is charged only when dividends are distributed. If profit is not withdrawn from the company, it is not taxed, allowing firms to reinvest funds in business development.
To open a company in Estonia, you need to register a legal address, prepare the incorporation documents, contribute the share capital, and register the company in the Estonian Commercial Register. The process can be simplified through e-Residency, which allows foreigners to manage a business remotely. Professional support can help speed up registration and avoid mistakes in the documentation.
Yes, Estonia welcomes foreign investors, and any foreigner can register a company in the country. Moreover, the e-Residency program allows foreigners to manage a business remotely, making Estonia an attractive jurisdiction for international business.
Starting a business in Estonia usually takes a few business days, provided all documents are ready and submitted correctly. If you use e-Residency and prepare the documents in advance, the process can go faster and be convenient for remote management.
No, Estonia is not an offshore jurisdiction. It is a country with a transparent tax system, part of which is the absence of tax on undistributed profit. Estonia is considered a jurisdiction with a low tax burden, which attracts entrepreneurs, but unlike offshore jurisdictions, it adheres to European standards of financial regulation and reporting.

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