⚡ Good news! Registering a company in Estonia is intentionally simple and can be done 100% online by yourself through the official e-Business Register. This guide shows you how – no intermediary needed.
How to register an Estonian OÜ yourself
Everything you need to know, straight from the official sources
📋 Quick comparison: Private Limited Company (OÜ)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum capital | €0.01 (no minimum requirement since 01.02.2023) |
| State fee | €265 (fast-track online) / €200 (standard) |
| Processing time | 1-5 working days (next day for fast-track) |
| Founders | Individuals or legal entities (any nationality) |
| Management | At least one board member (can be non-resident) |
| Liability | Shareholders are not personally liable for company obligations (ÄS § 135) |
⚠️ Important note: If you choose share capital below €2,500 and the company becomes insolvent, shareholders may be liable for the difference between the actual capital and €2,500 to cover the costs of insolvency proceedings (based on Äriseadustik and court practice).
🔹 Step 1: Get e-Residency (if you're not an EU resident)
If you don't live in the EU, you need an e-Resident's digital ID to sign documents online.
- What is it? A digital identity issued by Estonia that allows you to sign documents and use e-services remotely.
- Cost: €150 (state fee from 01.01.2025)
- Processing: Decision within 30 days, document ready in 2-5 weeks
- Collection: You must pick it up in person at an Estonian embassy or Police and Border Guard Board service point
- Apply here: eresident.politsei.ee
Note: e-Residency does NOT give you citizenship, residence rights, or automatically open a bank account.
🔹 Step 2: Prepare the required information
Before you start the registration, have these ready:
- Company name: Check availability via the e-Business Register name search
- Main activity (EMTAK code): Official classification
- Shareholders: Names, birth dates, contact details, and share distribution (minimum share: €0.01 per shareholder)
- Board members: At least one (can be the same as shareholder)
- Share capital amount: You decide (minimum €0.01, must be paid before registration)
- Registered address: A physical address in Estonia (can be your home or a virtual office service)
🔹 Step 3: Register online (two options)
Option A: Fast-track via e-Business Register portal (recommended)
- Use the official portal: ariregister.rik.ee
- Use the template articles of association (tüüppõhikiri) – no notary needed
- All founders and board members must digitally sign the application
- State fee: €265 (paid online by card)
- Processing: next working day
- If share capital is below €50,000: board members simply confirm payment
- If share capital is above €50,000: bank confirmation required
Option B: Via notary
- Useful if you cannot digitally sign or have complex ownership structures
- Notary prepares the foundation agreement and articles of association
- Additional notary fees apply (depends on share capital and number of founders)
- State fee: €200 (paid by the notary on your behalf)
✅ After registration, you'll receive:
- Company registration number
- e-Business Register extract (official proof of incorporation)
- Ability to register for VAT immediately (if needed)
- Access to all e-services with your digital ID
📌 What's next? (post-registration checklist)
- Register for VAT if your annual turnover will exceed €40,000 – Tax and Customs Board
- Open a bank account – contact banks directly; they have their own KYC procedures
- Register employees in the employment register on their first working day
- Submit beneficial ownership information to the e-Business Register (required by RahaPTS § 76-77)
- Prepare annual reports each financial year
🔗 Official resources
- e-Business Register portal – start registration here
- eesti.ee – Starting a business
- Police and Border Guard Board – e-Residency
- Tax and Customs Board (EMTA)
- Centre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK)
📞 Need help with accounting or tax after registration?
That's where we come in! While we don't provide company formation services, we specialize in accounting, payroll and tax consulting for Estonian companies – including those started by non-residents.
* This guide is for informational purposes only, based on public information from the Commercial Code (Äriseadustik) and e-Business Register. Fonsalus OÜ does not provide company formation services and is not responsible for the registration process.