In short: the Estonian private limited company (OÜ) and the Lithuanian private limited liability company (UAB) are both limited-liability companies of an EU member state, and both can be registered online by a founder with a suitable electronic identity. The official rules differ most clearly in the minimum capital and in how a founder without such an identity proceeds. This page sets the official facts side by side; it does not say which is better for you.
The facts side by side
- Register
- Estonian OÜ: Commercial register (e-Business Register)
- Lithuanian UAB: Register of Legal Entities, kept by the Centre of Registers
- Minimum capital
- Estonian OÜ: One cent since 1 February 2023
- Lithuanian UAB: The authorised capital "must be at least EUR 1 000"
- Paying in the capital
- Estonian OÜ: New contributions are paid in before the register entry of an increase
- Lithuanian UAB: The shares "must be fully paid within 12 months from the date of signing of the instrument of incorporation"; the initial contributions go to a savings account in Lithuania or a bank account abroad, shown by a bank statement
- Online registration
- Estonian OÜ: For a founder with an e-residency card or an Estonian ID card, without a notary
- Lithuanian UAB: Through the Centre of Registers' self-service system when the incorporator is a natural person or a legal entity of the EU; a foreigner identifies with an e-resident card or an EU eIDAS means
- How fast
- Estonian OÜ: This page states no number of days for the register's entry
- Lithuanian UAB: "If no discrepancies are found, the Company is registered within 1 working day" (online route)
- Without an electronic identity
- Estonian OÜ: At a notary in Tallinn or by a power of attorney signed in your country
- Lithuanian UAB: Not covered by the official document used here
- Buying an existing company
- Estonian OÜ: The transfer of a share is notarised; the notary sends the notice to the register within two days (Commercial Code § 149)
- Lithuanian UAB: Not covered by the official document used here
What the Estonian route requires
- customer due diligence: as a provider licensed by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU000117) we identify every client before the company is transferred or formed;
- an address in the commercial register and, if the company's address is abroad, a contact person in Estonia (Commercial Register Act § 24) — both are included in our packages for the first 12 months;
- no e-residency for a ready-made company or a formation at a notary.
How an Estonian company is obtained
- Choose the route: a ready-made company, a new company at a notary or by power of attorney, or online formation with an e-residency card.
- Order online and pay by card; the order form shows the total before you pay.
- Identification of the buyer or founder.
- Signing at a notary in Tallinn, by power of attorney, or digitally.
- Register entry and documents in PDF by email.
Documents
An identity document and proof of address of the board members and beneficial owners; on the remote route a power of attorney signed before a notary in your country — as a rule with an apostille, which is not needed when it is signed in Latvia, Lithuania, Poland or Ukraine.
Prices of the Estonian routes
- ready-made company: €900 in person, €1,200 remote; with a VAT number €1,150 and €1,450;
- new company: €950 in person, €1,250 remote;
- online formation for an e-resident: €950.
The Estonian notary fees and state fees, the registered address and the contact person for the first 12 months are included. We do not form Lithuanian companies, and this page names no Lithuanian fee: the official document used here states none.
Timeline
The Centre of Registers says an online application without discrepancies is registered within one working day. For Estonia this page states no number of days: the time depends on the notary's appointment, on customer due diligence and on the register. A ready-made company already exists, so only the transfer has to be done.
Limits of this comparison
- It compares formation rules only. Taxes, accounting duties and the cost of running the company are not compared here, because this page uses only what the official sources below state.
- Where a company is taxed depends on where it is managed and where its owner lives — check it with a tax adviser in your country.
- The Lithuanian rules are those of the Centre of Registers' document as read on 7 October 2026 and can change.
Related service
If the Estonian route fits, start with the ready-made company packages or the list of companies for sale; the steps are under how the purchase works, and ready-made or new compares the two Estonian routes.
Official sources
- Lithuania: Centre of Registers, Rules for registration of a private limited liability company in the Register of Legal Entities by electronic means;
- Estonia: Commercial Code § 149, Commercial Register Act § 24 — Riigi Teataja; company data — e-Business Register.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice for your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum capital of an Estonian OÜ and of a Lithuanian UAB?
For an Estonian private limited company it has been one cent since 1 February 2023. For a Lithuanian UAB the authorised capital must be at least EUR 1 000, according to the registration rules of the Lithuanian Centre of Registers.