In short: an Estonian private limited company (OÜ) and a Singapore private company limited by shares (Pte Ltd) are both companies limited by shares that one person can own. They differ in the rules for directors and in when the company's profit is taxed. This page sets the facts of both side by side from the official texts; it does not say which is better for you.
The facts side by side
- The company and its owners
- Estonian OÜ: One founder with one share is a valid company (Commercial Code § 148(1)); a shareholder is not personally liable for the company's obligations (§ 135(2), (3))
- Singapore Pte Ltd: Any person, alone or together with another person, forms a company by subscribing to a constitution and complying with the requirements as to registration (Companies Act 1967, s. 17(1)); a company may be limited by shares (s. 17(2))
- Directors
- Estonian OÜ: A board member living abroad is possible; the company then needs a contact person in Estonia if its address is abroad (Commercial Register Act § 24)
- Singapore Pte Ltd: At least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore; where the company has only one member, the sole director may also be the sole member (s. 145(1)); a director is a natural person of at least 18 years (s. 145(2))
- Yearly filing
- Estonian OÜ: Annual report within six months after the end of the financial year (Commercial Code § 179)
- Singapore Pte Ltd: Not covered by the official texts used here
- How company profit is taxed
- Estonian OÜ: Corporate income tax is paid when profit is distributed; no income tax is paid on profit while it stays in the company — see how Estonia taxes company profit
- Singapore Pte Ltd: Tax at 17 percent on every dollar of a company's chargeable income (Income Tax Act 1947, s. 43(1)(a))
- VAT number
- Estonian OÜ: An Estonian VAT number is an EU VAT number that customers can check in VIES
- Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore is not a member state of the European Union
This is general information, not tax advice: in Estonia the tax becomes due when profit is distributed, and LexorCorp Global does not provide tax advice. The rule and its official sources are in the guide How Estonia taxes company profit.
What each route requires
- Estonia. Customer due diligence by the service provider, a registered address in the commercial register and, if the company's address is abroad, a contact person in Estonia (Commercial Register Act § 24). A ready-made company or a formation at a notary needs no e-residency.
- Singapore. A constitution subscribed by the founder or founders and the registration requirements (Companies Act 1967, s. 17), and a director ordinarily resident in Singapore (s. 145(1)).
How an Estonian company is obtained
- Choose the route: a ready-made company that already exists, a new company formed 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. As a provider licensed by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU000117) we identify every client first.
- Signing at a notary in Tallinn, by a power of attorney signed in your country, or digitally on the online route.
- Register entry and documents in PDF by email.
Documents
For an Estonian company you are asked for 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.
Prices of the Estonian routes
- ready-made company: €900 Registered address and contact person service for one year are included. in person, €1,200 remote; with a VAT number €1,150 and €1,450;
- new company: €950 Registered address and contact person service for one year are included. in person, €1,250 remote;
- online formation for an e-resident: €950 Registered address and contact person service for one year are included..
The Estonian notary fees and state fees, the registered address and the contact person for the first 12 months are included in these prices. We do not form Singapore companies, and this page states no Singapore registration fee.
Timeline
The Singapore texts used here set no number of days for the registration, and for Estonia this page states none either: 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, capital, share transfer, yearly filing and the company's own tax rate, not the tax result for you: where a company is taxed depends on where it is managed and where its owner lives. If you will run an Estonian company from Singapore, see Estonian company run from Singapore.
- Opening a bank or payment account is decided by the bank or payment institution in both countries.
- The Singapore figures are those of the current versions as at 22 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; ready-made or new compares the two Estonian routes.
Official sources
- Singapore: Companies Act 1967, sections 17 and 145; Income Tax Act 1947, section 43 — Singapore Statutes Online, current versions as at 22 October 2026;
- Estonia: Commercial Code §§ 135, 136, 148, 149 and 179, 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.
Sources are named in the text, without links. To see which of our services your company needs, open the Business Navigator.