With an e-residency card an Estonian private limited company (OÜ) can be formed entirely online: the founder signs the registration application in the e-Business Register with the card, and no notary is involved. This guide explains who can use the online route, what the formation needs, which later company changes can also be signed online — and which one never can.
The guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Who can form a company online
- A digital identity. Every founder and every management board member signs digitally, so each needs an e-residency card or an Estonian ID card and its PIN codes.
- Our online formation is for one founder who is also the only board member. With several founders, or when someone has no digital identity, the company is formed at a notary in Tallinn or by power of attorney — see company formation.
- Due diligence. As a licensed service provider we identify every client before any filing. We do not provide services to citizens of Russia or to companies from Russia.
What the formation needs
- a business name that is free and distinguishable in the commercial register;
- the articles of association and the registration application, prepared for your digital signature;
- a registered address in Estonia and, when the board is abroad, a licensed contact person (Commercial Code § 63¹);
- the state fee for the registration;
- the share capital decided by the founder — the smallest possible share is one cent, and the capital stays with the company.
Our online formation (€950) includes the state fee, the registered address and the licensed contact person for the first 12 months. A VAT number is a separate application (VAT registration). You can order the online formation directly.
How it works
- You order the online formation and answer the due diligence questions.
- We check the business name and prepare the articles of association and the registration application.
- You sign the application in the e-Business Register with your e-residency card.
- We file it and follow it; the registration department of the court decides on the registration.
- You receive the registry code and the company documents; the address and contact person service starts.
Company changes that can be signed online
When every shareholder and board member signs digitally, these changes need no notary: a new or departing board member, a new business name, address or contact person, amended articles of association and a change of share capital. They are one register entry at a fixed price (€490; with a change of share capital €990), with the state fee included.
The exception: a share transfer
The transfer of a share in an Estonian private limited company is certified by a notary. We therefore never offer a change of shareholders or the sale of a share as an online service: it is signed at a notary in Tallinn or by power of attorney from your own country — see transfer of a share.
Online, at a notary or ready-made?
- Online — you have an e-residency card and are the only founder and board member.
- At a notary or by power of attorney — several founders or no digital identity: company formation.
- Ready-made — you need a registration date in the past or a VAT number from day one: ready-made company.