Estonia's e-Residency programme gives entrepreneurs worldwide a secure digital identity and access to Estonia's digital business environment. With it, you can run a trusted EU company entirely online - no matter where you live.
As an e-resident, you can
- Register and manage an EU company fully online.
- Sign documents and contracts digitally.
- Access a wide range of Estonian public and private e-services.
- Work with trusted service providers in our Marketplace.
- Join a community of 100 000+ entrepreneurs worldwide.
Four main benefits for entrepreneurs
1. Ease
Set up and manage your company entirely online.
- No need to travel to Estonia.
- Handle company management, accounting, and compliance remotely.
- See from blog how to reduce bureaucracy.
- The business environment is already mostly accessible in English and it is constantly being improved.
- Example: Many small teams and co-founders run their companies from abroad, managing operations together online without relocating.
2. Trust
Run your business in a stable, transparent EU environment.
- Estonia is a member of the European Union, eurozone, and Schengen Area.
- Companies registered in Estonia can benefit from the EU regulations such as the free movement of goods and services.
- Company information is verified and publicly accessible, making due diligence easier for entrepreneurs, investors, and partners.
- Estonia has spend decades building strong digital governance systems that are secure, open, and trusted.
- International indexes consistently rank Estonia among the top countries worldwide for transparency, rule of law, low corruption, and digital security.
3. Opportunity
Scale your business to EU and global markets.
- Simple company setup lowers barriers to entry.
- Access to international payment services, logistics and marketplaces.
- We have gathered a wide range of supporting services into one Marketplace, making it easy to find the right partners for accounting, legal, banking, and more.
- Example: A small online shop expands to serve customers across Europe.
4. Community
Connect with other founders and service providers.
- Access a global network of entrepreneurs using e-Residency
- Find trusted support through our Marketplace.
- Take part of our e-resident networking events.
Learn from the community
Sometimes to best way to understand the benefits of e-Residency is to learn from those who are already building their businesses.
- Explore our blog. Read stories from e-residents across the globe. You can filter by region, industry, or goal to find most relevant insights.
- Connect with envoys and community leaders. They are expert in their fields and successful entrepreneurs. They often host events for the community around the world and foster connections with media, prospective e-residents and also represent e-residents with policymakers.
- Engage on social media. Connect with other e-residents, share experiences, and get support from the wider community.
Not limited to entrepreneurs
Many people apply for e-Residency to access Estonia's digital services, even if they do not run a business. Common examples include:
- People with personal connections to Estonia, such as a family member
- Researchers collaborating with Estonian institutions
- Professionals working with Estonian companies
- Former residents who wish to keep access to e-services
These e-residents value Estonia's secure digital solutions for their work and personal needs.
Important to know
- E-Residency does not guarantee a bank account or payment service. Access depends on the individual terms of each provider. See our article Banking basics.
- E-Residency is not physical residency and does not affect your personal tax residency.
- See What is e-Residency?
Next steps
- Unsure if e-Residency is the right choice? Read Is e-Residency a good solution for me?
- Ready to apply? See How to apply + FAQ
FAQ
Can I travel to the EU with e-Residency?
No. Your status as an e-resident does not grant permission to travel to Estonia or within the EU without a visa, should one be needed. Your e-Residency digital ID card can not be used for travel and does not display a photo for physical identification.
Can I live in the EU with e-Residency?
No. Your status as an e-resident does not grant permission to live in Estonia or within the EU. You will not receive benefits related to EU residency by becoming an e-resident.
Will e-Residency affect my current residency, citizenship or visas?
E-Residency does not have any effect on your current residency, citizenship or visas in any country.
Will I get a physical address in Estonia with e-Residency?
No. Your e-Residency status itself does not come with a physical address in Estonia. To register your company in Estonia, you will likely need to use a business service provider to provide contact person and legal address service.
Will I get a bank account with e-Residency?
You need to apply separately for a banking account depending on your business needs. Banking services are provided by private companies. While the e-Residency programme works closely with both public and private sector partners to support our community, only the service providers themselves can decide whether to approve your application. e-Residency cannot guarantee access to a bank account for personal use. For business banking, providers typically evaluate your application based on your company’s business model and operations.