Dmitri Mihhailov
General Partner
Leads Prifinance's corporate practice and oversees client engagements, with senior expertise in international company structuring and bank-account setup.
Register a company in Estonia, fully online.
Open and run an EU business remotely: an Estonian OÜ with an EU VAT number, SEPA payments and 0% tax on profits kept in the company. Incorporation, digital signing, tax returns and the annual report all happen online, so the company can be opened and managed from anywhere.Open and run an EU business remotely: an Estonian OÜ with an EU VAT number, SEPA payments and 0% tax on profits kept in the company. Incorporation, signing, tax returns and the annual report all happen online.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
Estonia · at a glance
Legal formOÜ · Private Ltd
Time to set upas fast as 1 day
Corporate tax0% retained / 22% on payout
VAT24% (13% / 9% reduced)
Min. share capital€0.01
Remote setupYes - via e-Residency
4.7
★★★★★
powered by Google
Chat online with a lawyer - a lawyer answers right now. Free review of your case.
Estonia in brief
A digital nation built for entrepreneurs.
This Baltic country of 1.4 million has built arguably the most convenient environment in Europe for opening and running a company from abroad. Since 2014 its e-Residency programme has issued digital IDs to founders from 185 countries, and those founders have incorporated over 37,000 companies - roughly one in five of every new company registered each year.
Nearly every interaction with the state happens online: incorporation, monthly tax returns, shareholder resolutions, even court correspondence. The Commercial Code governs formation and governance, the e-Business Register keeps the required records public, and the Income Tax Act leaves company profits untaxed until owners take them out. Standard documents are generated from a template form, no notary is needed for a routine online incorporation, and EU/EEA membership keeps the rules harmonised.
This Baltic country of 1.4 million has built arguably the most convenient environment in Europe for opening and running a company from abroad. Since 2014 its e-Residency programme has issued digital IDs to founders from 185 countries, and those founders have incorporated over 37,000 companies - roughly one in five of every new company registered each year.
Nearly every interaction with the state happens online: incorporation, monthly tax returns, shareholder resolutions, even court correspondence. The Commercial Code governs formation and governance, the e-Business Register keeps the required records public, and the Income Tax Act leaves company profits untaxed until owners take them out. Standard documents come from a template form, no notary is needed for a routine online incorporation, and EU/EEA membership keeps the rules harmonised.
Packages & pricing
Estonian company registration - cost & packages.
01 - OÜ · PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Company
from€1,500EUR · all-in
Remote incorporation of an Estonian OÜ via e-Residency - the e-Business Register filing and all government fees included.
✓Company name check & reservation✓OÜ registration & all state fees✓Articles of Association & incorporation documents✓Registered office address - first year✓Contact person for the first year✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: VAT registration - +€300 · monthly accounting - from €150/mo · nominee contact person renewal - +€400/year.Add-ons: VAT registration +€300 · monthly accounting from €150/mo · contact-person renewal +€400/year.
Start with Company →02 - OÜ · PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Most popularCompany + Business Banking
from€2,900EUR · all-in
A working OÜ with a business account and a fintech IBAN - set up fully online, no visit to Estonia required.
✓Everything in Company✓Business account with an EU-licensed fintech - multi-currency IBAN, SEPA/SWIFT✓Account onboarding & KYC file preparation✓VAT registration handled for you✓Accounting set-up & first monthly return✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →Prices below are starting points; your exact quote is confirmed before any work begins. Estonia has no minimum paid-in capital requirement to incorporate, and government and third-party fees are itemised in the quote.Starting prices; your exact quote is confirmed before work begins. Estonia has no minimum paid-in capital; government and third-party fees are itemised.
What you can do
Popular uses for an Estonian company.
Estonian law does not restrict founders by citizenship or residence, and the OÜ. The private limited company behind most new company registrations. May pursue almost any lawful business activity. A foreign owner runs the same entity as a local one, and a single company can combine several of the uses below, or you can incorporate more than one.Estonian law does not restrict founders by citizenship or residence, and the OÜ. The private limited company behind most new company registrations. May pursue almost any lawful business activity. A single company can combine several of the uses below.
IT & software
SaaS products, mobile and web development, IT consulting.
Online services
Digital marketing, design, copywriting, translation, coaching for international clients.
E-commerce
Webshops, dropshipping, cross-border invoicing within the EU single market.
Consulting & advisory
Management, engineering, HR and marketing services sold worldwide.
Holding & investment
Holding shares in other companies, reinvesting returns and gains.
Fintech & crypto licensedlicensed
Payment and crypto-asset providers under the EU's MiCA framework. Authorisation and AML rules apply.
IT & software
SaaS, mobile and web development, IT consulting.
Online services
Marketing, design, translation, coaching for global clients.
E-commerce
Webshops, dropshipping, cross-border invoicing in the EU.
Consulting
Management, engineering, HR and marketing sold worldwide.
Holding & investment
Holding shares in other companies, reinvesting gains.
Fintech & cryptolicensed
Payment & crypto providers under EU MiCA. AML rules apply.
Why Estonia
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
Profit taxed only on the way out
Undistributed profits. Trading income, dividends received, even gains. Are exempt until distribution. Reinvest and pay no CIT, year after year.Undistributed profits. Trading income, dividends received, even gains. Are exempt until distribution. Reinvest and pay no CIT.
✓
The entire life cycle is online
Incorporation, board changes, monthly returns, the annual report. Every document is signed digitally. No stage requires a personal visit.Incorporation, board changes, monthly returns, the annual report. Every document is signed digitally. No visit needed.
✓
e-Residency removes geography
A government ID lets a founder anywhere open and manage an Estonian company remotely; valid five years, no maintenance charge.A government ID lets a founder anywhere open and manage an Estonian company remotely; valid five years.
✓
Cheap, predictable maintenance
State registration fee EUR 265, a contact person with a legal address EUR 200-400/year, accounting from EUR 50/month. Every fee published openly, with no hidden local charges.State fee EUR 265, contact person with a legal address EUR 200-400/year, accounting from EUR 50/month. All published openly.
✓
EU membership by default
An EU and EEA legal entity: an EU VAT number, SEPA payments in euro (EUR), access to the single market and EU-harmonised financial and contract rules.An EU and EEA legal entity: an EU VAT number, SEPA payments in euro (EUR), single-market access and harmonised rules.
✓
Light admin, full transparency
One shareholder, one board member, no local director. An Estonian company's data and beneficial owners are public in the e-Business Register.One shareholder, one board member, no local director. Company data and beneficial owners are public in the register.
How it compares
Estonia next to the usual shortlist.
Latvia copied the model in 2018, but has no e-Residency; Lithuania, Ireland and Germany tax profit annually whether or not owners withdraw it. Estonia combines the most owner-friendly cash-flow model with the easiest fully remote setup. Figures current as of 2026.Latvia copied the model in 2018 but has no e-Residency; Lithuania, Ireland and Germany tax profit annually whether or not owners withdraw it. Figures current as of 2026.
| Country | Retained profits | Headline CIT rate | Fully remote incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 0% - undistributed profit is exempt | 22% (22/78), charged only on distributions | Yes - online, with e-Residency |
| Latvia | 0% | 20%, payable only on distribution | Restricted |
| Lithuania | Taxed annually | 17% | Restricted |
| Ireland | Taxed annually | 12.5% on trading income | In-country presence usually needed |
| Germany | Taxed annually | ~30% all-in (CIT + trade levy) | No |
EstoniaRemote ✓
Retained profit0% - exempt
Headline CIT22% (22/78), on payout
LatviaRestricted
Retained profit0%
Headline CIT20%, on distribution
LithuaniaRestricted
Retained profitTaxed annually
Headline CIT17%
IrelandPresence needed
Retained profitTaxed annually
Headline CIT12.5% trading
GermanyNo
Retained profitTaxed annually
Headline CIT~30% all-in
Requirements
What the Commercial Code actually demands.
01
Founders & shareholders - One or several shareholders, natural or legal persons of any nationality. With limited liability and no residence conditions. Foreign and local founders are treated the same.
02
Management board - At least one board member, who can live anywhere; a sole founder signs a foundation resolution.
03
Share capital - From EUR 0.01 of share capital per shareholder; no bank statement for EUR 50,000 or less. Below EUR 2,500 of capital, shareholders may be personally liable on insolvency.
04
Registered address & contact person - An address in the e-Business Register; if it is outside Estonia, the appointment of a licensed contact person is required for official mail.
05
Name & field of activity - A distinguishable business name including "OÜ", the Estonian private limited form; the planned activity declared using the national EMTAK classification.
06
Documents - For online setup the portal generates the incorporation documents. Memorandum and articles - from a standard form; the notary route with an attorney under power of attorney stays available, and no paper filing is required for a routine online company.
How it works
From application to a live company in a day.
The registration process runs through the e-Business Register. Most e-applications are approved within hours; the national record for company formation stands at 15 minutes 33 seconds.The registration runs through the e-Business Register. Most e-applications are approved within hours (the national record stands at 15 min 33 sec), and the same process applies to a foreign-owned company.
012-8 weeks
Get your ID
Apply for e-Residency (€150 fee) and collect the card at an embassy or pickup point.
02Minutes
Check the name
Run a name check to confirm the company name is free.
03About an hour
Prepare the application
Articles of association, share capital, shareholders and board members, and the EMTAK code - prepared online.
04Same day
Sign and send
Everyone signs the documents with a qualified digital signature; submit and pay the state fee.
051-5 working days
Registration decision
An expedited e-application is reviewed by the next working day; standard petitions take five.
061-2 weeks
Getting operational
Register for VAT if turnover will exceed EUR 40,000, opening a business account, and set up accounting and financial reporting.
Quick facts
Legal formOÜ · Private Ltd
Min. share capital€0.01
e-Residency fee€150
State registration feeEUR 265
Expedited reviewNext working day
Standard review5 working days
VAT registrationAbove EUR 40,000
Most e-applications are approved within hours; the national record for company formation stands at 15 minutes 33 seconds.
On the ground
Our HQ is in Tallinn.
Prifinance - Tallinn HQ
Estonia
Roseni 13, 10111 Tallinn · registered office & contact-person services for e-residents
01
Estonian corporate lawyers
Your setup is handled by a team that works with the e-Business Register and the Tax and Customs Board every week.
02
Legal address & contact person
A licensed contact person and registered office in Tallinn, so you stay in good standing while operating remotely.
03
Accounting & e-Residency help
Monthly bookkeeping, the annual report and guidance through the e-Residency application from start to finish.
04
Also in London, Dubai, Miami & more
A network of offices across Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. One team for your whole international structure.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation 2026
Where Estonia genuinely differs.
Corporate tax falls due only when profits are distributed, at 22% - calculated as 22/78 of the net amount. Retained and reinvested profits are exempt for as long as they stay in the company. Every figure follows the rules in force in 2026.Corporate tax falls due only when profits are distributed, at 22% (calculated as 22/78 of the net amount). Retained and reinvested profits are exempt. Figures follow the rules in force in 2026.
Corporate income tax
Undistributed profit. Trading income and passive receipts alike. Is exempt. EUR 100 of profit pays out EUR 78 as dividends and remits EUR 22 CIT at a 22/78 rate.Undistributed profit. Trading income and passive receipts alike. Is exempt. EUR 100 of profit pays out EUR 78 as dividends and remits EUR 22 CIT at a 22/78 rate.
No hidden add-ons
No local municipal income tax, no annual property tax on buildings, no advance CIT for the company. Distributed profits are declared on the monthly TSD return and are subject to tax only then.No local municipal income tax, no annual property tax on buildings, no advance CIT. Distributed profits are declared on the monthly TSD return and subject to tax only then.
Distributions to owners
No withholding on dividends, resident or abroad; none on interest to non-residents. Royalties to non-residents: a 10% rate unless a treaty reduces it. Profit that is distributed is subject to CIT; retained profit is not.No withholding on dividends, resident or abroad; none on interest to non-residents. Royalties to non-residents: 10% unless a treaty reduces it.
VAT & payroll
VAT standard rate 24% (13% / 9% reduced); registration mandatory above EUR 40,000. Payroll: 22% PIT + 33% social tax on gross salary.VAT standard rate 24% (13% / 9% reduced); registration mandatory above EUR 40,000. Payroll: 22% PIT + 33% social tax on gross salary.
Levies in 2026
CIT on retained earnings0%
CIT on distributions22% (22/78)
VAT, standard24%
Personal income tax22% flat
Social tax33%
Unemployment insurance0.8% + 1.6%
Annual report to the registrar within six months of the financial year end - required even for dormant companies.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
Corporate services advisor
Advises clients on company formation, VAT and ongoing compliance, coordinating each step of the setup across the EU.
Alex Danila
Company formation specialist
Your day-to-day contact - coordinates incorporation, documents and the bank introduction, from the first call through to launch.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Watch: opening a company in Estonia with Prifinance
Open an EU business you can run from anywhere - full support for your Estonian company, start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
The questions every e-resident asks first.
Can I open a company without visiting the country?+
Yes. With an e-Residency card the whole process, from signing the founding documents to submitting the annual report, happens online. The only physical step is collecting the ID card, which can be done at an Estonian embassy near you.
How much does it cost to set up an Estonian company?+
Around €600 in the first year if you keep it lean: €150 for e-Residency, €265 for the incorporation entry, €200-400 for a contact person, and from €50/month if you outsource the accounting. Share capital comes on top, but the legal minimum is one euro cent.
Do I need a local director or an Estonian shareholder?+
No. The director and the owners of this private limited company can all be non-resident. The one related condition is the contact person: if the registered address on file is outside Estonia, a licensed provider must be appointed to receive official mail.
What is the minimum share capital?+
EUR 0.01 per shareholder - symbolic. One caveat: while the capital stays below EUR 2,500, shareholders may be personally liable for the difference should the company fail, so many still contribute a few hundred euros for credibility. Shares can be transferred to a new shareholder later.
Do I pay tax if the profit stays in the company?+
No. Retained and reinvested earnings stay outside CIT for as long as they remain in the company. Tax arises only on distribution: dividends, a share buy-back, or a deemed distribution such as an expense without a business purpose.
When do I have to register for VAT?+
Once taxable supplies exceed €40,000 in a calendar year. Registering voluntarily below the threshold is possible and often sensible for B2B models, since input credits become recoverable and the number signals substance.
Can an Estonian company work with clients abroad?+
Yes - a remote, international team is the norm here. Bear in mind that hiring employees in another country can create employer obligations there, so cross-border hiring deserves a short consultation before the first hire.
What ongoing compliance does the company have?+
Bookkeeping under the Accounting Act, the monthly TSD return in months when salaries or distributions are paid, turnover returns if VAT-registered, and one annual report filed within six months of the financial year end. An independent audit applies only above statutory size thresholds; a dormant company must still file the report.
Can e-residents open a bank account for the company?+
Opening an account with a licensed payment institution is the realistic route and fully sufficient for paying in the share capital. Traditional banks expect a real local connection, so a classic bank account usually comes later, if at all.
Does e-Residency give me tax residency or the right to live in Estonia?+
No. It is an electronic identity, not citizenship and not a visa, and it does not by itself change where anyone is taxed. Your personal taxes stay where you live; the company can become tax-resident elsewhere if it is managed from there.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
More from Prifinance
Other jurisdictions & licenses.
Free consultation
Start your Estonian company today.
Describe your business in a few lines, and a specialist will reply within one business day with a recommended structure, a timeline and a fixed quote.An Estonia specialist replies within one business day with a recommended structure, a timeline and a fixed quote.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓A clear recommendation, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team