COMPANY REGISTRATION IN ESTONIA

Estonia is a country known for its innovative economy, digital society, and business-friendly regulatory environment. These factors make it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs and investors wishing to establish a company in Europe. The procedure for registering a company in Estonia is quite simple, but before starting the process, it is important to understand all the rules and requirements.

Before proceeding with registration, you should decide on the type of company you plan to create.

There are different legal structures in Estonia, but the two most common types of companies are:

• OÜ (osaühing) – Limited liability company. LLC is the most common choice for small and medium-sized businesses. LLC owners are not personally liable for the company’s obligations.
• AS (aktsiaselts) – Joint-stock company. JSC is another type of company where shareholders own shares in the company and are liable to the extent of their contribution to the share capital.

The choice between these two options will depend on your business model and goals, but one of the most popular legal structures for establishing a business in Estonia is the LLC. This structure offers several advantages, such as limited liability of the owners and a simplified management procedure.

Advantages of creating an LLC in Estonia:

• Limited liability. LLC owners have limited personal liability for the company’s obligations. This means that their personal property cannot be taken to secure the company’s debts.
• Effective taxation. Estonia has an attractive tax system for entrepreneurs. Profit is taxed only when it is withdrawn from the company, which can significantly reduce the tax burden.
• Electronic management. Estonia is famous for its digital infrastructure, which makes doing business in the country very convenient. All business processes, including reporting and paying taxes, can be done online.
• Access to the European market. Estonia is a member of the European Union, which gives businesses the opportunity to freely exchange goods and services on the European market.
• Simple process of registration and management. Registering an LLC in Estonia can be done quickly and with minimal effort.

Stages of creating an OÜ (LLC) in Estonia

1. Choose the name of the company.  The name must be unique and not similar to the names of other registered companies in Estonia. You can check the availability of the name on the website of the Central Register of Companies and Organizations of Estonia (Commercial Register of Estonia).
2. Creating a statute. The charter is the main legal document that defines the rules of operation and management of the company. The charter also specifies the rights and obligations of the owners and managers of the company.
3. Definition of basic data. You need to determine the basic data about your company, such as the address of registration, and information about the owners and managers of the company. At this point, you should also determine the authorized capital of the company, that is, the amount you invest in the company.
4. Registration in the online system. Estonia offers an online business registration platform known as ” E-Residency “. With the help of this system, you can apply for the registration of your company and provide the necessary documents online.
5. Issue of shares (for AS ). Usually, an LLC in Estonia issues shares to its owners. It helps to define the rights and obligations of shareholders. If you register a Joint Stock Company (JSC), you must issue shares and distribute them to shareholders. Each shareholder will receive a number of shares proportional to their contribution to the company’s authorized capital.
6. Registration of tax number. Which will be used to pay taxes and file financial statements.
7. Opening a bank account. In order to conduct the financial activities of the company, you need to open a bank account in one of the banks in Estonia.
8. Submission of reports. The company must regularly submit reports and pay taxes. Estonia has a simplified taxation system, which makes this process quite convenient.

Therefore, company registration in Estonia can be a promising solution for entrepreneurs and investors who wish to have access to the European market and take advantage of the simplified registration and taxation procedure.

It is important to follow all the rules and procedures governing the establishment and operation of companies in Estonia and, if necessary, consult with qualified lawyers or business consultants. A quality approach to registration will help your business grow in the innovative and friendly environment of Estonia.