Comprehensive launch of an Estonian OÜ for international business: e-Residency, company registration, registered office, contact person, account opening, accounting, VAT where required and ongoing legal support.
Estonia is one of Europe’s most digitalised jurisdictions for remote business management through e-Residency. Its key advantage is 0% corporate income tax on undistributed and reinvested profits, making the country convenient for IT companies, e-commerce projects and startups.
Prikhodko & Partners is one of the leading partners for Ukrainian businesses in matters of company registration in Estonia. We provide comprehensive support: OÜ registration through e-Residency or under a power of attorney, registered office, contact person, corporate account, accounting and tax support.
During the consultation, we will determine the optimal registration route, documents, timeframe and further steps — from the registered office and contact person to the account, accounting and company operations after launch.
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Two ways to register an OÜ in Estonia: e-Residency or power of attorney
An Estonian company may be registered through e-Residency or under a notarised power of attorney. The optimal option depends on your timeframe, available documents, need for remote management and preferred level of involvement in the process.
Registration through e-Residency
Suitable if you want to manage the company online independently, sign documents remotely and use Estonian digital services. We support preparation for e-Residency, OÜ registration, the registered office, contact person, accounting and the subsequent launch of the company.
Registration under a power of attorney
Suitable if the business needs to be launched without waiting for e-Residency or without your personal participation in the registration procedures. You execute a notarised power of attorney with an apostille, and we coordinate company registration through local partners in Estonia.
How company registration in Estonia works
The process of establishing an Estonian OÜ consists of several stages: selecting the registration method, preparing documents, arranging the registered office and contact person, entering the company in the register, and subsequently setting up the account, accounting and tax support.
01 Business model analysis and selection of the registration method
We analyse your area of activity, ownership structure, future counterparties, countries of operation and the need for an account, VAT or accounting. We then determine which route is more suitable: e-Residency or registration under a power of attorney.
02 Preparation of e-Residency or power of attorney
If e-Residency is selected, we support preparation of the application and subsequent use of the card for company registration. If a power of attorney is selected, we help prepare the document for OÜ registration through local representatives.
03 Registered office and contact person
For a non-resident structure, it is important to properly organise the local infrastructure: a registered office in Estonia and a contact person. We coordinate these elements so that the company complies with registry requirements and can properly receive official correspondence.
04 OÜ registration
We prepare the incorporation documents and coordinate the registration of a private limited company — OÜ. Depending on the selected method, the company is registered through the electronic business register or with the involvement of a local representative.
05 Account, accounting and operational launch
After registration, we help prepare the company for opening an account with a bank or EMI, arrange accounting support, determine the need for VAT and prepare documents for working with clients, partners or contractors.
To begin the process of opening a company in Estonia, you need to prepare basic information about the owners, future activities and the preferred registration method. This also helps to establish a clear business model in advance for a bank or payment institution.
e-Residency or power of attorney: an e-Residency card with PIN codes or a notarised power of attorney with an apostille for registration through a representative.
Identification documents: copies of passports of the founders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners.
Company name and structure: preferred OÜ name, composition of owners, distribution of shares and details of management board members.
Business model description: what the company will do, who the clients are, countries of operation, expected payments and counterparties.
Post-registration needs: registered office, contact person, account or EMI, accounting, VAT, agreements and ongoing legal support.
OÜ, registered office and contact person
For most international projects in Estonia, the most commonly considered form is an OÜ (Osaühing) — a private limited company. This format is suitable for IT, SaaS, e-commerce, consulting, online services and international B2B activities.
Legal and administrative requirements
Registered office: the company requires an address for official correspondence and interaction with Estonian authorities.
Contact person: if the company’s management board is located outside Estonia, a licensed contact person is generally required. We help arrange this infrastructure through local partners.
Accounting: an Estonian company must maintain accounting records and submit reports. We help arrange accounting support and explain which obligations arise after registration.
Ongoing administration: after the OÜ is established, corporate changes, agreements, VAT, data updates or banking compliance support may be required.
Bank account and EMI for an Estonian company
Opening an account is often a more complex stage than company registration itself. A bank or payment institution may review the ownership structure, beneficial owners, source of funds, business model, countries of operation, future counterparties and the company’s connection with Estonia.
For remote businesses, licensed payment institutions and EMI solutions are often considered in addition to traditional banks. They may be convenient for IT, e-commerce, consulting, SaaS and international B2B projects, but each case requires a separate assessment.
How we assist with the account
analyse the company’s business model and future payments;
help prepare a description of activities for the KYC / AML review;
structure information on owners, beneficial owners and the source of funds;
identify possible banking or EMI solutions depending on the case;
support communication and preparation of documents for opening the account.
Taxes and costs for a company in Estonia
Estonia is known for its deferred corporate taxation model: a company does not pay corporate income tax until profits are distributed to the owners. This makes the jurisdiction convenient for businesses planning to reinvest funds in development, marketing, team, product or international expansion.
The final tax burden depends on the business model, residence of the owners, type of transactions, clients, countries of operation and whether dividends or salaries are paid. During the consultation, we help assess not only company registration but also the subsequent tax and accounting model.
Indicator / cost
Benchmark
Comment
Undistributed profit
0%
No tax is paid while the profit remains in the company and is not distributed to the owners.
Distributed profit / dividends
22% / 22/78 coefficient
Tax arises when profits are distributed. The actual outcome for the owner depends on residence and international tax rules.
VAT
24% standard rate
Mandatory registration depends on turnover and place of supply. The threshold in Estonia is €40,000 for relevant transactions.
State fee for e-Residency
€150
Paid when submitting the e-Residency application. The amount of the fee should be checked before submission.
State fee for online OÜ registration
€265
Fixed state fee for electronic company registration.
Minimum OÜ capital
from €0.01
The amount of capital and the procedure for contributing it are determined when preparing the company structure.
Registered office, contact person, accounting
depends on the package
These services are usually required for administering the company after registration.
Calculate the cost of services
Frequently asked questions
Is there really no corporate income tax in Estonia?
Estonia applies a deferred taxation system. This means that while profits remain in the company’s accounts or are reinvested in its development, the corporate income tax rate is exactly 0%. Tax is paid only when funds are distributed in favour of the founders.
What is the current tax rate on dividends? (Does the 14% preferential rate still apply?)
The preferential 14% tax rate on dividends was completely abolished from 1 January 2025. Currently, all distributed profits (dividends) are taxed at a single rate of 22% (calculated using the 22/78 formula on the amount of the distribution).
Can I open an account with a traditional Estonian bank remotely?
No. Traditional Estonian banks require proof of a close economic connection with the country (substance) — the presence of a genuinely leased office in Tallinn and employed resident staff. For remote businesses operating through e-Residency, the optimal and reliable solution is to use licensed payment institutions (EMIs) that provide full IBAN accounts.
Is a company required to pay a salary to its director?
Estonian law does not require a company to pay a mandatory salary to its director. If you are a tax resident of another country and do not live in Estonia, you may also be exempt from paying Estonian social tax (33%) provided that social insurance coverage in your country of actual residence is confirmed.
What are the conditions for obtaining a residence permit through business?
A successfully operating business is a lawful basis for obtaining a residence permit. The legislation requires an investment of at least EUR 65,000 in the company’s share capital for shareholders, or at least EUR 16,000 if the business is registered as a sole proprietorship.
Prikhodko & Partners team of specialists providing legal support for businesses in Estonia
Among business representatives from Eastern Europe and the Black Sea-Caspian region
TOP-20 law firms in Kyiv according to the Ukrainian Business Award rating
Law firm "Prykhodko & Partners" received recognition and an honorable place in the ranking
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In 2024, the Law Firm "Prykhodko and Partners" was included in the list of 250 most promising small and medium-sized companies in Ukraine according to Forbes
EBA Member
We are members of the European Business Association, the company's CEO is the head of the Legal Committee of the Kharkov office
Do you need professional advice on registering a business in Estonia?
We work Monday - Friday from 9:30 to 18:00. If you leave a request after 18:00 on weekdays - we will contact you the next business day starting at 9:30.
Taras Miroshnychenko
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