Prikhodko&Partners
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Fintech
Business Setup and Support in Estonia
Sale and purchase of ready-made firms Buy a ready-made company in Estonia

Taras Miroshnychenko

Head of International Corporate Law and Fintech Practice

E-mail

miroshnychenko@prikhodko.com.ua

Phone numbers

Expert in fintech, crypto, and international corporate law with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in crypto licensing (VASP/CASP), iGaming business support, and international structuring, asset protection, and OSINT analytics for risk assessment and due diligence.

Buy a ready-made company in Estonia

Buying a ready-made company in another country can be a great way to expand your business or start a new project.

Estonia has long been known for its support for entrepreneurs and easy conditions for company registration.

However, before buying a ready-made company in Estonia, it is necessary to carefully study all aspects of the process.

Why do many people choose Estonia to buy a company?

There are several key reasons why many people choose Estonia to do business.

Here are some of them:

Electronic business management. Estonia is famous for its advanced digital infrastructure, which includes electronic identification (e-residency), electronic tax reporting, and other online services. This makes doing business in Estonia very convenient and efficient.
Minimal bureaucracy. Estonia is known for its minimal bureaucracy and quick company registration procedures. It usually only takes a few days.
The tax system. Estonia has an attractive tax system for business. The system of income taxation is implemented on the basis of the principle of income taxation only in the case of its payment, and not when it is accumulated. This creates an incentive for business development and investment.
Access to the markets of the European Union. Estonia is a member of the European Union (EU) and the Eurozone, which gives businesses access to the large European market and favorable trading conditions within the EU.
Innovative spirit. Estonia actively promotes innovation and technological development. The country is home to many successful technology startups and supports the development of new technologies.
Openness to foreign investments. Estonia is open to foreign investment and business. The legal system and legislation create a favorable climate for foreign investors.
Business flexibility. Estonia offers many different forms of entrepreneurial activity, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to choose the most suitable option for their business.
Stability and reliability. Estonia is known for its stability, transparency, and reliability in business and law enforcement.

These factors make Estonia an attractive country for entrepreneurs and investors looking for favorable conditions for business development and investment.

The main nuances that must be taken into account for the purchase of a company in Estonia

Choice of company type. First of all, you need to decide on the type of company you want to buy. The following types of companies are popular in Estonia: Individual Entrepreneurship (FIE), Limited Liability Company (OU), Joint Stock Company (AS), and others. The choice depends on your goals and type of activity.
Search for a ready-made company. There are several ways to find a ready-made company in Estonia. You can use the services of local brokers, search for options on business portals, or cooperate with lawyers who specialize in buying companies.
Verification of legal purity. Before taking any steps to buy a company, it is important to check its legal purity. Determine if the company has debts, lawsuits, or other legal issues.
Drawing up a purchase and sale agreement. After choosing a company and checking its legal purity, you will need to enter into a purchase and sale agreement. The agreement must be correctly drawn up and include all conditions and obligations of the parties.
Change of company owner. After signing the purchase and sale agreement, it is necessary to register the change of the company owner in the register of enterprises of Estonia. This process may take some time and requires the submission of necessary documents.
Payments and taxes. You must take into account all necessary payments and taxes related to the purchase of a company in Estonia. For example, income tax, VAT, mandatory contributions, and other financial obligations.
After-sales process. After the purchase process is complete, you should consider how you will manage the company, how you will collect reports, pay taxes, and conduct business on behalf of the new owner.

For a reliable and calm process, you can contact our law firm “Prikhodko and Partners”.

Experts will do everything responsibly and qualitatively and will help to buy the best version of the company in Estonia. The main thing is to be safe and headache-free.

In general, buying a ready-made company in Estonia can be a promising opportunity for developing your business or creating a new one.

However, this process requires detailed study and consideration of all legal and financial aspects. The involvement of professionals and compliance with all regulatory requirements guarantee a successful and safe purchase of a ready-made company in Estonia.

For consultation or calculation of the purchase price of a ready-made company in Estonia – fill out the form below.

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1 question

Do you urgently need to buy/sell a ready-made company?

Yes

2 question

Do you need to select a jurisdiction for the purchase/sale of a ready-made company?

Yes

3 question

Do you need tax advice?

Yes

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.

Successful cases on the topic: