Prikhodko&Partners
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International corporate law
Business Setup and Support in Estonia OBTAINING AN ESTONIAN RESIDENCE PERMIT AND CITIZENSHIP

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.

OBTAINING AN ESTONIAN RESIDENCE PERMIT AND CITIZENSHIP

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine, many people migrated to the nearest states, one of them being Estonia. Since a long enough time has passed, many people plan to stay in Estonia, and in this case, there is a need to obtain a residence permit, and in the future, citizenship of this state. Although this procedure seems simple at first glance, it requires a detailed study of the legal framework of Estonian migration legislation and its correct application.

Therefore, to solve such issues, it is necessary to turn to professionals, such as migration lawyers from the Prykhodko and Partners law firm.

Benefits of legal residence in Estonia

Stay and free movement across countries
The opportunity to receive the best education, medicine, and administrative services
Developed infrastructure both in Estonia and abroad
Employment in the territory of Estonia, the possibility of receiving a high salary
Opening accounts in European banks
Free transportation and much more

Consultation on migration issues in Estonia includes the following services:

Explanation by our lawyer of complex migration norms and legal requirements in a language you understand. In particular, they will explain to you how to immigrate to Estonia correctly, what legal services in Estonia, what services must be paid to a lawyer, and what services can be done yourself, what documents need to be taken in Ukraine for a legal stay in Estonia, how to affix an apostille on documents, how to claim documents in the state structures of Ukraine and what to do with them in Estonia.

Ukrainian lawyer in Estonia

This is our competitive advantage, because YK Prykhodko and its partners have their own representative offices in the largest cities of Estonia, and provides migration support in Ukrainian and Russian in the following cities

Migration lawyer (migration consultation) in Tallinn

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: