If you have decided to start a company then you probably already know that company registration in Estonia is as easy as ABC! Especially if you are an e-resident. 1Office has made the process so simple that you can even do everything in one place and without leaving your home.
- If you are not an e-resident yet, but want to become one to open a company in Estonia, we recommend looking into this package.
- If you do not want to become an e-resident but still want to register a company in Estonia, there’s also a solution for you – establishing the company remotely through notary.
But if you already have your e-Residency card at hand, then the process is really quick and involves almost no bureaucracy. The most common business type to establish in Estonia is a private limited company (OÜ), but you can also read more about company types in Estonia. The following process is meant for starting a private limited company (OÜ). If you are interested in any other type, contact us.
But now, to begin registering a private limited company in Estonia go to our Company Formation page and let’s start the process!
Table of contents:
1. Select a name for your company
The first thing you should think about is the name that you are going to choose for your company. We recommend choosing something that wouldn’t be too hard to spell and something that would be web-friendly. The most important is that you yourself like the name and that there is not a company registered to the same name.
For this last one, we have a really convenient tool ready. Just type in the name you wish to use and click “Check availability”. If the name is available, you’ll see the green text saying that you can continue the registration.
If the name is not available, the tool says that you have to pick something else.
Start a company in Estonia
TIP: If you have no idea what your business name could be, you can always try something connected to your name.
2. Choose a monthly package based on your company’s needs
After you have typed in a company name that is available, you’ll get to choose a suitable monthly package for your company.
You can choose between four packages that each have their own features and tools. As Virtual Office services (legal address and contact person) are mandatory for every Estonian company whose management board is located outside Estonia, the Basic package is the bare minimum you can choose.
All the subscription packages also include:
- access to my1Office company management platform and app
- creating an unlimited amount of sale invoices
- option to easily forward and store expense documents
- 30-minute personal training from our support team to show you around.
For a dedicated accountant, annual report, bigger accounting volumes, contract management, and other premium tools, choose the suitable package for your business or contact our team to get a tailored solution for you.
TIP: We do have extra starting packages for e-commerce solutions: Amazon and Shopify.
3. Register an account in my1Office
After you have selected the package, you’ll be directed to create an account in my1Office, a special platform that will become a home for your new business. Everything you might need for your new company will be assembled together on this platform.
If you are new to 1Office, create an account for your company.
Before you can continue, you’ll also have to verify the account. The e-mail should land in your main e-mail box, but if it has not arrived, also check the promotions and/or spam folder.
And the last step before you can start the company registration is filling in the required profile and contact details.
If you have already registered an account in my1Office, just log in and continue with the option “Start a company in Estonia” and choose product “Company Formation in 1Office Company Formation Portal”.
4. Fill in your company data
After you have updated the profile details, choose that you want to establish a company in Estonia and you will be directed to the company application. The company name and monthly package are prefilled from the information you provided before, but it’s still possible to change them if necessary.
You can also search again for the company name if you want to see what other similar company names are registered in Estonia.
Tips of choosing the main activity of your company
If everything is correct, scroll down and fill in the company application form. You’ll also need to choose the main activity of your company – an activity that best describes your company’s business. It’s a five-digit code that you can find from the Estonian Business Register that is also linked to the application. If the link opens, it’s in Estonia, but you find the button “In English” from the top of the page.
Type in the word that describes your activities and you’ll be shown a list of options. Choose the most suitable one and insert it to the application form. By the way, the activity that you choose is just the main activity, it won’t prevent you from using the company for any other activities or fields in the future.
Now, back to the application!
If you are not managing the company from Estonia, check the box that your company’s board is not located in Estonia and the address blanks will be automatically filled with 1Office address information.
Then, fill in the information about persons related to the company.
TIP: If you are establishing the company for yourself, then the easiest is to choose “Fill with my profile data” for both Founder and Board Member, and you will be done in a second.
Click “Save and go to the next step”.
5. Select a banking solution for your Estonian company
The next step is choosing a banking solution for your company. In Estonia, it doesn’t matter if your company has an actual Estonian bank account, as Estonia accepts business accounts from all banks and fintech companies that are based in the European Economic Area.
Therefore, we recommend using online banking partners like Wise or Payoneer. They are low-cost and easy options to get your business started.
Make your choice, click “Save Extra Services” and then “Start digital signing”.
A pop-up will show up asking “Are you sure you want to submit the company registration?”. Click OK. You are nearly there to have your business in Estonia!
6. Start the digital signing process (with e-Residency card)
Now it is time to put your e-Residency card ready as you will need it to give a digital signature. It would also be good if your computer already has digital signing software, these instructions should have arrived with your e-Residency card set.
Insert the e-Residency card to the card reader and choose “Sign document with ID card or USB token”. Just follow the instructions and insert the PIN2 of your card to execute the signing. It should take just a minute or a few.
After the signature is given, click “Execute digitally signed application”.
7. Pay the fee for company registration
Now the last thing left to do is pay the company registration fee of 300 € (that already includes the state fee of 265 €). This screen appears and if everything is as it should, click “Pay with credit card”.
You’ll be directed to a page completing the order. Just fill in the details for the invoice (please type in the company name that is under establishment so that the invoice would be correct) and place the order.
And that’s it! Your application will be automatically directed to the Business Register.
8. Congratulations! Your Estonian company will be ready within 1 business day
Now all that’s left is to wait for your company to be established. But fortunately, this shouldn’t take long, as the Estonian Business Register will usually look over the applications in 1 business day.
After the company is established we will contact you regarding some mandatory forms from the government (Know Your Customer and Beneficial Owner forms) to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.
Start doing business in Estonia
Now you are ready to start with all the business activities and we will start providing services based on the package you chose. Of course, if you need anything extra, you can always turn to us as 1Office offers a large selection of legal and accounting services to companies.
