Starting a business in Estonia is straightforward. You can complete the company registration online in just 15 minutes, and your company will be ready within a day. However, the permits necessary for starting a business in Estonia must be obtained before you start providing services or selling goods.

Below is an overview of the fields that require licences in Estonia and how to apply for them.

Business Activities Requiring Licences in Estonia

The full list of business activities that require a licence or registration in Estonia is available on the economic activities register website. Click the link to check if your planned business or existing company is involved in any of the goods or services listed.

Common business activities that require a licence or registration include:

Construction
Financial services
Education
(Online) gambling
Transport
Tourism
Sale of food and beverages
Mediation of rental workforce and labour
Steps to Obtain a Business Licence in Estonia

Once you’ve confirmed that your field of activity requires special permits, follow these steps:

Establish a Company: If you haven’t already, set up your company. Ensure the correct EMTAK (Estonian Classification of Economic Activities) code is assigned. You can find the codes here. Only one main activity can be chosen. If your company will operate in multiple fields, designate the one expected to generate the most turnover as the main activity. You can also set up your company here.

Submit the Application: Log into the economic activities register and submit your application online.

Pay the State Fee: The state fee varies depending on the activity for which you’re applying.

Economic activity notices are registered within one workday, while licence applications are reviewed within 30 days. Once approved, your company is automatically entered into the register.

Compliance and Reporting 
It’s crucial that your business operations always comply with the terms of the licence or registration. Each year, when submitting the annual report, you must confirm the accuracy of the information provided to the registration authority. If there are any changes to your business setup, notify the supervising authority within five days.

Failure to comply can lead to the revocation of your licence or registration, which would prevent further business operations.

Need Assistance?
If you’d prefer to avoid dealing with various registers and laws, we’re here to help. Contact us at estonia@1office.co for assistance with establishing your business and acquiring the necessary licences.