Company registration in Estonia (OÜ) based on e-Residency

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Kalytovska Sofiia

Lawyer

Ukraine / Lviv

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Publication date: 09.07.2025

My name is Sofia Kalytovska. I am a professional legal consultant from Ukraine. My key areas of law are contract and corporate law.

Initial Data:
A client — a citizen of Ukraine — contacted me after obtaining Estonian e-Residency. He aimed to register a company in Estonia to operate an IT business targeting the European market. The main goal was to establish a legal presence in the EU, issue invoices to foreign clients, benefit from Estonia’s flexible tax system, and manage the business remotely.

The client had no prior experience with Estonian law or the company registration process and was seeking full legal support — from consultation to company setup and ongoing bookkeeping assistance.

The Problem:

Although registering an OÜ company in Estonia is quite convenient and digitalized, the process can be challenging without practical experience. The client faced the following questions:

1. 
   What information is required for registration?
2. 
   How to register the company independently or through a representative?
3. 
   How to choose a name, activity types, and reduce tax risks properly?
4. 
   How to find an accountant who works with non-residents?
5. 
   Which bank or financial service can open an account without physical presence?
6. 
   How to submit documents without experience using Estonian digital systems?

The client wanted to register the company as quickly as possible without getting deeply involved in technical or bureaucratic details.

Solution:

I provided full-cycle legal support, broken down into logical steps.

1️⃣ Initial Consultation

During an online meeting, I explained to the client:

1. 
   The registration procedure based on e-Residency;
2. 
   The main legal entity types (OÜ — Private Limited Company);
3. 
   Minimum share capital requirements (€1);
4. 
   The basics of Estonia’s tax system (0% on undistributed profit);
5. 
   Monthly reporting, accountant selection, and legal address requirements.

We also discussed the list of documents, registration stages, timelines, and possible extra costs.

2️⃣ Data Collection for Registration

The client filled out a questionnaire based on which I prepared a summarized company profile. We agreed on:

• 
  Company name (after preliminary availability check in the registry);
• 
  Business activities according to the Estonian classification (EMTAK);
• 
  Owner and director data (in this case — the same person);
• 
  Legal address (via a service provider offering addresses for non-residents);
• 
  Contact person and email address for official communication.

3️⃣ Company Registration via Online Service

Since the client had an active e-Residency card, I prepared all necessary files and instructions and, if needed, passed the data to a selected intermediary to enter into the state e-Business Register. Everything was signed with the client’s digital signature.

The registration was completed in less than 48 hours.

4️⃣ Finding an Accountant and Opening an Account

After the company was registered, I helped the client:

• 
  Select an accounting service that works with foreign founders, files tax reports, and provides support in English;
• 
  Choose a payment platform (Wise, Paysera, Revolut Business) that supports Estonian companies without requiring physical presence;
• 
  Gather documents for company account verification.

I also provided advice on opening a traditional Estonian bank account during a future visit, if needed.

The Client Received:

A registered OÜ company with active status in the state register;

• 
  Articles of Association and incorporation documents in English;
• 
  Official legal address, contact person, and email for communication with Estonian authorities;
• 
  Contacts of a trusted accountant experienced in working with non-residents;
• 
  A functioning multi-currency account ready to receive payments and pay for services.

Result:

In under 10 business days, the client successfully registered the company in Estonia, started conducting official business operations, began receiving payments from foreign clients, and signed contracts under the legal entity.

Thanks to the legal support, all steps — from filing the application to submitting tax data — were completed without errors or the need for personal presence.