Company registration in Estonia

Company Registration in Estonia

Company registration in Estonia is the process of officially establishing and registering a business in the Estonian legal system. In this process, a company becomes a legally recognised entity that has rights and obligations to the state and other members of the business community.

Company registration in Estonia is the process of officially establishing and registering a business in the Estonian legal system.

Registering a company in Estonia usually takes place through the e-Residency online platform and administrative authorities. 

Here is an overview of the process:

• Obtaining electronic residence (e-Residency): If you are not an Estonian citizen, you need to obtain electronic residency through the e-Residency programme. This allows you to run your company online from anywhere in the world.
• Planning and preparation: Determine the type of your future business, the structure of the company, choose its name and determine the main aspects such as share capital, directors and company address.
• Filling in the application form: You must fill in the online application form on the administrative authorities' website to register a business in Estonia. Here you will provide information about the company, its founders and directors, and choose the type of company (e.g. LLC or JSC).
• Documents for company registration in Estonia: You may need documents confirming the identity of the founders and directors, as well as documents related to the business plan or description of the company's intended activities.
• Payment of registration fees: There are certain fees that must be paid when registering a company. These may vary depending on the type of company and other factors.
• Waiting for a decision on company registration in Estonia: After submitting your application and all the required documents, you must wait for the administrative authorities to review your application. This process may take several weeks.
• Obtaining the certificate of incorporation: Once your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate of incorporation. From that moment you can start to carry out business activities under the jurisdiction of Estonia.

Legal stages 

The legal steps that a lawyer can provide in the context of company registration in Estonia include:

1. Consultation and preparation: the lawyer will consult with the client to understand their needs and objectives and provide information about the different types of companies in Estonia, their advantages and disadvantages, how company registration in Estonia takes place. They will help the client to choose the most suitable type of company and prepare the necessary documents for registration.
2. Document preparation: The lawyer can assist the client in preparing all the necessary documents for company registration, such as articles of association, agreements between the founders, documents on the appointment of the director and so on. They can also check all documents for compliance with the requirements of Estonian law.
3. Representation of the client's interests: The lawyer can act as the client's representative before Estonian administrative authorities, including the Trade Register, and ensure that the entire registration process goes smoothly and in accordance with the law.
4. Assistance in resolving legal issues: During the registration process, various legal issues may arise related to the choice of type of company, rights of founders and directors, taxation and other aspects. The lawyer will help the client to understand these issues and make informed decisions.
5. Post-incorporation support: After the company is incorporated, the lawyer can continue to provide support to the client, such as providing advice on company management, taxation, corporate law and other matters.

Under what conditions can the service be provided?

Business registration services in Estonia can be provided under the following conditions:

• Presence of necessary documents and information: The client must provide the lawyer with all necessary documents and information for company registration, including passport data of founders, company address, choice of company type, etc.
• Client's ability to pay for the services: The client must be willing to pay for the lawyer's services for his professional assistance in the company registration process.
• Compliance with the law: The client must act in accordance with the Estonian law and provide the lawyer with reliable information about the registration of a person's company in Estonia. The lawyer may refuse to provide services if the client violates the law or provides false information.

Under what conditions can the service not be provided?

The company registration service may not be available in the following cases:

1. Failure to provide required documents and information: If the client fails to provide all the required documents and information, the service may be temporarily suspended until they are provided.
2. Non-compliance with legal requirements: If the client's activities or plans violate Estonian law, the lawyer may refuse to provide the service or terminate the service.
3. Inability to pay for services: If the client is unable to pay for the lawyer's services, the provision of the service may be terminated or postponed until the issue of payment is settled.
4. Conflict of Interest: If the lawyer discovers a conflict of interest or other ethical issues, this may also be a reason to deny the service.

 How to figure it out on your own?

Registering a company in Estonia may seem like a complicated process, but you can figure it out on your own. Here are a few steps to help you get the job done:

• Research information: Do your research and look up information about registering a company in Estonia. Many resources, including official websites, provide detailed instructions and guides on this topic.
• Choosing the type of company: Determine which type of company best suits your needs. This may be an OÜ, AS or another type of company, depending on your goals and requirements. Document preparation: Gather all the documents you need to register the company. This may include the company's articles of association, passport details of the founders and director, company address and other documents.
• Filling out the application: Fill out the company registration application using the online platform or by contacting the relevant administrative authorities. Make sure you provide all the required information correctly.
• Payment of fees: Pay the registration fees associated with the incorporation of your company. Check the fees and available payment methods.
• Waiting for a decision: After submitting your application, you will have to wait for a decision from the administrative authorities. During this period you can continue to prepare for the launch of your business.
• Obtaining the certificate of incorporation: Once your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate of incorporation for your company. This means that your company is now officially registered and can begin to operate.
• Tax registration: After registering your company, don't forget to register with the Estonian Tax Office and get the necessary tax numbers and identification codes.

Frequent questions

What does the cost of services depend on?

Different types of companies (e.g. LLC or AOO) may have different registration requirements and procedures, which may affect the cost of services. If the incorporation process is complicated due to special requirements or complex legal issues, this may affect the cost of services. If you require additional support and advice from a solicitor or business adviser, this may also affect the cost of the service.