e-Residency

e-Residency is a government-issued digital identity from the Republic of Estonia for people who do not live there. After an online application and background check, an e-resident receives a digital ID card. The card lets them sign documents digitally, use Estonian e-services, and found and manage an OÜ online. The application state fee is €150 (source: politsei.ee, checked 3 Oct 2026), and the card is valid for 5 years (source: politsei.ee, checked 3 Oct 2026). The programme has announced a state fee of €165 (source: e-resident.gov.ee, checked 3 Oct 2026) for new applications and renewals from 1 January 2027, so check the amount that applies when you apply.

It matters just as much to know what e-Residency is not. The e-Residency programme states that it does not grant citizenship, physical residency or the right to enter Estonia or the EU. It also states that e-Residency does not affect your personal tax residency and does not exempt your company from foreign tax liabilities. Where you and your company pay tax still depends on factors such as where you live and where the business is managed.

For the full picture, read Does e-Residency make me tax-resident in Estonia? and run the fit check.