Residency and visas in Estonia

Estonia’s e-Residency programme gives a digital identity to people who live abroad, and it is often the first thing founders ask about. The state fee for applying for the digital ID is 150 euros, according to the Police and Border Guard Board. It is not the same as residence: it does not give a right to live in Estonia, so people who plan to move need a separate permit or registration, depending on nationality and purpose.

This is where a firm can help. It can explain which route fits your case, prepare the application, and check that the company side supports it, for example for a founder or an employee. The decision is made by the authorities, not the firm. Ask which permit types the firm handles in general terms, who collects the supporting documents, what happens if an application is refused, and how its fees relate to the state fees.

Of the 18 firms in Estonia that offer residency and visa support, the mix is 11 corporate services providers, 5 accounting firms and 2 law firms. 14 of the firms are small, 2 medium-sized and 2 part of large networks. English is offered by 16, Russian by 14 and Estonian by 13, and 17 say they work with foreign clients. Twelve publish pricing. Startups and e-commerce are the industries named most often (6 each). Read the Estonia guide, or compare practices in Tallinn.