--- title: E-residency application date: 2025-09-05T08:06:03Z modified: 2026-08-19T09:05:50Z permalink: "https://grow.ee/teenused/e-residentsus/" type: page status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 14904 timestamp: 2026-08-19T09:05:50Z tags: [] --- ![](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Digitaalne-raamatupidamine-Grow-2-720x403.webp) # **e-residentSus** E-Residency is a digital identity provided by the Estonian state, which allows people living abroad to use Estonian e-services without physically being in Estonia. It is not citizenship and does not grant the right to reside or work in Estonia, but it offers several advantages, especially in the areas of entrepreneurship and digital business. [ CONTACT US ](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/vota-meiega-uhendust.md) ## **What is e-Residency?** Estonia is the first country to offer e-Residency to people living and working anywhere in the world. E-Residency is a secure and convenient way to run a business regardless of location. E-Residents are given a digital identity issued by a state agency, which allows them to access Estonian e-services and operate in Estonia's transparent business environment anywhere in the world. - E-Residency is valuable to many people living and working around the world, but it is not a magic solution that will help everyone. Some people will benefit more from e-Residency than others - it all depends on their circumstances and business models. - E-Residency does not cancel international obligations, such as tax obligations. E-residents and their companies must pay taxes in accordance with international and national legislation. It is important to create commercial substance for the company in Estonia, for example, renting an office, hiring employees, spending time here or registering assets. - E-Residency is not a way to circumvent or compare with the income tax system applied to foreign companies to create a shell company. In fact, the Estonian business environment is one of the most trusted and transparent in the world thanks to various measures - for example, basic data of Estonian companies, such as their owners and annual reports, are public and confirmed by digital signature, while all companies managed by e-residents have a registered address and [authorized contact person](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/juriidilise-aadruis-ja-kontaktisiku-teenus.md). - A company created through e-Residency is not a virtual company. This is an Estonian and EU company with an equal legal basis. All EU countries allow non-residents to run companies from abroad, but Estonia offers this in a much more convenient and secure way through e-Residency, as we are already a digital society where companies are run online. - An e-resident company does not need to have a traditional Estonian bank account, which can be difficult if the e-resident company does not have operations in Estonia. E-residents can use business accounts with fintech companies or other banks located in the European Economic Area. The account is not guaranteed for e-residents, as banks and fintech companies set their own rules and criteria for accepting clients. - E-Residency may not be a useful solution for people living in countries known as high-risk areas for financial transactions, as access to business banking or payment solutions services may be impossible for them. - More information about e-Residency: [e-resident.gov.ee](http://e-resident.gov.ee). ## **Benefits of e-Residency for Estonia** - Estonia's influence as an innovative digital state increases - Estonia's business environment is diversified and empowered - Estonia's tax revenue is growing E-Residency allows global businesses and talented people to come to Estonia, making our business environment more active. They create more jobs and enable local companies to increase their international competitiveness. Thanks to e-Residents, local Estonian companies are growing. ## **What can a foreigner do with an e-resident digital ID?** The e-resident digital ID is an opportunity for foreign citizens to securely access the e-services of the Estonian state. A person who has an e-resident digital ID card can participate in both private and public law activities, for which an Estonian identity card is required. The e-resident digital ID allows you to perform operations only through e-services. E-residents can establish companies in Estonia and easily manage them, even if they are not in Estonia. Entrepreneurs from countries outside the European Union can also establish companies in Estonia and organize their activities within the European Union. E-residents can use Estonian online banks, submit tax returns and use digital signature options. It should be mentioned that e-Residency is not equivalent to the right to reside in Estonia, enter Estonia and does not grant tax residency in Estonia. The e-resident digital ID cannot be used as a document proving the identity of a natural person. ## Who can apply for an e-resident digital ID? Persons who have a justified interest in using Estonian e-services can receive an e-resident digital ID if: - they are foreigners without a residence permit and right of residence in Estonia; - they are not staying in Estonia as an alien under the International Military Cooperation Act and do not have a residence permit card or a valid identity card issued by the Police and Border Guard Board. An Estonian citizen abroad who is entitled to an Estonian identity document cannot obtain an e-resident digital ID. The e-resident digital ID, which has been issued since 1 May 2018, is valid for 5 years. ## **How to establish a company electronically?** An e-resident has the same opportunity to establish a company electronically in Estonia as Estonian citizens. This can be done in the e-business register. ## **E-Residency and taxes** Estonia has signed agreements with dozens of other countries to avoid double taxation. It should be borne in mind that e-Residency in Estonia is not an automatic exemption from taxation by other countries. In terms of Estonian tax laws, an e-resident is actually a non-resident, in which case income earned in Estonia is taxed in Estonia. Since an e-resident company can also be managed from foreign countries, the company may also be liable for tax in another country. ## **Virtual Marketplace** The virtual marketplace has been created to support the export of Estonian companies. The virtual marketplace team is working to make life easier for e-residents. They check the reliability of companies on the marketplace. Therefore, cooperating with companies that are not on the marketplace is also riskier. E-Residence created a functioning customer base for companies on the virtual marketplace. Estonian companies that want to help e-residents develop their companies are expected to join the virtual marketplace. ### **Reasons why to join the e-resident virtual marketplace** The e-resident community has grown rapidly, and this in turn has increased the need for several services. It offers Estonian companies various business opportunities. E-residents want to purchase [bookkeeping](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/raamatupidamine.md), [legal advice](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/juriidiline-noustamine.md), [address service](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/juriidilise-aadruisi-ja-kontaktisiku-teenus.md), banking services and much more. - A great opportunity to expand your company's competitiveness internationally - An opportunity to contribute to the development of your company and increase your company's turnover - You can contribute to developing a world-class business services sector in Estonia - Creating innovative products in the business services sector - A path to new customer segments - Expanding your company's global networkHow to join the marketplace? Joining the virtual marketplace is easy. You must fill out a registration form and submit a few recommendations from previous clients who are e-residents, and the recommendations must also be digitally signed. Then, a proper background check is carried out on the company, because we want to make sure that the company is definitely suitable for the marketplace. ## **We assist our clients in applying for e-Residency and in preparing documents.** As of December 1, 2014, a digital ID can be issued to a person who is not an Estonian citizen or a foreigner living in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit. E-Residency can be applied for by all foreigners who wish to use Estonian e-services, both private individuals and companies. E-Residency gives foreigners living abroad similar opportunities to Estonian residents to operate in the Estonian e-environment. For example, a person from outside the European Union can create a base center for their business in the European Union - they can establish a company in Estonia and actively participate in the management, accounting, sales, development, and profit growth of the OÜ. Applicants for e-Residency must know that this is a benefit, not a right. A digital identity card is issued to a person who has a connection with the Estonian state or a justified interest in using the e-services of the Estonian state. A digital identity card is issued only if the person is trustworthy and there is reason to believe that he or she is using the digital identity card in good faith. If the Police and Border Guard Board suspects that a person may misuse the digital identity card, it has the right to refuse to issue it. In addition to refusing to issue it, the Police and Border Guard Board may suspend or terminate the validity of the digital identity card in the event of the slightest suspicion. **E-Residency does not give a foreigner rights that only Estonian citizens** or permanent residents have (e.g. to vote in the Riigikogu and local government elections, to belong to political parties). ### **Documents required to apply for a digital ID** - Application form - Foreign identity document - One color photo measuring 40×50 mm - Free-form written explanation of the intention to use the digital ID and the circumstances of its use - Document proving payment of the state fee The application will be reviewed within 3-8 weeks and a background check will be conducted on the person during this time. If the application is approved, you will receive your digital ID card from the Police and Border Guard Board service office in Estonia or elsewhere at Estonian embassies, consular missions or other service provider's issuing point (service fees may apply). When receiving it, you need to bring your identity card issued by your country, which was also submitted when applying. You will also need to provide your fingerprints. ## Talk to our financial expert [ CONTACT US ](https://grow.ee/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/vota-meiega-uhendust.md)