❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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Estonian e-Residency is a government-issued digital identity that allows non-residents to start and manage a company within the EU, entirely online. It gives access to Estonia’s secure digital business environment, including tools to sign documents, access banking, and file taxes remotely. More information here.

E-Residency is designed for location-independent entrepreneurs such as freelancers, consultants, digital nomads, and small business owners. Anyone over 18, with a clean background and valid ID, can apply—regardless of nationality or current place of residence.

No. E-Residency does not grant Estonian citizenship, tax residency, or the right to live in Estonia. It is a digital identity that enables business activity within Estonia’s jurisdiction but does not affect your personal tax status in your home country.

Not automatically. E-Residency does not provide the right to live or work in Estonia or the EU. If you wish to relocate, you must apply for the appropriate visa or residence permit through standard immigration channels.

No travel is required to set up your company—everything is done digitally. Some traditional banks may require an in-person visit, but most e-Residents use fintech options like Wise, Revolut Business, or Narvi, which can be set up entirely online. ADELANTE guides you through this process end-to-end.

An OÜ (Osaühing) is a private limited company in Estonia — the most common and flexible legal form for small and medium businesses. It offers limited liability, meaning your personal assets are protected, and it’s ideal for freelancers, consultants, and remote businesses serving international clients.

Once you have your e-Residency digital ID, setting up an OÜ can take as little as 1–3 business days. The process is fully digital and includes company registration through the Estonian Business Register, which ADELANTE handles on your behalf.

Yes, you can! 🇪🇪 Thanks to Estonia’s e-Residency program, you don’t need to live in — or even visit — Estonia to open and run a company there. As an e-resident, you can register and manage a fully legal EU-based business 100% online, from anywhere in the world. 🌍💻

It’s a perfect setup for digital nomads, solopreneurs, remote teams, SaaS founders, and global entrepreneurs looking to run lean, borderless businesses.

To start, you’ll need:

• A valid e-Residency card
• A business name and basic company info
• Your passport or national ID
• A registered Estonian legal address and contact person (required by law — provided by ADELANTE)

Yes. Estonian law requires every OÜ to have a legal address in Estonia and a local contact person for official communication. ADELANTE includes this service in all of our packages to ensure full legal compliance from day one.

Estonian companies only pay corporate tax (22%) when profits are distributed as dividends. If profits are retained or reinvested, no corporate tax is due. This is called deferred taxation, making Estonia highly attractive for growth-focused businesses.

Deferred taxation means you only pay tax when you take money out of the company as dividends. As long as you reinvest in the business, your profits remain untaxed. This boosts cash flow and encourages long-term growth 📈.

💡 Yes, possibly — depending on your personal tax residency.

Estonian e-Residency allows you to run a company that's legally based in Estonia 🇪🇪 — but it doesn’t change your personal tax residency.

That means if you live (or are considered a tax resident) in another country, you may still have to report your personal income there, especially if:

• You withdraw dividends
• You pay yourself a salary
• Your local country has rules on controlled foreign companies (CFCs)

🌍 Tax laws vary, so we always recommend speaking with a local tax advisor or booking a consultation with us to understand your specific case. Want us to help you navigate it? 👉

🚫 No — and that’s not the goal.

Opening an Estonian company through e-Residency is not a way to "avoid" taxes. Instead, it's a transparent and efficient system designed to help entrepreneurs manage taxes smarter — not dodge them. 💡⚖️

Estonia offers:
✅ 0% corporate income tax on retained profits (you only pay when you distribute them)
✅ A simple, digital-first approach to accounting and compliance
✅ A trusted EU business environment — great for global founders

However:
🌍 Your personal tax obligations still apply in your country of residence (e.g. dividends, salary).
📄 Estonia shares tax data with other countries under international agreements.

So it’s not about hiding income — it’s about building lean, legal, and future-ready businesses in a smarter, more global-friendly jurisdiction.

Need help figuring out what this means for you? 👉

Yes. You can open a remote EU business account with fintech providers like Wise or Revolut. Some Estonian banks may still require in-person visits, but for most digital businesses, fintech solutions are ideal and fully online.

Yes. You can legally hire both EU and non-EU employees or freelancers under Estonian law. Payroll and contracts must meet compliance requirements — which we help you manage.

Yes. Estonian companies are fully recognized EU entities. You can use your OÜ to register on platforms like Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, Shopify, and more. ADELANTE helps ensure proper setup for each platform.

Yes. Many fast-growing startups, SaaS companies, and remote agencies use Estonian OÜs. The model is flexible, scalable, and ideal for international growth, especially for digital-first businesses.

✅ Yes, you can.
Estonia’s e-Residency program is designed specifically to let non-residents establish and manage a fully legal Estonian company from anywhere in the world — including Spain 🇪🇸.

You don’t need to live in Estonia or even visit. Everything — from company formation to banking and taxes — can be done 100% online.

What we we help you with :

• Register your Estonian OÜ remotely
• Stay compliant in Estonia by managing your taxes, specific declarations and filings
• Finding business contacts, potential customers, or employees in Estonia

Important: Where you live determines where you’re a tax resident so you can consult with us on how to stay compliant also in your jurisdiction or then seek advice from your tax advisor.