Estonia’s e-Residency program lets anyone, anywhere in the world, start and manage a fully digital EU-based company. The process is simple, transparent, and 100% online. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to get you started.
1. Apply for an e-Residency Card
Begin by applying for your Estonian e-Residency card through the official e-Residency portal.
You’ll need to:
- Complete the online form
- Upload a digital passport photo and ID
- Pay the state fee
- Choose your preferred pickup location (an Estonian embassy or official collection point)
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your e-Residency kit — containing a digital ID card and card reader.
Tip: You must collect the card in person, so select a pickup location that’s convenient for you.
2. Choose a Service Provider
A licensed service provider helps you register your company, provides a legal address and contact person (required by Estonian law), and can offer accounting, tax, and compliance services.
Corporate Providers List
Xolo
Xolo (formerly LeapIN) is a Tallinn-based fintech / business administration platform founded around 2015. It specialises in helping freelancers and micro-businesses launch and run companies, combining services like online company formation, banking/invoicing, and accounting into one platform. FF News | Fintech Finance+3xolo.io+3techstartups.com+3
Notably, Xolo’s platform automates much of the administrative work (expenses, invoices, tax reporting) and aims to reduce the burden on small business owners.
Your Company in Estonia
(This one has less publicly visible information in my search.)
From discussions, “Your Company in Estonia” appears as a service provider that helps e-Residents start a company in Estonia, similar in scope to other formation agents. You might need to visit their website to get full details of their offering, pricing and service levels.
1Office
1Office is an international business services provider specializing in company formation, accounting, and compliance for remote entrepreneurs and e-Residents in Europe. Founded in Estonia, 1Office operates in several countries — including Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and the UK — helping individuals and SMEs establish and manage companies completely online.
For Estonian e-Residents, 1Office offers:
- Company registration (both OÜ and branch)
- Legal address and contact person services (required by Estonian law)
- Virtual office and mail handling
- Accounting and annual reporting
- Banking and payment solution setup
- Tax and payroll services
They also provide a cloud-based business management platform called my1Office, allowing entrepreneurs to handle accounting, documents, and compliance remotely.
Comistar Estonia
Comistar Estonia is a full-service business advisory firm that helps international entrepreneurs, startups, and digital businesses start and manage companies in Estonia through the e-Residency programme. Founded in Tallinn, Comistar goes beyond basic incorporation — offering expert guidance on taxation, licensing, and legal compliance.
Their core services include:
- Company formation for e-Residents and non-residents
Accounting and tax planning, including VAT, payroll, and annual reporting - Virtual office and contact person services
- Legal and compliance consulting, including shareholder agreements and restructuring
- Licensing for regulated industries, such as crypto, fintech, and payment institutions
Comistar’s expertise makes it particularly popular among founders running complex business models — for example, SEO or affiliate businesses working with global payments, or startups in fintech and blockchain sectors that require regulatory approval.
B2Baltics Consulting
B2Baltics Consulting specialises in helping e-Residents establish Estonian companies. They emphasise low cost, remote incorporation (often same day), virtual office and contact person services They present themselves as easy, cost-efficient, with competitive monthly virtual office / bookkeeping fees from as low as ~€12.50/month.
Magrat
Magrat appears in “guide to e-Residency” listings among service providers but I did not locate a detailed public description in my search. You may need to check Magrat’s own site for up-to-date info — they likely offer company formation, address and contact person services for e-Residents.
Unicount
Unicount is an online platform that makes incorporation of Estonian companies extremely quick and paperless (especially suited for solo founders). They emphasise a self-service experience with support languages and virtual office capabilities. They promise things like “company registration in 5 minutes” for eligible users with e-Residency.
Enty
Enty is a fully-end-to-end back-office platform for companies founded under Estonia’s e-Residency programme. The service includes company incorporation, accounting, multi-currency bank account assistance, VAT/EORI registration, payroll and more — all accessible via one window. They support multiple shareholders, board members, and large feature set for managing the company’s compliance and services.
Most providers offer tiered packages that include company registration, legal address, contact person, and accounting services. Some even include a virtual office and bank account assistance.
Tip: Always compare service fees and what’s included in each package before you sign up.
3. Choose Accounting Software
Once your company is registered, you’ll need reliable accounting software to manage invoices, VAT, and reports. Estonia requires annual financial reporting, so pick software that integrates with your bank and supports your accountant’s workflow.
Best Accounting Software
- SimplBooks — intuitive cloud accounting platform ideal for Estonian companies (Lithuanian version, branded link).
- accountant software — SimplBooks Finland version for local users or accountants managing cross-border businesses.
- Xero — global accounting software with strong integrations and automation features.
- QuickBooks Online — perfect for SMEs needing simple, straightforward bookkeeping.
- Zoho Books — offers invoicing, VAT handling, and reporting for smaller companies.
- FreshBooks — user-friendly solution for freelancers and micro-entrepreneurs.
Tip: Ask your accountant which system they prefer — this will simplify collaboration and ensure your financial reports meet Estonian standards.
4. Set Up a Business Bank Account
To run your company, you’ll need a business bank account or payment service to receive client payments and pay expenses. e-Residents often use international fintechs that provide easy online onboarding.
Popular Options
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — multi-currency business accounts with EU IBANs and fast international transfers.
- Revolut Business — modern online banking with invoicing tools and card management.
- Payoneer — useful for global businesses and online marketplaces.
Some Estonian service providers can also assist with opening traditional bank accounts (such as LHV or SEB), though this may require in-person verification.
Step-by-Step Summary
- Apply for your e-Residency card
- Collect your digital ID kit
- Select a service provider
- Register your company online
- Choose accounting software
- Open a business bank account
- Start invoicing and managing your EU-based company remotely
Conclusion
Estonia’s e-Residency program offers entrepreneurs a powerful gateway to the European business environment — but it comes with responsibilities. Remember that e-Residency is not citizenship or tax residency; it simply grants you digital access to manage and operate an Estonian company remotely.
To stay compliant, always maintain a legal address and contact person in Estonia, and make sure your accounting software integrates seamlessly with your bank to keep finances transparent and up to date. Most importantly, protect your e-Residency ID card — it’s the secure digital key to your company, filings, and business identity.
Handled correctly, e-Residency lets you enjoy the freedom of global entrepreneurship with the reliability of Estonia’s digital infrastructure.