🎯 Move Smarter: Your Digital Key to Europe with Estonian E-Residency
Counara consultant using a laptop with digital overlays showing global business, the Estonian flag, and the EU shield.
Are you a global mover—an entrepreneur, consultant, or digital nomad—seeking a stable, legitimate, and fully remote foundation for your business? You don't need to physically relocate to get one.
Estonian E-Residency is the world’s first and most successful digital residency program. It’s not a visa, citizenship, or the right to live in Estonia. It is a secure, government-issued digital identity that gives you access to a fully online, modern European business environment.
Think of it as the ultimate tool for digital clarity—a way to separate your business operations from your physical location.
✅ Who is E-Residency For? (The Global Mover)
The program is not limited to Non-EU citizens—it is open to almost everyone globally who is not an Estonian citizen or resident. E-Residency is specifically designed for the location-independent entrepreneur.
Global Movers & Digital Nomads: Seeking a transparent, trustworthy EU company while traveling the world.
Non-EU & EU/EEA Entrepreneurs: Looking for a stable, digital-first legal entity to access the European Single Market.
Consultants & Freelancers: Needing a professional corporate entity to manage international contracts and billing.
How to Get It (The Essentials)
Apply Online: Fill out the application and state your reason for needing the digital ID (e.g., establishing an Estonian company). The state fee is currently €150.
Mandatory Security Vetting: The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) conducts a security and background screening on every applicant. This involves checking compliance with the law, criminal records, and assessing your purpose to ensure the integrity of the program.
Collection: Once approved, you must attend a mandatory in-person appointment at an Estonian embassy or service point to collect your digital ID card.
🌟 The Top 3 Strategic Benefits for Your Global Business
E-Residency is the foundation for designing a sustainable, location-independent business model:
1. The Stability of an EU Company, Managed Remotely
Your business is registered under the stable legal framework of an EU member state, instantly boosting your international credibility.
Global Trust: Use a recognizable EU entity (OÜ) for simplified contracts and payments worldwide.
Digital Signatures: Your card enables legally binding digital signatures, saving you time and paperwork complexity.
100% Remote Operation: From company setup to managing taxes—all steps are handled online.
2. The Smart, Entrepreneur-First Tax System
Estonia is globally renowned for its simple, competitive tax code that prioritizes growth and reinvestment.
0% Corporate Tax on Retained Profit: This is the core advantage. Your company only pays Corporate Income Tax (CIT) when profits are distributed as dividends. If you reinvest money back into your business, it remains tax-free.
Current Rate: The CIT rate on distributed profit is 24% (effective 2026).
Disclaimer: E-Residency does not change your personal tax residency. You must always comply with tax obligations in the country where you physically reside.
3. Future-Proofing Your Digital Identity
Estonia is constantly innovating. The program is actively moving towards Mobile e-Residency by 2027, simplifying the digital ID card and integrating it with new digital wallets—ensuring your setup remains cutting-edge.
💡 Get the Strategic Guidance You Need: Partnering with Counara
E-Residency provides the tools, but success requires strategic planning to navigate applications, compliance, and banking hurdles. Counara offers the expert, cultural guidance you need, built on lived experience as an Estonian company owner.
We provide actionable guidance and digital clarity to turn complex transitions into smooth, confident steps.
How Counara Empowers Your E-Residency Journey:
Estonian E-Residency & Business Setup: We offer focused guidance on the process: what agencies to choose, how to get bank account approval, and what key information to provide in your e-Residency and banking applications.
Accounting & Taxation Basics: Learn how Estonian business taxation works—including the 24% distributed profit tax—and gain clarity on practical compliance requirements.
Remote Lifestyle & Digital Clarity: Design a sustainable, location-independent business model that fits your goals and personal rhythm.
Stop moving harder, and start moving smarter.
Book your free 15-minute Intro Call with Iliyana Hristova to discuss your goals, your Estonian e-Residency strategy, and get your questions answered by someone who has already mapped this global path.