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EstoniaResidence permit

Residence permit for entrepreneurs in Estonia

A programme for foreign nationals from outside the EU who invest in a business in Estonia. The applicant must be a shareholder of a company registered in the Estonian Commercial Register and demonstrate sufficient financial means. A medical insurance contract and registration of a place of residence in the population register are required. This is a long-term solution for carrying on business activity in Estonia.

Visa term
Issued for up to 5 years and extended for up to 10 years at a time.
Processing time
A reply within 90 days; the residence permit card within 30 days after that.

Source: Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (politsei.ee)

Who can apply

The programme is intended for investors and entrepreneurs from outside the EU who are ready to invest in their business and live in Estonia.

Company shareholders

  • Holders of a share in an Estonian company
  • Those who have invested capital in the company's development
  • Entrepreneurs ready to carry on activity in Estonia

Citizens of countries

  • People from outside the European Union
  • Citizens of countries outside the EEA and Switzerland
  • Foreign nationals with the financial means to live in Estonia

When the programme is not a fit

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

They have the right of free movement within the EEA and do not need this residence permit

Those who want to create innovative start-ups with an expert assessment

There is a separate start-up programme with its own criteria and requirements

Investors ready to invest more than a million euros

The programme for major investors offers more favourable conditions for large capital investments

Those who have no company in Estonia

You first have to set up and register a company in the Estonian Commercial Register

What it costs

State fee (collection in Estonia)The charge for reviewing the application and issuing the residence permit350 EUR
State fee (collection at a foreign representation)The alternative where the card is collected abroad380 EUR
Minimum investment in the companyCapital investment in the activity of a company registered in Estonia65 000 EUR
Delivery of documents to a foreign representationAn additional charge where delivery is required+20 EUR
Change of the place of collection of the documentA payment for changing the collection point+10 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Delivery of documents to a foreign representation” adds 20 EUR; “Change of the place of collection of the document” adds 10 EUR; the “State fee (collection at a foreign representation)” branch replaces the “State fee (collection in Estonia)” line — 65 380 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.65,350–65 380 EUR

Paid separately

  • Company registration — Part of the cost of setting up the company, separate from the state fee for the residence permit
  • Medical insurance — Paid separately according to the price lists of the insurance companies

Documents to gather

To file the application you will need to collect a set of documents proving your ability to run a business and to live in Estonia.

  • A medical insurance contract meeting the requirements of the Aliens Act
  • A description of the business plan in Estonian or English
  • Detailed information about the company and the nature of its activity
  • An explanation of the business concept and the development strategy
  • Financial forecasts for two years of activity
  • CVs of the members of the company's management
  • Reasons for choosing Estonia for doing business and living
  • Documents confirming income (sufficient to live on)

How the process runs

Obtaining the residence permit involves several consecutive stages, each of which requires careful preparation and adherence to the time limits.

  1. 1

    Register or prepare the company in the Commercial Register

    1-2 weeks

    The company must be registered in the Estonian Commercial Register. If there is no company, it has to be set up. You must be a shareholder of that company.

  2. 2

    Make the investment in the company's activity

    variable

    At least 65 thousand euros must be invested in the development and activity of the company. This investment has to be documented.

  3. 3

    Collect and prepare the documents

    2-4 weeks

    All the necessary documents are prepared: the business plan, financial forecasts, CVs of the management, proof of income and the medical insurance contract.

  4. 4

    File the application with the Police and Border Guard Board

    1 day

    The application with all the documents is filed with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. The state fee is paid at the same time.

  5. 5

    Review of the application by the authorities

    up to 90 days

    The Police and Border Guard Board reviews your application and all the documents submitted. At this stage additional information may be requested.

  6. 6

    Receive the decision and the card

    up to 30 days after approval

    After a positive decision the residence permit card is issued within 30 days. The card can be collected in Estonia or at a foreign representation.

  7. 7

    Registration in the population register

    up to 1 week

    After receiving the residence permit you have to register your address of residence in the Estonian population register.

Timelines and rights

Residence

There is an obligation to settle in Estonia and register your place of residence in the population register.

Frequently asked questions about Residence permit for entrepreneurs

How long does the whole process of obtaining the residence permit take?
Roughly up to 120 days: reviewing the application takes up to 90 days, and issuing the card up to 30 days after a positive decision. The exact time depends on how complete the documents submitted are.
Can I apply if I already have a company in Estonia?
Yes, if you are already a shareholder of a company registered in the Estonian Commercial Register and meet all the other requirements as to income, medical insurance and investment.
What is 'six times the subsistence level' and how much is that?
This is income that must be 6 times the officially set subsistence level in Estonia. The exact amount is set each year in the Estonian state budget act and may change.
Is knowledge of Estonian required to file the application?
The language is not stated as a mandatory requirement of the programme. The business plan may be prepared in Estonian or English, which makes the process easier for foreign applicants.
For how many years is the residence permit issued and can it be extended?
The initial residence permit is issued for up to 5 years. It can be extended, and each extension may be granted for a period of up to 10 years.
What kind of medical insurance is required?
The medical insurance must meet the requirements of the Aliens Act. You confirm that you hold an insurance contract when you file the application.

Other ways to move to Estonia

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Estonia.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.