EstoniaDigital status

Digital identity document in Estonia

An electronic identity document for foreign nationals that allows you to set up and run a company in Estonia remotely and to sign documents electronically. It is issued on the basis of electronic identification, without physical presence in Estonia. This is a purely digital document intended solely for electronic use. An important clarification: e-Residency does not give the right to live in Estonia, does not give citizenship and does not allow you to cross the border — for that you need a separate residence permit or visa.

Threshold

The state fee is 100 euros.

Work

The card does not allow you to work in Estonia.

Source: Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (politsei.ee)

Who e-Residency suits

The programme is designed for foreign nationals who want to carry on business activity in Estonia or use the state's electronic services in digital form.

Suitable for entrepreneurs

A foreign national with no residence permit in Estonia
Wants to open and run a company in Estonia
Can work entirely remotely

Suitable for digital services

Needs an electronic signature for contracts
Use of Estonia's electronic state services
A clean record: no criminal convictions or entry bans

When the programme is not a fit

You need to live in Estonia physically

Apply for a residence permit or a long-stay visa separately

You need to work as an employee in Estonia

e-Residency allows only your own business; a visa is needed to work

You are looking for Estonian citizenship

e-Residency does not give citizenship; it has to be applied for separately

You have had visa refusals or criminal convictions in other countries

This may be a reason for refusal; go through the PPA check before filing

What it costs

State fee for the applicationFrom 1 January 2025; paid on the self-service portal by VISA or MasterCard	150 EUR
Replacement of PIN codes at a police office in EstoniaA service where the PIN codes are lost or need to be replaced after the card has been collected	+10 EUR
Replacement of PIN codes at an embassy or consulateThe service abroad	+20 EUR

Paid separately

Delivery of the card — Included in the fee; the cost is the same regardless of the place of delivery
Change of the place of collection of the document — An additional payment on top of the main fee is required (the exact amount is not stated)

Documents to gather

All documents are filed through the self-service online portal or in electronic form.

A copy of a valid travel document (a passport, a foreign passport or an EU identity card) — both sides
A digital colour photograph of your face of at least 1300 × 1600 pixels, no more than 5 MB, in JPG/JPEG format, taken no more than 6 months ago
A CV (an online link to a profile or a file), or the option of filling in the information on the form
A personal identification code or date of birth
Information on citizenship and citizenship history
An address of residence and an e-mail address
Information on criminal records
Information on social media accounts and links to companies

How the process runs

The application process is entirely online and takes about 30 minutes.

1
Register and log in to the portal
5 minutes
Go to the self-service portal eresident.politsei.ee and start a new application
2
Upload the documents and the photograph
5 minutes
Upload a copy of both sides of your passport and a colour photograph of your face meeting the technical requirements (at least 1300 × 1600 pixels, JPG/JPEG)
3
Fill in your personal details
10 minutes
State your personal identification code or date of birth, citizenship, address, contact details, information on criminal records and your CV
4
Choose the place of collection and pay
5 minutes
Choose the collection point for the document (a police office in Estonia, an embassy or a mobile point) and pay the state fee by VISA/MasterCard
5
Receive the decision
30 days
The Police and Border Guard Board reviews the application. The decision to approve or refuse arrives within 30 days of filing
6
Delivery of the card to the collection point
2-5 weeks
After approval the card arrives at the collection point you chose. The exact time depends on the particular point. Mobile points have their own schedules, and the applicant receives a separate notification
7
Collection and activation
30 minutes
Collect the card at the collection point in person (a representative cannot collect it). Activate the PIN codes in accordance with the instructions

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The card does not allow you to live in Estonia and is not used to cross the border: it is needed only for electronic actions.

The digital identity document is valid for exactly five years from the date of issue. It cannot be extended — once it expires you have to file a new application, go through all the same checks and pay the state fee again. A new application can be filed at any time, but the card becomes valid only after the police have taken a decision.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The card does not lead to a residence permit. Visas and residence permits are applied for separately, and e-Residency gives no advantage there.

Route to citizenship

The card does not give citizenship.

Frequently asked questions about Digital identity document

Does e-Residency give the right to live in Estonia?

No. This is the most common misconception. e-Residency is a purely digital document for electronic use and gives no right of residence in Estonia whatsoever. It is not a residence permit, does not give the right to enter Estonia or the EU and is not a travel document. To move to the country you have to apply separately for a residence permit or a long-stay visa.

Does e-Residency allow me to work as an employee in Estonia?

No. e-Residency allows only the setting up and running of your own business in electronic form. To work under an employment contract in Estonia you need the appropriate visa or another document giving the right to work. That is a separate process with separate requirements.

Can I obtain the card if I have had several visa refusals?

The Police and Border Guard Board checks for visa refusals and entry bans. Visa refusals in other countries may be a reason for refusal under the e-Residency programme, but the refusal is not automatic. The final decision is taken by the police in each individual case on the basis of a full check of the applicant's history and purposes.

How long is the digital identity document valid for and can it be extended?

The digital identity document is valid for five years from the date of issue. Extension is not possible — once it expires you have to file a new application. A new application requires the checks to be carried out again and the state fee to be paid in full. A new application may be filed at any time, but the card becomes valid only after a positive decision by the police.

Where does the card arrive and who can collect it?

The card arrives at the collection point chosen when the application was filed. This may be a police office in Estonia, an embassy or a mobile point. The applicant MUST collect the card IN PERSON — a representative, relative or intermediary has no right to collect the document on your behalf.

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.