Start-up residence permit in Estonia
The programme is provided for owners of innovative early-stage companies with the potential for international growth. The candidate must hold a share in a company registered in the Estonian register that has received a positive assessment from the expert committee. The programme requires proof of sufficient income and of medical insurance, as well as compulsory residence in Estonia and registration of a place of residence. The residence permit is issued for an initial period and may be extended if the conditions are met.
Who the programme suits
The programme is designed for owners of innovative start-ups who meet certain requirements.
Ideal for
- Founders and co-owners of technology start-ups
- Entrepreneurs with an innovative business model
- Foreign nationals from outside the EU planning to expand their business in Europe
Conditions of access
- Holding a share in a company registered in Estonia
- A positive assessment from the expert committee
- Confirmed income at the required level
Support
- Advice from the expert committee on the assessment of the start-up
- A residence permit for up to the initial period
- The possibility of bringing family members to Estonia
When the programme is not a fit
Traditional service businesses with no innovative model
A residence permit for entrepreneurs without the start-up expert assessment requirement, or e-Residency for running the company remotely
Restaurants, cafés and local retail outlets
A residence permit for doing business with a different assessment model, or investment programmes
Consultancy and freelance services with no scalability
The programme for foreign employees, or for entrepreneurs with no innovation requirements
What it costs
| State fee for the residence permitPaid when the documents are filed with the Police and Border Guard Board | 160 EUR |
|---|---|
| State fee for the long-stay visaPaid at the embassy or consulate when the visa application is filed | 80 EUR |
| Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below. | 240 EUR |
Paid separately
- Assessment by the start-up committee — No state fee is charged for the review of a Startup Estonia application
- Registration of the company in the register — If the company is already registered; a new registration carries separate fees in the commercial register
Documents to gather
The documents are filed in two stages: first for the assessment by the Startup Committee, then for the residence permit.
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages
- A completed residence permit application form
- A copy of the letter confirming a positive assessment from the expert committee
- Proof of registration of the company in the Estonian Commercial Register
- A medical insurance contract under § 120 of the Aliens Act
- A photograph of 35×45 mm
- Proof of payment of the state fee
- Proof of sufficient income
How the process runs
Obtaining the residence permit involves several consecutive stages, from the assessment of the start-up to registration of the place of residence.
- 1
Pass the assessment of the start-up by the expert committee
up to 10 working daysFile the application for assessment through Startup Estonia. The expert committee of the Ministry of the Interior will assess whether your company meets the definition of a start-up and will issue a letter with a positive or negative assessment.
- 2
Prepare the documents for the residence permit
2-4 weeksCollect all the documents required: a copy of the committee's letter, the company registration documents, a valid passport, the insurance contract, a photograph and proof of income.
- 3
File the application with the Police and Border Guard Board
1 dayFile the application in person at a Police and Border Guard Board office together with the documents, and pay the state fee of EUR 160.
- 4
Wait for the decision on the application
up to 90 daysThe authorities review your application. During this period they may request additional documents or clarifications.
- 5
Receive the decision and the card
up to 30 days after approvalAfter a positive decision the residence permit card will be produced. It can be collected at a Police and Border Guard Board office.
- 6
Register your place of residence in the population register
1 month after arrivalYou must register your place of residence in the Estonian population register within one month of receiving the permit and arriving in the country.
Who you can bring with you
Family members of a start-up founder may obtain a residence permit as dependants for the duration of the founder's permit.
A spouse
Children under 18
Adult children with a disability
Renewal and the grace period
The residence permit is initially issued for up to the initial period. Once that period expires the permit may be extended for up to the maximum period allowed, provided the candidate continues to meet all the requirements of the programme, including having an active company with a positive assessment and proof of sufficient income. Extension requires that compliance with the conditions be confirmed again and that the state fee be paid.
Frequently asked questions about Start-up residence permit
Does my company have to be registered already before I apply for the start-up assessment?
Am I obliged to move to Estonia after receiving the residence permit?
What is the minimum investment required for a start-up?
How long is the residence permit valid for and can it be extended?
Other ways to move to Estonia
- Long-stay D visaVisa
- Residence permit for employmentResidence permit
- Residence permit for businessResidence permit
- Residence permit for studyResidence permit
- Residence permit for family reunificationResidence permit
- Permanent residence — long-term resident's residence permitPermanent residence
- Estonian citizenship by naturalisationCitizenship
- e-ResidencyDigital status
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.