types of companies in estonia

Heidi Havam • Apr 13, 2022 • 5 min read

What are the main business forms in Estonia? And what is the best type of company for your situation and activities?

Your e-Residency kit gives you access to many types of companies in Estonia.

You’ve applied for e-⁠Residency and picked up your digital ID. Now, you’re ready to set up your business activities in Estonia. But in order to legally do business here, it is first important to register a business entity. According to Estonia’s Commercial Code, which regulates company activities, there are six different types of companies in Estonia. Most are available to e-⁠residents (with the exception of a FIE) and include:

Private limited company (OÜ)
Sole proprietor (FIE)
Public limited company (AS)
General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)
Commercial association

We'll cover each of these types of companies in more detail below. But just to note firstly that there are a few alternatives: (a) a branch, and (b) a non-profit organization (MTÜ).

If you have an existing foreign company and you want to sell goods or services under that company's name on a permanent basis in Estonia, there is also an option to register the company with the Commercial Register as an official branch. Note that you will need to use a notary to register a branch, as you can read more here. Importantly, a branch is NOT a business entity. Rather, your foreign enterprise is liable in Estonia for obligations arising from the activities of the branch.

You can also register a nonprofit organization (MTÜ), which is an association of two or more members working towards a nonprofit objective. If you prefer to dig deeper into the law that regulates the NGOs in Estonia, feel free to have a look at the Non-profit Associations Act.

Private limited company (OÜ)

The private limited company (OÜ) is Estonia’s most common form of business. It is also the most common type of company registered by e-⁠residents. To put this into perspective, there are 20 933 businesses registered by e-⁠residents in Estonia and 20 690 of these businesses are registered as an OÜ (as at April 2022). In other words, 99% of all business types registered by e-⁠residents are OÜs.

An OÜ is likely the most suitable form of business for an e-⁠resident. Compared to other forms of legal entities, the main advantages are the simplicity of the registration process (can be done entirely online) and the minimal share capital (from €0.01 per shareholder). The majority of companies established by e-⁠residents have only 1-2 employees. Quite often, these companies operate with a single management board member. An OÜ also works well for freelancers and ‘solopreneurs’ because it can be registered by a single shareholder.

Key takeaways about OÜ types of companies:

Share capital requirement: from €0.01 per shareholder
Minimum required number of founders: 1
Financial liability: Shareholders are not personally liable

Best Way to Start a Company Online in EU | e-Residency

Want to open a company in Europe? Find out how easy it is to register a business in Estonia fully online at minimal cost with e-Residency.

Sole proprietor (FIE)

Sole proprietors (FIE) provide services or sell goods under their own name and are not legal persons. According to the Estonian Commercial Code, FIEs must be situated in Estonia, and as such are not typically available for e-⁠residents as a form of business.

Public limited company (AS)

17 Public limited companies (AS) have been registered by e-⁠residents in Estonia (as at April 2022). The minimum share capital requirement is €25 000. This form of business requires a supervisory board which has to consist of at least 3 members who are elected by the shareholders. An auditor must also be appointed.

Key Takeaways about AS types of companies

Share capital requirement: €25 000
Minimum required number of founders: 1
Financial liability: Shareholders are not personally liable

General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)

These two company types are not very common in Estonia. TÜ and UÜ both work in a similar way and are only registered in specific circumstances.

Key Takeaways about TÜ or UÜ types of companies

Share capital requirement: 0
Minimum required number of founders: 2
Financial liability: Shared equally (TÜ); at least one general partner has unlimited liability, at least one limited partner has limited liability (UÜ)

Commercial association

The purpose of this type of company is to support and promote economic interests of its members through joint economic activity.

Key Takeaways about Commercial associations

Share capital requirement: 0
Minimum required number of founders: 2
Financial liability: Partners are not personally liable unless agreed otherwise

What is the best option for e-⁠residents?

Although there are plenty of options to choose from, it’s safe to say that the best option for most e-⁠residents is to register an OÜ.

However, if you are not sure which company type would be the best fit for your business, feel free to contact a business service provider. They will be happy to take a look at your specific case and help choose the most suitable option.

For further information, you can also watch the recording of our webinar How to choose a suitable form of business in Estonia?

Please to watch this video.

Then, once you've decided which company type to register, follow the step-by-step instructions and start your company in 5 steps.

This article was written by Heidi Havam, Customer Support and Quality Manager at e-⁠Residency. If you have ever written to our support team, it’s likely that Heidi has assisted with your queries!

Find more in-depth, support-focused content on the e-⁠Residency Knowledge Base.

Share this article:

Facebook

X (ex-Twitter)

Is e-Residency for me?

types of companies in estonia

Private limited company (OÜ)

Key takeaways about OÜ types of companies:

Sole proprietor (FIE)

Public limited company (AS)

Key Takeaways about AS types of companies

General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)

Key Takeaways about TÜ or UÜ types of companies

Commercial association

Key Takeaways about Commercial associations

What is the best option for e-⁠residents?

More from e-Residency

Read next

Is e-Residency for me?

8 tips on applying for Estonian and EU startup company grants

How to create an Estonian holding company for your investments

Teaming up: how to find a co-founder

How to manage remote teams successfully: practical tips

How to access funding and grants for startups in Estonia

General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)

Private limited company (OÜ)

Key takeaways about OÜ types of companies:

Sole proprietor (FIE)

Public limited company (AS)

Key Takeaways about AS types of companies

General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)

Key Takeaways about TÜ or UÜ types of companies

Commercial association

Key Takeaways about Commercial associations

What is the best option for e-⁠residents?

More from e-Residency

Share this article:

Read next

Is e-Residency for me?

8 tips on applying for Estonian and EU startup company grants

How to create an Estonian holding company for your investments

Teaming up: how to find a co-founder

How to manage remote teams successfully: practical tips

How to access funding and grants for startups in Estonia

Get the e-Residency newsletter

General partnership (TÜ) and Limited partnership (UÜ)