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welcome to the EU – it's open for your business

Tap into the European business ecosystem through e-⁠Residency, Estonia's digital identity. Expand your client base, access funding, and operate remotely – 100% online. Apply and pick up your card in South Africa until December 18, 2025.

Become an e-resident
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Your business powered by e-Residency

Business without borders

In the EU market

  • Sell goods or services to clients in any EU member state
  • Simplify VAT obligations with the new OSS and IOSS VAT programmes
  • Secure your Intellectual Property and streamline funding
Business people walking in Tallinn old town

Simple corporate environment

  • Open and run your company 100% online
  • Easy-to-navigate tax environment – in English
  • Developed business support market and startup ecosystem
The difference between location independent, a remote worker, and a digital nomad

Operating on your terms

  • Reliable remote access to services through your digital identity
  • Access EU banking and trade in Euros
  • A first step to Estonia's Startup Visa
  • Apply online now and collect your card in Cape Town or Johannesburg until December 18, 2025 from temporary pick-up points. Otherwise, pick up at 50+ locations globally.

130,000+

e-⁠residents worldwide

#1

Estonia's global tax competitiveness rank

under 30

minutes to open a company

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Next steps to becoming an EU business owner

  1. 1

    Submit your online application

    Along with required documents and fee by December 18, 2025 to receive your card in South Africa

    Apply online

  2. 2

    Receive a decision

    From the Estonian Police & Border Guard Board

  3. 3

    Pick up your e-Residency kit in Cape Town or Johannesburg

    From temporary pick-up points in South Africa until December 18, 2025. Otherwise, pick up your card at 50+ other locations year-round.

    View other pickup locations

  4. 4

    Find support

    For bookkeeping, business banking and tax

    Visit our Marketplace

  5. 5

    Register your company online

  6. 6

    Start operating

    Seamlessly reaching the EU consumer market

Join 450+ South African e-residents

Portrait of Christelle S.

“I was looking for a country where I can run things remotely to save time and money. Most of my clients are from Europe and the US, so it was also convenient to set up my business in Estonia.”

Christelle S.
Easy Assistant&Co OÜ, South Africa
Portrait of Fabrice A.

"Estonia was the easiest way to incorporate the company and manage it remotely,"

Fabrice A.
PayQin, Ivory Coast
Portrait of Fifi M.

"Running a European-based company has led my clients to trust me more. My work relates to GDPR regulation compliance, so Estonia is the ideal business address."

Fifi M.
Fifi M Advisory, South Africa / digital nomad
Portrait of Jasper P.

"The business process has been made as easy as possible. It's really affordable, costing only a few thousand Rand for the administration, and progresses smoothly."

Jasper P.
Dronescan, South Africa

Apply for e-⁠Residency

    Apply Now