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e-Identity

All Estonians, no matter where they happen to live, have a state-issued digital identity. This electronic identity system, called e-ID, has existed over 20 years and is the cornerstone of the country’s e-state. e-ID and the ecosystem around it is part of any citizen’s daily transactions in the public and private sectors. People use their e-Identities to pay bills, vote online, sign contracts, shop, access their health information, and much more.

Estonians can use their e-Identity via state-issued identity or ID-card, using Mobile-ID on their smartphones, or the application Smart-ID. Holders of a digital identity need not be Estonian residents anymore however. Since 2014, Estonia has also offered a program called e-Residency for anyone who wishes to become an e-resident of Estonia and access its diverse digital services, regardless of citizenship or location.

 

e-Residency

In 2014, Estonia was the first country in the world that launched its e-Residency program to fulfill its ambition of creating a borderless digital society for global citizens.

The program provides holders of e-Residency with a transnational digital identity. This identity allows them access to a platform built on inclusion, legitimacy, and transparency.  E-residents also have access to the European Union business environment and can use Estonian public e-services.

People from across the globe choose to become e-residents to start and run a trustworthy, location-independent EU company online with all the tools needed to conduct business worldwide, entirely online. 

To find out more and apply for the e-Residency, visit their website: https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/

What can you do with e-Residency?

 

  • Set up and manage a location-independent company online from anywhere in the world
  • Establish a trusted EU company online in one day
  • Manage the resulting company fully online
  • Apply for a business bank account and conduct secure e-banking
  • Access international payment service providers (Paypal, Braintree, etc.)
  • Digitally sign and transmit documents
  • Declare Estonian taxes online

29,000+

e-resident companies

109,000+

e-residents

Why open a company in Estonia?

  • Join one of the most advanced digital societies
  • Membership of the EU, NATO, OECD, and eurozone provides advantages and stability
  • Low startup and maintenance costs
  • Growth is incentivized with 0% corporate tax on reinvested profits
  • Minimal bureaucracy and a clear tax framework
  • Minimal corruption in a transparent business environment
  • Trade in euros to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations

E-residents receive a digital ID-card with two PIN numbers for secure digital authentication and digital signatures. Secure digital signatures are legally equivalent to a handwritten signature and face-to-face identification in Estonia, as well as between partners upon agreement anywhere around the world.

e-Residency is Estonia’s gift to the world – the opportunity for anyone, anywhere to succeed as an entrepreneur.

To learn more, visit the  e-Residency webpage.

Contact

Visit us physically or virtually

We host impactful events both in our centre and online for government institutions, companies, and media. You’ll get an overview of e-Estonia’s best practices and build links to leading IT-service providers and state experts to support your digitalisation plans.

Questions? Have a chat with us.

E-mail:
Media:
Call us: +372 6273157 (business hours only)

Find us

The Briefing Centre is conveniently located just 2 minutes drive from the airport and 10 to 15 minutes drive from the city centre.

You will find us on a ground floor of Valukoja 8, central entrance behind the statue of Mr Ernst Julius Öpik. Photo of the central entrance.

Valukoja 8
11415 Tallinn, Estonia