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e-Identity

Estonia’s e-ID: The Cornerstone of a Seamless Digital Society

Every Estonian, no matter where they live, has a state-issued digital identity—known as e-ID. In use for over 20 years, the e-ID is a cornerstone of Estonia’s e-state, enabling secure digital transactions in both the public and private sectors.

People use their e-ID daily to:

  • Vote online

  • Sign documents digitally

  • Access healthcare records

  • Manage banking and business

  • Shop securely and more

Multiple formats, one secure identity

The e-ID ecosystem includes:

  • ID-card (chip-based)

  • Mobile-ID (SIM-based for smartphones)

  • Smart-ID (app-based authentication)

Each option offers strong security and legal validity for digital interactions.

Digital inclusion beyond borders: e-Residency

Since 2014, Estonia offers e-Residency—a unique program allowing non-residents to access Estonian e-services and build borderless businesses. Over 100,000 e-residents now benefit from Estonia’s trusted digital ecosystem.

Saving time, enhancing trust

Thanks to digital signatures, each Estonian saves an average of five working days annually. These tools make public administration faster and reduce bureaucracy—without sacrificing trust or transparency.

Shaping Europe’s digital future

Estonia has actively shaped the EU eIDAS regulation, ensuring cross-border recognition of electronic identities and signatures. As part of eIDAS 2, Estonia champions identity wallets—secure mobile apps for identification, signing, and document storage.

Pushing boundaries: Identity wallet & split-key technology

Estonia is exploring next-generation identity wallets and split-key technology, offering a more secure alternative to traditional mobile systems—especially where European certification is required.

These innovations make digital identity:

  • More mobile

  • More secure

  • Easier to use—without compromising on privacy

Driving European interoperability

Through initiatives like POTENTIAL, Estonia is helping develop interoperable digital driver’s licenses and other identity solutions across the EU, fostering both legal alignment and technical progress.

Conclusion

Estonia’s e-ID system isn’t just a technical solution—it’s a visionary model for digital governance. By fully integrating e-identity into daily life, Estonia has created a secure, efficient, and inclusive digital society that sets the global standard.

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

33,000+

e-resident companies

120,000+

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 (Monday to Friday, 9:00-16:30 Estonian time)
Regarding e-Residency, visit their official webpage.

Find us

The Briefing Centre is conveniently located just a 2-minute drive from the airport and around 10- to 15-minute drive from the city centre.

You will find us on the ground floor of Valukoja 8, at the central entrance behind the statue of Mr Ernst Julius Öpik. We will meet the delegation at the building’s reception. Kindly note that a booking is required to visit us.

Valukoja 8
11415 Tallinn, Estonia