Articles

How to change board members or shareholders in your Estonian company: A practical guide

As your business grows, so does your team. Whether you’re bringing in new talent, restructuring ownership, or simply updating your company’s records, knowing how to properly change board members or shareholders is essential for staying compliant in Estonia.

At Unicount, we regularly assist e-residents with company amendments. These changes may seem procedural, but they carry legal weight, and when done correctly, they help protect your business, clarify responsibilities, and ensure smooth operations.

This guide walks you through the key steps, legal requirements, and practical considerations involved in updating your Estonian OÜ’s management board and shareholder structure.

Closing your Estonian company: What e-Residents need to know about liquidation

Liquidation isn’t something most entrepreneurs plan for when they launch a business. But for some e-residents, closing a company becomes a necessary step, whether due to shifting priorities, changing markets, or simply the natural end of a venture.

At Unicount, we’ve noticed a growing number of clients entering the liquidation process in Estonia. It’s a trend we take seriously, and we want to ensure that e-residents have access to clear, accurate information and professional support when making this decision.

This guide outlines the key steps, options, and considerations involved in liquidating a private limited company (OÜ) in Estonia. Whether you’re ready to dissolve your business or just exploring your options, we’re here to help.

Estonia’s e-Residency revenue doubled in 2025. What this means?

In the first half of 2025, Estonia’s e-Residency program generated €68 million in direct economic impact, nearly twice the projected figure. This surge in revenue, driven largely by tax contributions from e-resident companies, marks a turning point in the program’s evolution and signals a new era of opportunity for global founders.

For entrepreneurs seeking a streamlined, EU-based business environment, Estonia is no longer a hidden gem. It’s a proven platform for building lean, compliant, and scalable companies entirely online.

Why your Estonian company might lose EU VAT number?

For many e-residents, obtaining an EU VAT number is a key step in running a cross-border business through Estonia. It enables smoother invoicing, especially within the EU, and signals that your company is active and compliant.

In 2025, however, some e-resident companies have encountered challenges when applying for or maintaining their VAT registration. These cases are not due to sudden legal changes, but rather a more consistent application of existing rules by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.

Dual tax residence explained: What e-Residents of Estonia must know

Estonia’s e-Residency program makes it possible to establish and run an EU-based company entirely online. But if you’re managing your Estonian company from another country, you may encounter a complex issue: dual tax residence.

Dual residence occurs when a company is considered a tax resident in more than one country at the same time. This can lead to confusion over where your company should pay taxes, how to report income, and which country has the right to tax your global earnings.

In this guide, we’ll explain what dual residence means, how it’s determined, and what steps you can take to avoid tax conflicts and stay compliant.

How to renew your e-Residency digital ID and keep your Estonian company active

Estonia’s e-Residency program allows entrepreneurs around the world to start and run an EU-based company entirely online. But like any official identity document, your e-Residency digital ID card has an expiration date. If you’re an e-resident managing an Estonian company, renewing your digital ID is essential to maintain access to Estonia’s secure digital services, including the Business Register, annual report filing, and digital signature tools.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the renewal process, explain what to prepare, and highlight how to keep your Estonian company compliant during the transition.

Comprehensive E-Residency Glossary: All Terms and Definitions for 2025

Estonia’s e-Residency program, launched in 2014, has revolutionized how entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads can establish and manage businesses in the European Union. By providing a government-issued digital identity, e-Residency enables non-residents to access Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure, start an EU-based company online, and operate it from anywhere in the world. As of 2025, over 120,000 e-residents from 170+ countries have joined, creating more than 33,000 companies. This glossary provides a super extensive dictionary of all e-Residency-related terms, offering clear definitions and practical insights to help you navigate the program. Whether you’re applying for e-Residency, registering a company, or managing taxes, this guide covers every key term in detail.

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business in Estonia with E-Residency in 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business in Estonia with E-Residency in 2025

Introduction to e-Residency

Estonia’s e-Residency program, launched in 2014, has transformed how global entrepreneurs can establish and manage businesses in the European Union. By offering a government-issued digital identity, e-Residency enables anyone to start an EU-based company entirely online, leveraging Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure. As of 2025, with over 120,000 e-residents from 170+ countries and more than 33,000 companies established, the program remains a top choice for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, digital nomads, and startups seeking a cost-effective, location-independent business setup. This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of starting a business in Estonia as an e-resident, including the latest updates, application process, company formation, banking, taxes, compliance, and more. Whether you’re launching a tech startup or a freelance consultancy, this guide will help you navigate the process with ease.

Why can’t I log in with my ID-card?

If you’re trying to log in to Unicount using your Estonian ID-card or e-Resident card and it’s not working, don’t worry. There are a few common reasons for this issue, and we’ll walk you through how to fix them.

Most likely reasons (and quick fixes)

• Missing software or plugins: You might not have the DigiDoc software installed or the browser plugin needed to use your ID-card.
• Browser not supported or misconfigured: Some browsers need extensions enabled (like Web eID) to work with your card.
• Operating system or hardware issues: Your OS or card reader might need updates, or the card itself could have expired certificates.

The easiest long-term fix: Use SMART-ID instead