When you need each and how it works for e-residents
When setting up and running an Estonian company as an e-resident, two terms appear early and often: legal address and contact person.
They are related, but they are not the same and misunderstanding the difference is a common cause of compliance issues later.
This guide explains when a legal address is sufficient, when a contact person is mandatory, and how these requirements apply in practice for e-resident companies in 2026.
Every Estonian company must have a legal address
A legal address is the official address of your company recorded in the Estonian Business Register.
This is where official notices and procedural documents are considered delivered.
The legal address is public and used by authorities, banks, partners, and counterparties to identify where your company is formally based.
In Estonia, a company can have its legal address in one of two ways:
- An address in Estonia, typically provided by a licensed virtual office service provider
- The address of the management board, even if that address is outside Estonia
Both options are legally valid, but they lead to different obligations.
When a legal address in Estonia is enough
If your company uses a legal address in Estonia, provided by a licensed virtual office service provider, a separate contact person is usually not required.
In this setup:
- Official documents are sent to the Estonian address
- The service provider receives and forwards them to you
- The company remains reachable in Estonia at all times
This is the most common arrangement for e-residents, because it keeps everything in one place and avoids additional compliance steps.
At Unicount, this is covered through the Virtual Office service, which includes:
- A compliant Estonian legal address
- Handling and forwarding of official mail
- Visibility in the Business Register that meets local requirements
When a contact person becomes mandatory
A contact person is required if both of the following apply:
- Your company’s legal address is outside Estonia
- Your management board is located outside Estonia
In this case, Estonian law requires the appointment of a licensed contact person in Estonia.
The reason is simple: the authorities must be able to deliver official documents within Estonia and treat them as legally received.
What a contact person actually does (and does not do)
A contact person’s role is narrow but important.
They:
- Receive procedural documents and official notices
- Forward them to the company without delay
- Serve as the legally recognised point of delivery
Once a document reaches the contact person, it is legally considered delivered to the company, even if you have not yet read it.
A contact person does not:
- Act on behalf of the company
- Make decisions
- Represent the company legally
- Need access to bank accounts or systems
They are not a director, shareholder, or employee.
Who can act as a contact person in Estonia
Only licensed or regulated professionals may act as contact persons, including:
- Licensed trust and company service providers
- Advocates or law firms
- Sworn auditors or audit firms
- Registered tax representatives
- Notaries
The appointment is time-limited, usually one year, and must be renewed before expiry.
If the appointment lapses and the company does not have a mandatory contact person, this is a valid ground for initiating company deletion proceedings.
Why keeping this setup active is important
Official notices sent to your legal address or contact person may include:
- Annual report reminders from the Business Register
- Tax return notices or audit requests from the Tax and Customs Board
- Mandatory surveys from Statistics Estonia
- Court documents or administrative decisions
Failure to receive or respond to these notices can lead to:
- Fines
- Forced deletion of the company
- In serious cases, issues affecting e-Residency status
This is why the legal address and contact person are not formalities. They are part of how the Estonian system ensures companies remain reachable and accountable.
How Unicount structures legal address and contact person services
Depending on your situation, Unicount allows you to choose what you actually need:
- Virtual Office only
Suitable when you want an Estonian legal address and no separate contact person is required. - Contact Person only
Used when your legal address is outside Estonia but the law requires a local contact person. - Virtual Office + Contact Person
A combined solution for founders who prefer a fully local setup with no gaps in compliance.
All options are designed to meet Estonian legal requirements and can be adjusted if your company structure changes.
Final thoughts
In Estonia, the distinction between a legal address and a contact person is clear in law but often misunderstood in practice.
The key rule is this:
- Every company must have a legal address
- A contact person is required only in specific cross-border setups
- Both must remain valid and active at all times
Understanding this early helps e-resident founders avoid unnecessary risks, missed notices, and compliance problems later.
If you are unsure which setup applies to your company, clarifying it sooner rather than later is always the safer choice.
FAQ: Legal Address and Contact Person in Estonia
Do all Estonian companies need a legal address?
Yes. Every Estonian company must have a registered legal address recorded in the Estonian Business Register. This is the official address where authorities send legal notices and procedural documents.
Is a contact person mandatory for all e-resident companies?
No. A contact person is required only if the company’s legal address is outside Estonia and the management board is also located outside Estonia. If your company uses an Estonian legal address from a licensed service provider, a separate contact person is usually not required.
What happens if my contact person appointment expires?
If a company is required to have a contact person and the appointment expires without renewal, this may serve as grounds for initiating company deletion proceedings. The Business Register expects the contact person appointment to remain valid at all times.
Can my contact person act on behalf of my company?
No. A contact person has no authority to represent the company, sign documents, or make decisions. Their role is limited to receiving and forwarding official documents and notices.
What documents are sent to the legal address or contact person?
Typical documents include annual report reminders, tax notices, audit requests, official decisions, court documents, and mandatory reporting invitations from Estonian authorities.
Does the legal address determine tax residency in Estonia?
Not automatically. The legal address alone does not define tax residency, but it may be considered alongside other factors such as management location and business activity when authorities assess tax residency.
Can I change my company’s legal address later?
Yes. A company’s legal address can be changed in the Business Register, but this may require supporting documentation and a state fee. The new address must meet Estonian legal requirements.
Can I use only a contact person without a virtual office?
Yes. If your legal address is outside Estonia but the law requires a local contact person, you can appoint a contact person without purchasing a virtual office address.
How does Unicount help with legal address and contact person requirements?
Unicount provides Virtual Office services, Contact Person services, or a combined solution depending on the company’s setup. All options are structured to meet Estonian compliance requirements and ensure official documents are properly received.
