Articles

Annual report planning for Estonian companies in 2026: What e-resident should prepare early

For many founders, the Estonian annual report feels like something that belongs to late spring. The deadline appears distant, and it is easy to assume there is plenty of time to deal with it later. In reality, the quality, speed, and cost of your annual report in 2026 depend far more on what you clarify early in the year than on the official submission date.

Companies that prepare in advance usually submit calmly and on time, without unnecessary follow-ups. Companies that wait often find themselves reacting under pressure, answering repeated questions, or correcting issues that could have been avoided.

How to open an Estonian company without e-Residency in 2026

A professional guide to Estonian company formation for international founders and non-residents using the notary registration process.

Many international founders believe that e-Residency is the only gate to the Estonian business ecosystem. However, for entrepreneurs who require an immediate EU presence, have a time-sensitive investment round, or simply do not yet possess a digital ID card, there is a more direct, professional route: Establishing an Estonian OÜ via a notary.

Is Estonian e-Residency safe in 2025? A practical look at digital security for e-Residents

Security is one of the first concerns founders raise when they consider running a company entirely online. Signing contracts remotely, submitting taxes digitally, and managing a company without ever visiting the country requires trust in the system behind it.

Estonian e-Residency is often described as “secure by design”, but for e-residents, that description only matters if it translates into real protection for their identity, company data, and business operations. This article explains how security in Estonian e-Residency actually works, why it is different from other digital identity systems, and what founders should understand in 2025.

How to prepare your Estonian annual report on time as an e-Resident

Estonian OÜ annual report 2025 for e-Resident

Every Estonian OÜ must submit an annual report once a year. For e-residents, this is one of the most important compliance obligations. Even if your company had no activity, the report still needs to be filed correctly and on time.

The deadline for most founders is 30 June 2026. Many e-residents wait until spring, but December is the period when experienced founders secure their annual report service to avoid queues, prevent mistakes, and keep costs predictable.

This guide explains what the annual report contains, how the legal process works, and why preparing early is especially important for remote founders.

Single vs multi‑shareholder Estonian OÜ: Which is better for e‑Residents in 2025?

Choosing the right shareholder structure is one of the first real strategy decisions when you start an Estonian company as an e‑resident. Should you keep things simple and launch a single‑shareholder OÜ, or bring in co‑founders and register a multi‑shareholder company from day one? This guide explains how both options work in Estonia, what the share capital rules look like in 2025, and how Unicount helps you set everything up correctly.

VAT registration for Estonian e-Resident companies in 2025

Navigating VAT registration is a key step for every Estonian e-resident establishing a company. In 2025, understanding when and how to register, what rules apply, and how Unicount supports you through the process is essential for compliance and tax efficiency.

Who needs VAT registration in Estonia?

When you launch your OÜ (private limited company) in Estonia as an e-resident, VAT liability is not automatic. You must register for VAT only when your taxable turnover in Estonia exceeds €40,000 within a calendar year.

How to open a business bank account for your Estonian company as an e-Resident in 2025

A practical guide for founders using Revolut and Unicount

Opening a business bank account is one of the first important steps after setting up your Estonian company. Every company needs an account to accept payments, pay suppliers, transfer share capital, and manage day-to-day operations.

For e-residents this part may feel unclear at first, because Estonia allows you to register a company online, but banking depends on strict European rules. In 2025 more founders are choosing digital banking solutions instead of traditional Estonian banks. This is the reason Unicount works closely with Revolut to help clients open business accounts quickly and remotely.

This guide explains how banking works for e-residents, what documents you need, and why Revolut is usually the most practical choice.

Estonian e-Residency penalties: What happens if you don’t comply?

Last week, we outlined the key responsibilities of Estonian e-residents in 2025 and how Unicount helps you stay compliant. But what happens if an e-resident, or the director of an Estonian OÜ, misses their legal and business duties?

Estonian e-Residency offers entrepreneurs a chance to run a trusted EU company fully online, but with that freedom comes responsibility. Failing to comply with Estonia’s legal and accounting requirements can lead to serious consequences, from administrative fines to losing your e-Residency digital ID altogether.

Suppose you are an e-resident in Estonia or plan to apply in 2025. In that case, this comprehensive guide from Unicount explains what happens if you do not meet your obligations and how to avoid penalties that could harm your business and digital status.

Key responsibilities of Estonian e-Residents in 2025.

Becoming an Estonian e-resident gives you access to a unique digital identity that unlocks a world of business opportunities across the EU. But with this digital privilege comes a set of responsibilities to ensure the trust and transparency of Estonia’s e-services. In this guide, we explain what every e-resident must know about their legal and practical duties.