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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

How can Hungarian UX/UI designers open a company online?

Estonia e-Residency guide for creative freelancers (2025)

Hungary’s creative tech scene is thriving. From Budapest to Debrecen, UX/UI designers are working remotely with startups, agencies, and SaaS platforms across Europe and North America. Yet many Hungarian freelancers face challenges when it comes to scaling their business, managing international payments, and navigating local tax rules.

How Turkish product managers can open a company online?

Turkish product managers are rapidly gaining traction in international markets. Whether working remotely for SaaS startups, coordinating agile teams, or launching digital platforms, they often navigate a web of client contracts, currency transfers, and tax reporting. The challenge: managing a global freelance or consulting career through Turkey’s local systems isn’t always efficient.

Estonia’s e-Residency program offers a way out of this operational bottleneck. With e-Residency, Turkish professionals can open and run a fully compliant EU-based company online without moving abroad or dealing with Turkish trade bureaucracy. It’s fast, legal, and surprisingly affordable.

How Ukrainian software developers can open a company online?

Ukraine has long been recognized as a powerhouse in software development. With tens of thousands of skilled engineers, consultants, and IT entrepreneurs, the country has built a global reputation for digital excellence. But for many Ukrainian developers, managing international contracts, cross-border payments, and tax compliance remains a challenge—especially in times of uncertainty.

Estonia’s e-Residency program offers a modern solution. It allows Ukrainian developers to establish and manage an EU-based company entirely online, with full legal recognition across Europe. In just hours, you can launch a remote-ready business that simplifies invoicing, reduces tax friction, and opens doors to global clients.

How Spanish digital marketers & content creators can open a company online?

Spain’s digital freelance sector is thriving. From SEO consultants and content writers to YouTube creators and social media managers, more than 1.3 million autónomos are building independent careers across the country. Yet the administrative and financial strain of operating as an autónomo continues to be one of the biggest barriers to sustainable growth.

Recurring social security quotas, mandatory quarterly tax filings, and limited deductibility on expenses create significant friction. That’s why thousands of Spanish professionals are now turning to Estonia’s e-Residency program, a modern and fully digital way to open an EU company online in minutes.

How German freelancers can open an company online?

Germany has one of Europe’s most established freelance economies, with hundreds of thousands of professionals in IT, consulting, marketing, and creative industries. However, running a freelance business in Germany comes with some serious challenges, from Gewerbeanmeldung bureaucracy to high social security contributions.

Fortunately, Estonia’s e-Residency program offers an alternative, allowing German freelancers to establish a company online in just 24 hours without German trade tax (Gewerbesteuer), complex VAT rules, or slow bureaucracy.

How French digital marketers can start a company online

France is home to talented digital marketers, content creators, and SEO specialists who work with clients across Europe and beyond. But managing a business in France comes with administrative complexity, high social charges, and rigid tax structures.

Luckily, digital professionals now have a smarter alternative. By setting up an EU company online, like in Estonia, French marketers can enjoy a streamlined, remote-friendly business setup with lower overheads and global flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll explain how French digital marketers can start a company online, the benefits of a European business structure, and how Unicount makes it effortless.