Articles

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

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.