Estonia’s digital infrastructure and e-Residency program have created an appealing ecosystem for global entrepreneurs who want to operate borderless businesses. For e-residents interested in investing through an Estonian limited company, selecting the right trading platform is the first step to accessing global equity markets, enjoying low fees, and ensuring no tax on capital gains for Estonian tax resident companies. Here’s a detailed guide to some of the best investment platforms available for Estonian e-resident companies, with options suited to different investment needs and goals.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Interactive Brokers is a well-established choice for professional and business investors, offering a wide range of trading capabilities and low-cost access to global markets. Known for its robust platform, IBKR provides access to over 150 markets across more than 30 countries, making it an ideal option for e-residents who want to diversify investments internationally.
One of IBKR’s standout features is its multi-currency support, which enables trading in 28 currencies—particularly valuable for e-residents managing investments across multiple regions. The platform’s transparent fee structure (no custodial, technology, or platform fees) and competitive margin rates make it cost-effective for high-volume or professional traders. Additionally, IBKR’s comprehensive account management tools allow business owners to set permissions, making it suitable for team-managed trading accounts. With a focus on advanced analytics, IBKR supports informed investment decisions and simplifies compliance for businesses dealing with complex portfolios.
Lightyear
Lightyear, founded by a former Wise employee, is designed to offer a transparent and user-friendly trading experience, perfect for e-residents looking to invest in European and US markets at low costs. Lightyear’s flat-rate fees (for example: €1 for EU shares, $1 for US shares) make it a budget-friendly choice, especially for smaller businesses or individual investors looking for straightforward access to stocks without complex pricing structures.
The platform offers free access to ETFs, multi-currency accounts, and interest on uninvested cash, appealing to businesses looking to keep costs minimal. Lightyear also provides a convenient Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) service, which is required for trading publicly listed securities within the app for a fee of €48 + VAT. For e-residents managing smaller-scale portfolios, Lightyear’s low fees and accessible design make it a practical, cost-effective choice, especially if it focuses on European or US stocks rather than a broader range of asset classes.
In a nutshell
For Estonian e-residents investing through their businesses, each platform offers distinct advantages. Interactive Brokers is the top choice for experienced traders and professional investors needing global market access and sophisticated tools. Lightyear provides a cost-effective, straightforward option for those focused on EU and US stocks, especially suitable for smaller-scale investments.
Ultimately, Interactive Brokers is best for e-residents with large international portfolios; Lightyear is ideal for cost-conscious, EU-focused investors and offers an accessible starting point for beginners, with each platform supporting Estonia’s digital and borderless business environment.
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