Why Estonia—and why Zitadelle AG?

Estonia stands at the forefront of ease of doing business in the EU, thanks to its digital-first ecosystem. Its e‑Residency program enables anyone worldwide to found and manage an Osaühing (OÜ) -a private limited company- entirely online, without ever visiting Estonia

Over 35,100 companies were created via e‑Residency by Q2 2025, underlining the trust and traction of this system. Estonia’s tax regime taxes only distributed profits (0 % on retained earnings), making reinvestment into growth tax-efficient.

OÜ: The Right Choice for Entrepreneurs

The private limited company (OÜ) is ideal for small businesses and startups. Key benefits:

• Minimal share capital: Technically as low as €0.01, though €0.10 is commonly used

• Share capital can be monetary or non‑monetary (including IP, devices, services with monetary value).

• Founders’ liability is limited to capital paid.

Document Checklist & Process

We handle everything—from drafting documents and notarizing the Power of Attorney (POA), to filing with the Estonian Commercial Register. We need:

• Business activity description

• Company contact email and telephone

• Shareholders and board members: names, birthdates, addresses, emails, passport scans

• If shareholder is a company: notarial registry card, Articles of Association, proof of representation (apostilled/legalized, within 3 months)

• Proposed share capital & division

• Apostilled/translated POA, passport copy, and beneficial ownership declaration

Once POA is legalized and all documents confirmed, we digitally sign and file the application. Company registration is typically completed in ~3 working days after final signature, assuming timely document flow.

Registered Address & VAT

Every OÜ must have a registered legal address in Estonia. Zitadelle AG includes the first year in our establishment package. We have multiple address options available.

VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover for the calendar year exceeds €40,000, but can be done voluntarily beforehand

No Physical Presence Needed

You don’t need a local office or staff.

Opening an Estonian bank account as a foreigner is difficult under AML regulations—but you can instead register with EU-based payment or e‑money institutions approved in Estonia;

E‑Residency: Optional, but Helpful

Applying for e‑Residency simplifies document signing, company management, and tax declarations—all remotely. It gives you:

• Digitally binding signatures across EU via eIDAS

• Access to Estonian government services and tax portal remotely

• A smoothly managed EU‑based company without travel

Note: e‑Residency does not grant tax residency, EU residence, or citizenship.

Why Zitadelle AG Makes It Easy

Here’s why our service stands out:

1. Full-service remote setup – you don’t need to visit Estonia.

2. Power of Attorney handled via notary by us.

3. Fast turnaround: about 3 business days to register once documents are ready.

4. First-year legal address included

5. Expert guidance on VAT, share capital structuring, and bank/payment solutions.

6. Transparent pricing, responsive support, and post-registration help with accounting, compliance, and tax advice.

Quick Overview Table

Why Estonia in 2025?

Estonia ranks among the top global locations for its digital government, economic freedom, and tax clarity. Its e‑Residency model has attracted tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, helping them launch and manage EU‑based companies remotely with full legal compliance