Virtual Office FAQ

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Apostilled Documents (1)

To be valid in Estonia and recognised abroad, it must meet three basic requirements:

  1. Notarial form – The PoA must be signed before a notary (in Estonia or abroad).
  2. Proper authentication
    • If the PoA is signed in a country that is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, the notary’s signature must be apostilled.
    • If the country is not a member of the Convention, the document must be legalised through that country’s foreign ministry and the Estonian embassy or consulate.
  3. Language – The notary act should be in Estonian or accompanied by a sworn translation into Estonian or English.
  1. Draft – We supply a template that details the exact powers you wish to grant.
  2. Notarisation – You sign before a notary; the notary verifies your identity and capacity.
  3. Apostille/legalisation – applied as required by the country of signature.
  4. Translation (if needed) – Performed by a sworn translator.
  5. Delivery – Send the original or a certified copy to us; courier fees depend on the service selected.

Country-specific nuances

Most jurisdictions follow the Hague Apostille rules, but some (e.g., Canada, UAE) still require full consular legalisation.

With a properly notarised and authenticated PoA in place, we can conduct the authorised transactions smoothly and in full compliance with international and Estonian law.

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Company liquitation (1)

Digital notarial services in Estonia and selected embassies.

In Estonia, a public notary acts as an official intermediary between private individuals or companies and the Commercial Register, helping to certify applications, transactions, and legal documents. Thanks to Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure, many notarial services can now be completed remotely using the e-Notary system.

You can access the platform at: https://iseteenindus.notar.ee


What can you do through the e-Notary?

  • Initiate and complete share transfers

  • Certify documents, signatures, and copies

  • Authenticate power of attorney documents

  • Request apostilles

  • Book notary appointments and review draft contracts

  • Access invoices and your full notarial history

e-Notary is available throughout Estonia and in selected Estonian embassies abroad, including:

  • Helsinki

  • Stockholm

  • Brussels

  • London

  • Riga

If you prefer, you can visit an Estonian embassy in one of these cities instead of travelling to Estonia for share transactions or other notarised acts. This is especially convenient for e-residents.


Choosing a notary

You can log in to notar.ee with your digital ID to choose a notary and schedule an appointment. Notary fees are state-regulated, and the quality of service is consistent. You may want to choose one who is able to conduct the procedure in English and supports the e-notary scheme.


Additional rights and services

Estonian law (§ 30 and § 33 of the Notaries Act) gives you the right to request that a notary submit documents to the Business Register on your behalf. If the notary certifies the content of the application, their fee also covers:

  • Legal consultation

  • Preparation of the draft application

  • Guidance on applicable state fees

A notary can also help submit address changes to the Population Register and file certain activity licence applications, as listed in Annex 1 of the Notarial Regulations.

 
 

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General (10)

No – e-Residency is not a residence permit.

Estonia’s e-Residency is not a residence permit and does not provide a physical address.
Being an e-resident does not give you the right to live in Estonia or elsewhere in the EU, and it does not grant a visa, immigration status, or physical residency.

E-Residency is a digital identity designed for remote business management.

What qualifies as permanent residence in Estonia?

To be considered a permanent resident, you generally must live in Estonia for at least 186 days per calendar year, for personal or professional reasons, and prove strong ties to Estonia with documentation.

Common supporting documents include:

  • Lease agreement of at least 6 months (usually plus additional evidence)

  • Employment or service contract lasting 6+ months

  • Proof of property ownership in Estonia

  • Utility bills or fuel invoices in your name

  • School/kindergarten documents (if you have children)

  • Annual report (if you are on the board of an Estonian company)

  • Transport tickets showing extended stays

  • Letters of explanation from people you live with

📌 In some cases, an employment contract, study certificate, or proof of military service may be sufficient on its own.

Why residence registration matters

If you plan to live and work in Estonia, registering your local address in the Population Register is essential.

Without registered residence, you may not have access to:

  • Public healthcare

  • Social support and benefits

  • Many state and municipal public services

What you need to register your residence

Typically required:

  • Notice of Residence (elukoha teade)

  • Your ID (or copy, if by post)

  • Proof of residence (tenancy agreement or ownership document)

  • If multiple owners: consent from all owners

✅ If you have an Estonian ID card, you can register online via the eesti.ee portal.

📌 VOE practical note:
While e-Residency does not include a physical address, creating an Estonian company and using a legal address + contact person service (e.g., Package ONE) can be a practical and compliant way to build a structured business presence in Estonia.

Category: General
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Understanding control under Estonia’s AML Act.

According to § 9 of Estonia’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act, a beneficial owner (UBO) is the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity—either directly or indirectly.

  • Direct control: A natural person directly owns more than 25% of the company’s shares or voting rights.
  • Indirect control: A natural person controls another company (or companies) that, in turn, owns more than 25% of the legal entity.
  • Control can also be exercised through other means, such as shareholder agreements or the right to appoint management.

It is also possible for a company not to have a reportable beneficial owner. For instance, in a private limited company where four shareholders each hold exactly 25%, none of them meets the threshold for control, and under Estonian law, no UBO is declared.


Lead-in:
Estonian law defines a beneficial owner as the real person who ultimately controls a company—usually through shareholding of more than 25%, either directly or indirectly.

Category: General
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Digital notarial services in Estonia and selected embassies.

In Estonia, a public notary acts as an official intermediary between private individuals or companies and the Commercial Register, helping to certify applications, transactions, and legal documents. Thanks to Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure, many notarial services can now be completed remotely using the e-Notary system.

You can access the platform at: https://iseteenindus.notar.ee


What can you do through the e-Notary?

  • Initiate and complete share transfers

  • Certify documents, signatures, and copies

  • Authenticate power of attorney documents

  • Request apostilles

  • Book notary appointments and review draft contracts

  • Access invoices and your full notarial history

e-Notary is available throughout Estonia and in selected Estonian embassies abroad, including:

  • Helsinki

  • Stockholm

  • Brussels

  • London

  • Riga

If you prefer, you can visit an Estonian embassy in one of these cities instead of travelling to Estonia for share transactions or other notarised acts. This is especially convenient for e-residents.


Choosing a notary

You can log in to notar.ee with your digital ID to choose a notary and schedule an appointment. Notary fees are state-regulated, and the quality of service is consistent. You may want to choose one who is able to conduct the procedure in English and supports the e-notary scheme.


Additional rights and services

Estonian law (§ 30 and § 33 of the Notaries Act) gives you the right to request that a notary submit documents to the Business Register on your behalf. If the notary certifies the content of the application, their fee also covers:

  • Legal consultation

  • Preparation of the draft application

  • Guidance on applicable state fees

A notary can also help submit address changes to the Population Register and file certain activity licence applications, as listed in Annex 1 of the Notarial Regulations.

 
 

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Secure tools for digital identification, signatures, and access to e-services.

Estonia’s digital society is built on secure, convenient, and legally binding e-identity tools: the ID-card, Digi-ID, ja Mobile-ID. These allow you to log into e-services, sign documents digitally, and manage your business or personal affairs fully online.


ID-card & Digi-ID

The ID-card and Digi-ID are physical smart cards used to:

  • Access Estonian e-services (e.g. Business Register, Tax Board, banks)

  • Digitally sign documents with legal validity

  • Authenticate identity securely online

  • Encrypt files and communications

To use them, you’ll need:

  • A card reader

  • ID-card software, downloadable at installer.id.ee

  • PIN codes, issued with the card (replacements available at Estonian service points or embassies)

  • Valid certificates, which you can check and renew at id.ee

  • A computer with internet access


Mobile-ID – Digital ID on Your Phone

Mobile-ID offers the same functionality as the ID-card, but without the need for a card reader. Instead, it works directly from your mobile phone.

How it works:

  • Requires a special Mobile-ID SIM card, issued by Estonian mobile operators

  • Stores private keys and signature functionality directly on the SIM

  • Actions are confirmed using PIN1 (authentication) and PIN2 (signing)

  • Perfect for users who prefer secure identification on the go


e-Residency Digital ID

If you are an Estonian e-resident, your e-Residency card allows you to access all of the above features (except Mobile-ID). You can:

  • Manage your company

  • Sign documents digitally

  • Use secure government and private e-services
    Note: E-Residency does not grant legal residence, tax residence, or the right to enter Estonia or the EU.


Need help?

Most answers to common technical and practical issues can be found on the official website:
🔗 www.id.ee

There you’ll find:

  • Detailed FAQs

  • Step-by-step video tutorials

  • Instructions for software, certificate renewal, and common problems

If you can’t find a solution, please reach out to the ID Help Centre. The more clearly you describe your issue, the better the support team can assist. All answers are sent to you in writing with easy-to-follow instructions tailored to your situation.


Lead-in:
Whether you use an ID-card, Digi-ID or Mobile-ID, Estonia’s digital tools let you handle secure transactions and official matters easily from anywhere in the world—with expert help just a click away.

Category: General
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Estonia does not issue a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN). Instead:

  • For companies, the 8-digit registration code serves as the tax ID.
  • For individuals, the 11-digit personal identity code (isikukood) is used.

These identifiers are sufficient for all official, tax-related, and administrative purposes within Estonia.

Category: General
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To be valid in Estonia and recognised abroad, it must meet three basic requirements:

  1. Notarial form – The PoA must be signed before a notary (in Estonia or abroad).
  2. Proper authentication
    • If the PoA is signed in a country that is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, the notary’s signature must be apostilled.
    • If the country is not a member of the Convention, the document must be legalised through that country’s foreign ministry and the Estonian embassy or consulate.
  3. Language – The notary act should be in Estonian or accompanied by a sworn translation into Estonian or English.
  1. Draft – We supply a template that details the exact powers you wish to grant.
  2. Notarisation – You sign before a notary; the notary verifies your identity and capacity.
  3. Apostille/legalisation – applied as required by the country of signature.
  4. Translation (if needed) – Performed by a sworn translator.
  5. Delivery – Send the original or a certified copy to us; courier fees depend on the service selected.

Country-specific nuances

Most jurisdictions follow the Hague Apostille rules, but some (e.g., Canada, UAE) still require full consular legalisation.

With a properly notarised and authenticated PoA in place, we can conduct the authorised transactions smoothly and in full compliance with international and Estonian law.

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Customers can log into the client area and pay to renew their subscriptions.

All offered payment gateway extensions can be used to process manual renewal payments. Customers can choose a different payment method for each renewal payment. It’s better to set up automatic payments.

If there is a problem with logging in to the customer area, let us know and the payment link will be sent.

After we receive the payment we will manually extend your subscription.

Category: General
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To register your residence in Estonia, you must submit a Notice of Residence (elukoha teade) to your local municipality.

This ensures your address is correctly recorded in the Estonian Population Register, as required by law.

Ways to submit the Notice of Residence

You can register your residence using any of the following methods:

  • Online via the e-Population Register
    Requires an Estonian ID-card, Mobile-ID, or e-Residency. You can also track the status online.

  • By email to the local municipality/district government
    The form must be digitally signed.

  • By post
    Send the signed notice plus a copy of your ID (showing personal data).

  • In person
    Visit your local municipality office and submit the form there.

✅ The Notice of Residence form (printable and digital) is available on the Ministry of the Interior’s website.

Multiple residences

If you have more than one permanent address:

  • One address must be registered as your main residence (the legally effective one)

  • Other addresses may be submitted as additional residences

  • The main residence must always be correct and up to date

Legal obligation to update your residence

You must update your residence registration whenever you:

  • Move within Estonia

  • Move abroad

  • Return to Estonia from abroad

Category: General
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You can easily upgrade or switch between Package ONE, TWO, and THREE at any time to meet your business needs. This can be done directly in our Customer Area (self-service portal), without extra paperwork.

Upgrading is a convenient way to add services as your company grows—for example, moving from a registered address-only (Package ONE) to a full compliance bundle that includes an authorised contact person (Package TWO) or additional business support services (Package THREE).

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Of course.

Please let us know via email at least 7 days before the subscription extension date, and include an unpaid invoice.

You can also log in to our Kliendikeskkond and cancel your subscription yourself.

Note that the waiver does not have a retroactive effect; i.e., the period for which it has already been paid remains valid until the end of that period.

Also, it is important to note that the order ends permanently when the address and/or contact person are deleted from the Estonian Business Registry. Without it, the standing order is not completed.

Category: General
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Package ONE (1)

You can easily upgrade or switch between Package ONE, TWO, and THREE at any time to meet your business needs. This can be done directly in our Customer Area (self-service portal), without extra paperwork.

Upgrading is a convenient way to add services as your company grows—for example, moving from a registered address-only (Package ONE) to a full compliance bundle that includes an authorised contact person (Package TWO) or additional business support services (Package THREE).

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Package THREE (1)

You can easily upgrade or switch between Package ONE, TWO, and THREE at any time to meet your business needs. This can be done directly in our Customer Area (self-service portal), without extra paperwork.

Upgrading is a convenient way to add services as your company grows—for example, moving from a registered address-only (Package ONE) to a full compliance bundle that includes an authorised contact person (Package TWO) or additional business support services (Package THREE).

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Package TWO (1)

You can easily upgrade or switch between Package ONE, TWO, and THREE at any time to meet your business needs. This can be done directly in our Customer Area (self-service portal), without extra paperwork.

Upgrading is a convenient way to add services as your company grows—for example, moving from a registered address-only (Package ONE) to a full compliance bundle that includes an authorised contact person (Package TWO) or additional business support services (Package THREE).

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Power of Attorney (1)

To be valid in Estonia and recognised abroad, it must meet three basic requirements:

  1. Notarial form – The PoA must be signed before a notary (in Estonia or abroad).
  2. Proper authentication
    • If the PoA is signed in a country that is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, the notary’s signature must be apostilled.
    • If the country is not a member of the Convention, the document must be legalised through that country’s foreign ministry and the Estonian embassy or consulate.
  3. Language – The notary act should be in Estonian or accompanied by a sworn translation into Estonian or English.
  1. Draft – We supply a template that details the exact powers you wish to grant.
  2. Notarisation – You sign before a notary; the notary verifies your identity and capacity.
  3. Apostille/legalisation – applied as required by the country of signature.
  4. Translation (if needed) – Performed by a sworn translator.
  5. Delivery – Send the original or a certified copy to us; courier fees depend on the service selected.

Country-specific nuances

Most jurisdictions follow the Hague Apostille rules, but some (e.g., Canada, UAE) still require full consular legalisation.

With a properly notarised and authenticated PoA in place, we can conduct the authorised transactions smoothly and in full compliance with international and Estonian law.

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