What is Estonian e‑Residency?
and How Silva Hunt Helps You Start Smart!
Apply for Estonia’s e‑Residency to launch your EU business remotely. With Silva Hunt, you get expert help for every step — from application to company setup, tax compliance, and banking.
ACCESS
Access EU market without living in Estonia
DIGITAL
Digitally sign, run business, and report taxes
GLOBAL
Use global banking and payment systems
What is e‑Residency?
& Why Entrepreneurs Choose e‑Residency?
Estonian e‑Residency is a government-backed digital identity that allows non-residents to open and operate an EU company entirely online. Launched in 2014, Estonia was the first country in the world to offer such a program — and it has since attracted over 120,000 e‑Residents from more than 170 countries.
By becoming an e‑Resident, you gain secure access to Estonia’s digital business environment. This means you can establish a legally recognized EU company remotely, sign documents and contracts with digital signatures, file taxes and access government services online, manage your business 100% remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Estonian e‑Residency is especially attractive for digital entrepreneurs, consultants, eCommerce founders, startup teams, and global investors who want a borderless way to operate a compliant business in Europe.
Unlike a visa or residence permit, e‑Residency does not grant you the right to live or work in Estonia. It also doesn’t make you a tax resident. Instead, it’s a gateway to secure, low-bureaucracy entrepreneurship in one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world.
In fact, 1 in 3 Estonian startups has at least one e‑Resident founder. It’s not just an option — it’s a proven path for scaling smart, fast, and globally.
Here’s what makes Estonia uniquely founder-friendly:
🇪🇪 Digital government
Open your company, file reports, and handle compliance fully online — no in-person visits.
🏆 Top-ranked tax system
Estonia has no corporate income tax on retained profits and a transparent flat tax model.
💡 Startup ecosystem
Estonia has the most unicorns per capita in Europe, including Skype, Wise, and Bolt.
📈 Investor trust
Estonia is part of the Eurozone, NATO, EU, and OECD, offering financial and legal stability.
Why Estonia?
Estonia isn’t just the birthplace of e‑Residency. It’s a country that reimagined how a government can serve entrepreneurs. It’s known as the most advanced digital nation in the world.
🎯 Supportive for remote teams
From one-person ventures to complex SPVs, the legal framework supports scale.
Step-by-Step e-Residency:
How to Apply for e‑Residency
What Happens After You Receive the e‑Residency Card?
Once you’ve received your e‑Residency card, the real journey begins — and this is where Silva Hunt makes all the difference.
We handle the entire company setup process for you. No templates, no trial-and-error. Just a compliant, ready-to-run Estonian company that fits your goals.
Book Free ConsultationHere’s how Silva Hunt supports your entrepreneurial journey:
Company incorporation
We’ll register your Estonian company within 1 to 3 business days, including VAT registration and shareholder agreements if needed.
Fintech onboarding
We guide you through setting up business accounts with Wise, LHV, Payoneer, or Deel — no more getting stuck on KYC or compliance.
Custom structure design
Want a personal holding company? Need an SPV for fundraising or investing? We help you structure it properly from day one.
Ongoing support
Monthly accounting, tax filing, payroll, annual reports — all handled by your Silva Hunt team.
Legal and tax consultation
Included in our Pro package, or available on demand for advanced cases (e.g. crypto, cross-border).
Common Mistakes First-Time e‑Residents Make
While Estonia’s e‑Residency program is one of the most efficient ways to launch a global business, many founders still fall into avoidable traps — especially when trying to do it alone.
Here are the most common mistakes we see:
1. Assuming e‑Residency = tax residency
e‑Residency does not change your personal tax residency. Your global income still needs to be declared according to the rules in your country of residence. Silva Hunt helps clarify what’s taxable where.
2. DIY company setup without guidance
Many founders rush into incorporating without understanding share structures, VAT thresholds, or fintech onboarding steps — which can lead to legal or banking issues later. We help you get it right from the start.
3. Overlooking salary vs. dividends
Taking money out of your company requires planning. Should you pay yourself a salary? Distribute dividends? What’s tax-efficient? We provide tailored advice based on your goals and jurisdiction.
4. Picking the wrong service provider
Not all providers support holding companies, SPVs, or complex shareholding setups. Silva Hunt specializes in these structures — with legal and tax expertise built in.
Avoiding these mistakes can save you time, money, and regulatory headaches.
Book Free ConsultationWhy work with Silva Hunt?
What you actually get with us
You’re not starting a business to spend hours on bureaucracy, guesswork, or Google rabbit holes. You’re building something that needs to work — legally, financially, and internationally.
That’s where we come in.
Silva Hunt isn’t a platform. We’re your Estonian legal backbone, tax strategist, compliance guardian, and trusted partner in the EU business ecosystem. We’ve supported founders from 25+ countries — from first-time operators to seasoned investors managing millions.
Typical business models suitable for e-Residency
Online business / eCommerce
Use case: Platform-based product sales
Clients: International businesses or self-employed individuals
UBO: Founder residing outside Estonia, 100% owner of an Estonian OÜ
● Office, servers, and team are based in Estonia
● Key management decisions are made from Estonia
● One Stop Shop (OSS) VAT scheme is used for cross-border EU sales
Personal Holding
Use case: Founders or investors planning for an exit
Clients: International private individuals
UBO: Natural person, 100% owner of an Estonian holding OÜ
● Management of equity holdings through Estonia
● The holding owns shares in a local company in your home country or other limited operating company abroad or in Estonia
● Owns shares in other private companies abroad and / or in Estonia
● Tax-deferred reinvestment of profits
International Group Holding
Use case: Multi-entity corporate groups with central oversight
Clients: Companies with subsidiaries in several countries
UBO: EU or international entrepreneur, 100% owner of an Estonian OÜ
● Office, infrastructure, and employees are based in Estonia
● Strategic decisions are made from Estonia
● OSS scheme used for VAT reporting in the EU
Digital Nomads and Freelancers
Use case: Freelancers or service providers without a fixed location
Clients: Globally active professionals
UBO: Digital nomad, 100% owner of an Estonian OÜ
● Remote work enabled by modern tech
● No fixed office or place of work
SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle)
Use case: Project-based investing or holding specific assets
Clients: International investors
UBO: Private individual, 100% owner of an Estonian SPV
● The SPV owns shares in a limited liability company abroad or in Estonia
● Investment decisions are made from Estonia
Crypto Investors
Use case: Participation in crypto-assets through a legal entity
Clients: International crypto investors
UBO: Private individual, 100% owner of an Estonian company
● Investment decisions are made from Estonia
● Legal entity holds and manages crypto-assets compliantly
You Deserve a Structure That Matches Your Ambition
You’ve outgrown plug-and-play providers. You’re building something that needs clarity, not just compliance. Silva Hunt was built for founders like you — the ones designing companies that operate across time zones, tax zones, and strategic stages.
We’re not here to sell you a company. We’re here to help you build a business that lasts.
Fantastic service and support. I have a fairly complex setup and needs and Silva Hunt has been outstanding in adapting to my needs and supporting my journey. From admin, legal and accounting, everything is well taken care of. Would recommend to anyone who wants a more personalized service (vs. pure digital, no flex services) considering the minimal price difference.
Trusted by Estonian Government and e-Residency Community:
Frequently Asked Questions
About Estonian e‑Residency
Does e‑Residency make me a tax resident of Estonia?
No. e‑Residency is a digital identity, not a form of tax residency. Your personal tax residency remains tied to where you live. However, your Estonian company will generally be tax resident in Estonia.
Can I open a company without ever visiting Estonia?
Yes. With your e‑Residency card, you can establish and manage your Estonian company 100% remotely. All legal steps, banking, and tax reporting can be done online. So technically, you don’t need it.
How much does it cost to apply for e‑Residency?
The Estonian government charges a €150 state fee for the application. Additional costs may include pickup logistics and your chosen service provider’s company formation package.
What’s the corporate tax rate in Estonia?
Estonia has 0% corporate income tax on retained earnings. You only pay tax when profits are distributed as dividends. This supports long-term reinvestment and growth.
Can Silva Hunt help with dividend taxation or personal holdings?
Absolutely. We regularly advise founders on how to set up personal holding companies, optimize dividend flow, and avoid double taxation. Ask for our Dividend Guide for detailed scenarios.
Can I pay myself a salary as a founder?
Yes. You can hire yourself and pay a salary from your Estonian OÜ. We help you calculate and report salaries, taxes, and social contributions — and assess if salary, dividends, or a mix is best.
Do I need an accountant in Estonia?
Yes. We specialize in structures that need more individualized support, like crypto-licenses, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and holding companies. If your use case is advanced, we’ll guide you through the best legal and tax setup and help you attain the needed licenses.
What happens if I have co-founders or shareholders in other countries?
We support multi-shareholder structures, and everything can be managed digitally. You don’t need to physically meet or sign papers in person. We’ll help structure ownership, voting rights, and reporting across borders.
Can Silva Hunt help me obtain special business licenses in Estonia?
Yes. If your business operates in a regulated industry — such as fintech, financial services, crypto, food import/export, or recruitment — we assist with identifying the correct license and managing the application process.
Does Silva Hunt support crypto-related businesses?
Yes. We work with founders and investors in the crypto space and help structure compliant Estonian entities for holding, investing, or operating crypto-related activities. While Estonia has tightened licensing for crypto service providers, we assist with legal structuring, tax guidance, and banking access for crypto-friendly setups.
Member of the e-Residency marketplace
For your e-Residency company
VISION: Silva Hunt is the place to be for community of borderless-minded entrepreneurs and investors.
MISSION: Our mission is to unite and empower a global community, fostering knowledge-sharing and unlocking international opportunities for their journey to prosperity.
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