EMTAK code: Choose the Right Activity for Your Company
An EMTAK code identifies your company’s economic activity. To choose the right one, we should match its official description to what the business will actually sell. At registration, we select the activity expected to generate the most sales revenue in the first financial year. This does not prevent the company from working in other fields.
What is an EMTAK code?
EMTAK means the Estonian Classification of Economic Activities. It groups businesses by activity and supports comparable economic statistics. It is Estonia’s national version of the European NACE classification.
The current version is EMTAK 2025, effective since 1 January 2025. For the most precise match, we should check the five-digit code, which identifies the detailed national-level activity. Older codes should be checked against the current classification rather than copied automatically.
How to find the right EMTAK code
Start with the official EMTAK search. It is available in English and Estonian, without logging in. We can search by a relevant word or an existing code.
- Describe what customers pay for. Search for the actual product or service, rather than relying only on a broad business label.
- Read the inclusions and exclusions. Open the activity description and check what belongs in that category. Compare similar activities before choosing.
- Select the planned main activity. When several activities fit, choose the one expected to generate the most sales revenue.
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RIK’s search tool can compare up to three activities side by side. This is useful when similar titles make the choice unclear. We should compare the full descriptions, not choose a category simply because another company with a similar name uses it.
For example, under EMTAK 2025, an online shop’s retail classification depends on the products sold, not simply on selling through the internet. “E-commerce” alone is therefore not enough to identify the correct activity.
For an older code, use the portal’s correspondence tables to compare EMTAK 2008 with EMTAK 2025. If the category remains unclear, RIK accepts questions through the search portal’s support form. Describe the planned activity as precisely as possible.
Why check legal requirements before registration?
The planned main activity must be declared during registration. Checking it beforehand also helps us investigate whether the intended business has special operating requirements.
The key distinction is that an EMTAK code is not an operating license. Some activities require a separate license or an economic-activity notification. Selecting a code does not replace either requirement, including when the regulated activity is not the company’s main activity.
We should review the special-requirements information in the search tool and confirm the applicable rules with the responsible authority before launching the activity. RIK’s search guidance explains where this information appears. Checking early helps us plan the necessary applications before committing to a launch date.
Who uses your company’s activity information?
RIK, the Centre of Registers and Information Systems, maintains the classification. Statistics Estonia uses activity information to produce sector statistics and support international comparisons. Its official explanation of EMTAK describes these purposes.
The Estonian Tax and Customs Board also includes principal activity among the public company information available through its ratings service. Potential business partners can review company records in the e-Business Register. Accurate activity information helps readers understand what the business does.
Where to check and update your EMTAK code
After formation, search for your company by name or registry code in the e-Business Register. Public company information can be viewed free of charge without logging in.
Return to the EMTAK search to check the current activity description. The portal currently notes that explanations and exclusions have been updated, while the version, codes and names remain unchanged. This makes the live search more useful than relying solely on a saved list.
For an OÜ, or private limited company, the registered main activity changes through the annual report. The activity generating the highest sales revenue becomes the main activity, based on the revenue breakdown submitted with that report. A separate register amendment application cannot change it.
Before submitting the report, we should check that its activity information reflects the actual business. If an incorrect activity was reported, RIK’s guidance says the annual report must be submitted again.
Help with your company registration
At Silva Hunt, we can help you choose a suitable EMTAK code by reviewing your planned business activities. Our company formation and legal support can also help clarify which requirements need attention before you start. Contact us to discuss your plans and find a company registration solution that fits your business.
Written by Dariia Khimichenko, Marketing Manager at Silva Hunt.
