Since December 1, 2014, foreign nationals have had the opportunity to apply for Estonian e-residency (e-resident). An e-resident receives a digital identity card, the Digi-ID, which allows them to sign documents and use e-services. The card enables logging into, for example, banks, tax accounts, the business registry, and many other e-services.
In Estonia, the majority of contracts are signed digitally. E-residency benefits individuals who already have connections to Estonia but do not reside in the country. Such individuals include foreign nationals conducting business in Estonia. With the card, a private individual can establish a company in Estonia online.
The application can be submitted online at https://eresident.politsei.ee. Online applications must include a scanned copy of the applicant’s passport and a photo. Instructions for filling out the application can be found at https://eresident.politsei.ee/application-guidelines.
The processing time for an application is approximately 30 days. The e-resident card does not affect the holder’s tax residency status. The card cannot be used as a travel document or as an official identification document. It is a tool designed for digital transactions.
The completed card can be picked up either from a PPA customer service point in Estonia or from the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki.