What’s Included in the e-Residency Kit?

When your application is approved and you collect your e-Residency pack, you’ll receive three important items:

1. The e-Residency card:

This is your official digital ID. It contains a secure chip and your personal identification number (an 11-digit code printed on the card).

2. A USB card reader:

A small black device that connects to your computer via USB. Insert your e-Residency card into the reader to log in or sign documents.

3. An envelope with PINs and a PUK code:

• • PIN 1: Used to log in to government portals and verify your identity.
  • PIN 2: Used to digitally sign official documents.
  • PUK: Used to unblock the card if you enter a wrong PIN too many times.

Keep these codes in a safe place. You’ll need them regularly to access Estonian digital services and Companio.

How to Set Up Your Card and Reader

Once you have received the e-resident pack with your card, you can now set it up to start using it! Before installing the card with the reader, you will need to install the software. The official e-Residency page explains the process in English. The steps are the following:

• First, you must enter this link, where you will find the programs you need to install.

• The page will offer you two installation packages depending on your computer's operating system. You must install both installation packages.

• First, install "Web browser components for authentication and digital signing." This contains the computer's drivers to read the card from the USB.

• You have to click first on the first button above that says "Download" (the top of the two). If you have a Mac, it will download a .dmg package. Double-click to open it. You will see the typical installation program. Double-click again to install it and follow the instructions.

• Finally, you will have to click on the second "Download" button (the one below), allowing you to install the DigiDoc4 Client program. If you have a Mac, the App Store will be opened.

• If everything went well, the plugins for your browser (Chrome, Safari or Firefox) will also have been installed.

• Finally, you need to enable plugins for your browser, which will allow you to sign documents with your digital card. On that page, a little further down, there are three icons of the three main browsers. Please choose any of them and follow the instructions that will appear.

Let's see if it works!

Let's see if your card works correctly. To do this, you have to go to the official page of the Estonian online portal, where you will find something like this:

• Click on the blue "Login" button at the top right. If it appears in a strange language, don't worry, it's Estonian, and you can select English at the top right. It will take you to the following screen:

• Click on the button on the left that says "ID-card" and click on the "Continue" button. A dialog will appear if the card is well read, asking you to select the certificate and enter your PIN1 number.

• If everything goes well, you will access the e-Residency portal, and your name will appear above. Congratulations! You have correctly configured everything.

Sometimes, the card can cause problems because you have not inserted it correctly, the reader does not have the light on, etc. It is often enough to move the card a little and ensure that you insert it correctly and perpendicularly.

If you have any problems at any point in the process, don't worry. Contact our Customer Support team via chat.

I Haven’t Received My Card Yet. What Can I Do?

If you haven’t received your card yet, don’t worry — you can still begin the registration process with Companio. However, you’ll only be able to sign documents and finalize your company registration once you have your card and PINs.

You can check the status of your e-Residency application on the official Police and Border Guard Board website using your reference number.

Once your card arrives at your selected pickup point, you’ll receive an email with collection instructions. Make sure to collect it in person and bring the required identification documents specified in the notification.

My e-Residency Card Isn’t Working. What Should I Do?

If your e-Residency card or reader doesn’t work correctly, follow these steps in order:

• Try to move the card, make sure it is well placed (with the chip facing up), and that the chip reader is directly on it. Check that the light is on, and try again.
• Remove the card from the reader and reinsert it.
• Restart the browser and try again.
• Try another browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera …).
• Restart the computer.

If nothing works, you should get in touch with the e-Residency technical support here.

Updated on: 29/10/2025