Applying for the Estonian e-Residency program is very straightforward and 100% online. To submit your application, you will need a valid identity document, a digital passport-style photo, information about your professional background, a short explanation of why you want to become an e-resident, and a Visa or Mastercard to make the payment.

• Application fee: €150 state fee.
• Review time: approximately 30 days.
• Card delivery: normally an additional 2 to 5 weeks after approval.
• Collection: you must collect your card in person at the pickup location you select during the application.
• Validity: the e-Residency card is valid for 5 years and has no annual maintenance fee.

Important:

• The €150 fee only covers the e-Residency application. If you later want to incorporate an OÜ in Estonia, there is a separate €265 state registration fee.
• Fee update: from 1 January 2027, the state fee for applying for or renewing e-Residency will increase from €150 to €165.

At Companio, we have worked with and supported more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and e-residents throughout this process. If you want to learn more about how e-Residency works, its benefits, and the documentation required, check out our complete guide to Estonian e-Residency. If you want to assess whether Estonia is a good fit for your business, you can also talk to our team.

Below, we explain how to apply for your e-Residency step by step:

1. Collect the documentation required

To become an e-resident, you will need these documents:

• A copy of your ID.
• A passport-size photo in .jpg or .jpeg format.
• CV (or a link to social media like LinkedIn).
• Your Visa or Mastercard to pay the state fee of €150.

2. Submit your application

Go to the e-Residency program application website and complete all the information requested:

• Personal data (name, surname, nationality, etc.). Make sure the data is correct.

• ID (if you are from Europe) or passport. The issuing authority is the official institution that issued your ID or passport. Usually, this information appears in the passport.
• You must also upload a photo of your face and another of your ID or passport. This photo must follow the same guidelines as any passport photo: white/neutral background, visible face (for example, without sunglasses).
• Next, you must add additional information, such as your CV, social media accounts, and/or criminal record. Some of these fields are required, but if you are missing something, you can specify it in your application.
• Finally, they will ask you why you want to become an e-resident in Estonia. You should likely choose "Location Independent International Business" (international business with geographical independence).

• You'll also have to choose your pick-up location for your card, but make sure that the location is in a country or region you have the right to go to.

3. Wait for your request to be approved

The process can take up to 30 days and you may be asked for additional information or documents if necessary.

If all goes well, they will send you a message to inform you that the Estonian police are reviewing your application. It is expected, part of the process, and the goal is to ensure you're "good people."

Weeks later, you will receive confirmation of your application's approval and will be notified that your Estonian e-Residency kit is on its way to the selected embassy.

Then, for the next 1-2 weeks, you will receive a notification to come to pick it up.

4. Pick up your Estonian e-Residency pack

You must pick up your e-Residency kit in person, as your fingerprints are required. You must also bring the same identification document you attached to the application form.

The e-residency kit contains the card, a small foldable USB card reader and some instructions containing PIN1, PIN2, and PUK.

5. Start using your e-resident card

To start using your card you must download the DigiDoc4 identification software, and then you can connect your card reader to the USB port of your computer. Remember to place the side of the card with the gold chip facing up.

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

How Much Does It Cost?

The standard application fee is €130, plus €20 for shipping, for a total of €150.
An additional small fee (around €23.60) may apply in certain collection centers such as São Paulo, Johannesburg, or Bangkok.
This fee is paid directly on the official e-Residency application website when you submit your form.

Can I Register My Company Without e-Residency?

No, Companio can only register and manage companies fully online for e-residents. If you are not yet an e-resident, you must first apply for e-Residency to use Companio’s services in Estonia.

It is technically possible to register a company in Estonia without e-Residency, but that process requires:

• Visiting a notary in Estonia in person, or
• Granting a power of attorney through a sworn translation and notary abroad.

Because these are offline procedures, Companio does not offer that alternative.

Updated on: 26/08/2026