What is e-Residency?

The Estonian e-residency card is an identity verification tool, somewhat similar to Internet banking login passwords or a PIN calculator. It does not give you Estonian residency, tax residency, or a visa to visit Estonia.

In technical terms, it is a government-issued digital identity that provides entrepreneurs from around the world with secure digital access to Estonia's advanced e-services and transparent business environment. Plus, the ability to start a company 100% online from anywhere. Estonia was the first country to offer e-Residency, starting in 2014.

E-residency is a valuable tool for individuals who want to start and manage a global business from anywhere in the world, with access to the EU market and the convenience of Estonia’s highly digitalized infrastructure.

Once you have e-residency, you can install the Smart-ID app on your mobile device, which is far more user-friendly than using a physical e-residency card. Smart-ID can be used in almost any computer or mobile device.

Related topics:

What to do if I have lost my e-residency

Using EU digital ID to manage Estonian company

Previous
Previous

How can I establish an Estonian company if I do not have an e-residency?

Next
Next

How to distribute profits from an Estonian company