--- title: "Estonia Large investor · €1M requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/business-large-investor/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Estonia · Investing # Estonia Large investor · €1M **Investment needed:** €1M+ ≈ $1.1M Residence permit for business: large investor First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Record corrected 11 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-ee-business-large-investor) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Investment needed:** €1M+ ≈ $1.1M (An investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) · Permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy, or in an investment fund investing mainly in Estonian companies (alternatives). Investment must not decrease during the permit, except for market fluctuation. Income of at least EUR 1,320 a month (≈ $1,470) · Six times the subsistence level set in the State Budget Act (6 x EUR 220 per month in 2026). A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for in Estonia. A fee of EUR 380 (≈ $420) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for at a foreign representation.) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Up to 5 years; extendable up to 10 years at a time.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.) - **Family:** Family can join (Spouse, unmarried minor children and adult children unable to cope independently (health or disability) can apply for family-member residence permits, valid up to 5 years and not beyond the holder's permit.) ## Key facts Large investor · €1M is an investing route for Estonia. Applicants need an investment of €1M+ ≈ $1.1M. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Money needed:** €1M+ ≈ $1.1M - **Government fees:** €350 ≈ $390 · €380 ≈ $420 - **Processing:** Up to 90 days - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fees €730 ≈ $820 in total (2 fees); investment €1M+ ≈ $1.1M; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €350 ≈ $390 · €380 ≈ $420** - EUR 350 (≈ $390) State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for in Estonia. - EUR 380 (≈ $420) State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for at a foreign representation. **Shown, not spent: €1,320+/mo ≈ $1,470** - EUR 1,320 a month (≈ $1,470) Six times the subsistence level set in the State Budget Act (6 x EUR 220 (≈ $250) per month in 2026). **Invested and held: €1M+ ≈ $1.1M** - EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) Permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy, or in an investment fund investing mainly in Estonian companies (alternatives). Investment must not decrease during the permit, except for market fluctuation. **Renewal: Renewable** A residence permit is issued for up to 5 years and can be extended for up to 10 years at a time. [Police and Border Guard Board](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-business/for-large-investors) **Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence** A long-term residence permit needs at least 3 of the last 5 consecutive years in Estonia on a residence permit or right of residence, plus Estonian at A2 level, health insurance, income at subsistence level and the basic adaptation programme. [Police and Border Guard Board](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-permanent-resident) **Processing: Up to 90 days** The Police and Border Guard Board decides within 90 days of accepting the application, and the card follows within 30 days; applying through a foreign mission adds document delivery time. [Police and Border Guard Board](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-business/for-large-investors) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Apply in person at an Estonian foreign mission, or in Estonia at a Police and Border Guard Board service office by appointment. [Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is not a citizen of an EU or EEA state or Switzerland. #### What you must show - The investment is at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) as a permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy. - Alternatively, the investment is in a fund investing mainly in Estonian companies. - Income is at least six times the subsistence level: EUR 1,320 (≈ $1,470) per month in 2026. - The state fee is EUR 350 (≈ $390) in Estonia or EUR 380 (≈ $420) at an Estonian foreign mission. #### Documents - A health insurance contract is in place with cover of at least EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year. - The source of the investment funds and the reliability of the business partner are shown. #### Steps 1. The decision takes up to 90 days and the permit card follows within 30 days. #### After you arrive - The investment must not decrease during the permit, except for market fluctuation. - The investment beneficiary may be changed if the new beneficiary is also an eligible Estonian company or fund. - A large investor does not have to live in Estonia or register a place of residence there. ## What happens at day 183 How Estonia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in 12 consecutive calendar months** Alternative to having a permanent or primary place of residence in Estonia. - **Foreign-source income:** Flat 22% income tax on residents worldwide (including foreign-source) income; EUR 700 (≈ $780) per month basic exemption; non-residents taxed on Estonian-source income only. [All tax rules for Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Temporary residence permit for a permanent direct investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) in an Estonian company or in an investment fund investing mainly in Estonian companies. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) #### What you must show and pay - An investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) · Permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy, or in an investment fund investing mainly in Estonian companies (alternatives). Investment must not decrease during the permit, except for market fluctuation. (source 1) - Income of at least EUR 1,320 a month (≈ $1,470) · Six times the subsistence level set in the State Budget Act (6 x EUR 220 (≈ $250) per month in 2026). (sources 1, 6) - A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for in Estonia. (source 5) - A fee of EUR 380 (≈ $420) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for at a foreign representation. (source 5) #### Requirements - The applicant is not a citizen of an EU or EEA state or Switzerland. (source 1) - The investment is at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) as a permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy. (source 1) - Alternatively, the investment is in a fund investing mainly in Estonian companies. (source 1) - Income is at least six times the subsistence level: EUR 1,320 (≈ $1,470) per month in 2026. (sources 1, 6) - The state fee is EUR 350 (≈ $390) in Estonia or EUR 380 (≈ $420) at an Estonian foreign mission. (source 5) - A health insurance contract is in place with cover of at least EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year. (sources 1, 7) - The source of the investment funds and the reliability of the business partner are shown. (source 7) - The decision takes up to 90 days and the permit card follows within 30 days. (source 1) - The investment must not decrease during the permit, except for market fluctuation. (source 1) - The investment beneficiary may be changed if the new beneficiary is also an eligible Estonian company or fund. (source 1) - A large investor does not have to live in Estonia or register a place of residence there. (source 7) #### Stay - Up to 5 years; extendable up to 10 years at a time. - First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work Business activity in Estonia. #### Family Spouse, unmarried minor children and adult children unable to cope independently (health or disability) can apply for family-member residence permits, valid up to 5 years and not beyond the holder's permit. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Residence permit for business: large investors](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-business/for-large-investors) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Residence permit for a family member](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Residence permit for a family member: for a spouse](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member/for-a-spouse) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Residence permit for a family member: for an adult child](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member/for-an-adult-child) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 5. [State fee amounts: residence permit and rights of residence](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/state-fee-amounts/residence-permit-and-rights-of-residence) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Subsistence benefit and subsistence level (toimetulekupiir)](https://www.sm.ee/toimetulekutoetus) · Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 7. [Aliens Act (Välismaalaste seadus), consolidated text in force from 1 October 2026](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/130062026103) · Riigi Teataja · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-06-30 8. [Temporary residence permit for permanent residence](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-permanent-resident) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 9. [Applying for a residence permit](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 ## Large investor · €1M and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Large investor · €1M | Needs an investment of €1M+ ≈ $1.1M | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [Golden Visa · €250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/) Portugal | Needs an investment of €250k+ ≈ $279k | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [D5 · Property over $150k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d5-real-estate-residence/) Georgia | Needs assets of $150k+ | 1 yr, renewable | No | | [Investor Visa · €1M donation](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/investor-philanthropy-1m/) Italy | Needs an investment of €1M+ ≈ $1.1M | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Golden Visa · €350k mutual fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-mutual-fund/) Greece | Needs an investment of €350k+ ≈ $391k | 5 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Large investor · €1M? An investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000). Permanent direct investment in an Estonian company investing in the Estonian economy, or in an investment fund investing mainly in Estonian companies (alternatives). Income of at least EUR 1,320 a month (≈ $1,470). Six times the subsistence level set in the State Budget Act (6 x EUR 220 (≈ $250) per month in 2026). A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390). State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for in Estonia. A fee of EUR 380 (≈ $420). State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for at a foreign representation. ### How long can I stay on the Large investor · €1M? Up to 5 years; extendable up to 10 years at a time. ### How long does the Large investor · €1M take to process? The Police and Border Guard Board decides within 90 days of accepting the application, and the card follows within 30 days; applying through a foreign mission adds document delivery time. ### Can I work on the Large investor · €1M? Business activity in Estonia. ### Can I bring my family on the Large investor · €1M? Spouse, unmarried minor children and adult children unable to cope independently (health or disability) can apply for family-member residence permits, valid up to 5 years and not beyond the holder's permit. ### Who can apply for the Large investor · €1M? Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Does the Large investor · €1M lead to permanent residence in Estonia? Time on the Large investor · €1 (≈ $1) M counts toward permanent residence in Estonia, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. ### How are Large investor · €1M holders taxed in Estonia? No special regime in our records is tied to the Large investor · €1 (≈ $1) M. The standard rules apply: Flat 22% income tax on residents worldwide (including foreign-source) income; EUR 700 (≈ $780) per month basic exemption; non-residents taxed on Estonian-source income only. ## More in Estonia [Working Holiday · Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/working-holiday-jp/) [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/working-holiday-ca/) [Working Holiday · AU & NZ](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/working-holiday-au-nz/) [Digital nomad D visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/telework-d-visa/) [Company shareholder permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/business-shareholder/) [Sole proprietor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/business-sole-proprietor/) [Start-up founder permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/startup-residence-permit/) [Startup Visa D](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/estonia/startup-visa/) ## Investment visas elsewhere [🇫🇷 Talent · €300k investment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-economic-investment/) [🇨🇾 PR · €300k fund units](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-fund-units/) [🇦🇱 Strategic investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/strategic-investor-permanent/) [🇲🇪 Property owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/property-owner/) [🇲🇹 MPRP · Buy property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/mprp-purchase/) [🇨🇿 Significant investment permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/czechia/investment/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 9 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Residence permit for business: large investors](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-business/for-large-investors) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Residence permit for a family member](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Residence permit for a family member: for a spouse](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member/for-a-spouse) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Residence permit for a family member: for an adult child](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-family-member/for-an-adult-child) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 5. [State fee amounts: residence permit and rights of residence](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/state-fee-amounts/residence-permit-and-rights-of-residence) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Subsistence benefit and subsistence level (toimetulekupiir)](https://www.sm.ee/toimetulekutoetus) · Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 7. [Aliens Act (Välismaalaste seadus), consolidated text in force from 1 October 2026](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/130062026103) · Riigi Teataja · checked 2026-10-11 8. [Temporary residence permit for permanent residence](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/residence-permit-for-a-permanent-resident) · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11 9. [Applying for a residence permit](https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-a-residence-permit/applying-for-a-residence-permit) · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.