Estonia Company shareholder permit

Temporary residence permit for a shareholder who has invested at least EUR 65,000 (≈ $72,600) in an Estonian-registered company. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least EUR 65,000 (≈ $72,600) · Minimum invested in the activities of the company in Estonia. 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), confirmed by signing the application. ^{1 6}
• A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for in Estonia. ⁵
• A fee of EUR 380 (≈ $420) · State fee for a temporary residence permit for business applied for at a foreign representation. ⁵

Requirements

• The applicant is not a citizen of an EU or EEA state or Switzerland. ¹
• The applicant holds shares in a company registered in the Estonian Business Register. ¹
• At least EUR 65,000 (≈ $72,600) is invested in the company's activities in Estonia. ¹
• Income is at least six times the subsistence level: EUR 1,320 (≈ $1,470) per month in 2026. ^{1 6}
• The state fee is EUR 350 (≈ $390) in Estonia or EUR 380 (≈ $420) at an Estonian foreign mission. ⁵
• A business plan in Estonian or English with company details, the business idea and two-year forecasts is submitted. ¹
• The plan also gives CVs of the board members, shareholders or supervisory board members. ¹
• A health insurance contract is in place with cover of at least EUR 6,000 (≈ $6,700) a year. ^{1 7}
• The decision takes up to 90 days and the permit card follows within 30 days. ¹
• The holder settles in Estonia and registers the place of residence in the Population Register. ¹
• After one year, sales of EUR 200,000 (≈ $223,000) a year or social tax equal to five times the average salary can replace the investment condition. 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 the company.

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 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Residence permit for business: shareholders of a company · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-12
2. 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 · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
4. 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 · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
6. Subsistence benefit and subsistence level (toimetulekupiir) · Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
7. Aliens Act (Välismaalaste seadus), consolidated text in force from 1 October 2026 · Riigi Teataja · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-06-30
8. Temporary residence permit for permanent residence · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11
9. Applying for a residence permit · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11