Estonia · Temporary Residence
Estonia Residence Permit for Startup Founders
Founders who intend to stay longer than a visa allows move to a temporary residence permit for business. The startup version skips the general investment threshold, runs for up to five years and can be extended for up to ten years at a time.
- Startup route
- Startup Visa
- Minimum capital
- No fixed minimum; Startup Committee approval required
- Permanent residence
- 5 years on a temporary residence permit
- Citizenship
- 8 years of residence, 5 of them permanent
Temporary residence permit for business: start-up entrepreneurs
This is the business residence permit issued to start-up entrepreneurs. It requires a shareholding in a company entered in the Estonian Business Register and a positive evaluation from the expert committee, unless the company is exempt or was evaluated earlier. Applicants confirm, by signing the application, that they have income of at least four times the Estonian subsistence level and a health insurance contract. The Police and Border Guard Board responds within 90 days and issues the residence permit card within 30 days after that. The first permit runs for up to five years and can be extended for up to ten years at a time. Holders must settle in Estonia and register their address in the Population Register.
- Validity
- Up to 5 years; extensions of up to 10 years at a time
- Processing time
- Decision within 90 days; card issued within 30 days after
- Government fee
- EUR 350 in Estonia, EUR 380 at a foreign mission
- Residence card fee
- EUR 70 at a service office, EUR 60 via the self-service portal
- Income
- At least 4 times the subsistence level set by the State Budget Act
- Leads to
- Long-term resident's residence permit after 5 years
Requirements
- A shareholding in a company registered in the Estonian Business Register.
- A positive expert committee evaluation, or an exemption because the company was evaluated before or is on the ministerial exempt list.
- Income of at least four times the subsistence level, confirmed by signing the application.
- A health insurance contract that meets section 120 of the Aliens Act.
- Settlement in Estonia and registration of the place of residence in the Population Register once the permit is granted.
How to apply
- Obtain the committee's decision confirming startup status, or confirm that the company is exempt.
- Register the company and the founder's shareholding in the Estonian Business Register.
- File the application at a Police and Border Guard Board service office or an Estonian foreign mission and pay the state fee.
- Receive the decision within 90 days, then collect the residence permit card within the following 30 days.
- Register the Estonian address within one month of arriving.
Temporary residence permit for business: large investors
Investors who do not fit the startup definition can use the large investor variant of the business residence permit. It requires a permanent direct investment of at least EUR 1,000,000, made either into an Estonian company that invests in the Estonian economy or into an investment fund that invests mainly in Estonian companies. The investor must have income of at least six times the subsistence level and a health insurance contract. As with other business permits, the Police and Border Guard Board answers within 90 days, issues the card within a further 30 days, and grants the first permit for up to five years with extensions of up to ten years at a time.
- Minimum investment
- EUR 1,000,000 as a permanent direct investment
- Qualifying vehicle
- Estonian company, or a fund investing mainly in Estonian companies
- Income
- At least 6 times the subsistence level
- Validity
- Up to 5 years, then extensions of up to 10 years
- Government fee
- EUR 350 in Estonia, EUR 380 abroad
Requirements
- A permanent direct investment of at least EUR 1,000,000 in a qualifying Estonian company or investment fund.
- Income of at least six times the Estonian subsistence level.
- A health insurance contract that satisfies the Aliens Act.
- An application to the Police and Border Guard Board with proof that the state fee has been paid.
How to apply
- Make the qualifying investment through an Estonian company or an eligible investment fund.
- Gather evidence of the investment, income and health insurance.
- Submit the application to the Police and Border Guard Board and pay the state fee.
- Collect the residence permit card within 30 days of a positive decision.
Living in Estonia on a business permit
Estonia does not issue separate work permits, so the residence permit itself frames what the holder may do. A spouse who holds a residence permit to settle with a spouse can work without any extra registration, while a spouse on a visa needs the employer to register short-term employment first. Every year on the business permit counts toward the five years of temporary residence needed for the long-term resident's permit, so founders who expect to stay benefit from keeping the address registered and the health insurance current without gaps.
Questions and answers
Do startup founders need to invest EUR 65,000 like other business permit holders?
No. The EUR 65,000 investment required for the general shareholder permit does not apply to startups with a positive committee evaluation. Startup founders instead need a shareholding in an Estonian-registered company, income of at least four times the subsistence level and health insurance. Shareholders of ordinary companies meet the investment threshold and a higher income test of six times the subsistence level.
What does the residence permit cost?
Under the state fee schedule in force since 1 January 2025, a temporary residence permit for business costs EUR 350 when the application is filed in Estonia and EUR 380 at a foreign mission. Extensions filed in Estonia also cost EUR 350. The residence permit card is charged separately at EUR 70 at a service office or EUR 60 through the self-service portal.
How long does a decision take?
The Police and Border Guard Board gives its decision within 90 days of a complete application and issues the residence permit card within 30 days of a positive answer. Startup Estonia notes that filing at an Estonian embassy abroad can take longer than filing in person at a service office in Estonia.
Can the startup residence permit be extended?
Yes. The first permit is granted for up to five years and may be extended for up to ten years at a time, provided the conditions still hold. An extension of a business permit filed in Estonia carries a EUR 350 state fee. A founder whose company no longer meets the startup definition may need to move to another permit ground, such as the shareholder route.
Official sources
- For start-up entrepreneurs - Residence permit for business - Police and Border Guard Boardwww.politsei.ee
- For large investors - Residence permit for business - Police and Border Guard Boardwww.politsei.ee
- Residence permit and rights of residence - State fee amounts - Police and Border Guard Boardwww.politsei.ee
- Residence permit card - State fee amounts - Police and Border Guard Boardwww.politsei.ee
- frequently asked questions - Startup Estoniastartupestonia.ee
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Estonia.
Startup visa
Long-stay D visa for up to 365 days, extendable by 183, after committee approval
02Temporary residence
Business permit for startup entrepreneurs, up to 5 years once a company exists
03Permanent residence
Long-term resident's permit after 5 years, with B1 Estonian
04Citizenship
8 years of residence, two exams and release from any other citizenship