If you have only non‑resident members of the management board in your Estonian company, we would like to draw your attention to the option of applying for the Estonian e‑Residency (for at least one management board member) and to explain why doing so is highly recommended in general practice. The Estonian e‑Residency is a state‑issued digital identity that enables its owner secure access to Estonia’s large amount of digital services. While it is indeed not mandatory for non-resident Estonian company management board members, it provides several important advantages for the management members of Estonian companies.
The key benefits and advantages of the e‑Residency include:
Digital signing of documents
e‑Residency allows you to digitally sign documents using a qualified electronic (QES) signature that is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature throughout the EU. This enables the e-Resident to sign management board decisions, powers of attorney, employment‑related documents, and contracts remotely, without the need for physical presence, courier services, or notarisation abroad.
Access to Estonian e‑services
With e‑Residency, you can securely access the Estonian Business Register, Estonian e-Tax system and other state portals. This allows you to review and submit filings, monitor your company data, and interact with public authorities in a straightforward and efficient manner.
Efficient company management from abroad
e‑Residency significantly simplifies day‑to‑day corporate governance for non‑resident management board members by allowing all formal actions to be carried out digitally and without delay. This is particularly valuable where decisions must be taken quickly or where board members are located in different jurisdictions.
Reduced administrative burden and faster processes
Digital signing and direct access to Estonian electronical systems reduce administrative friction, lower transaction costs, and shorten timelines for corporate actions such as changes in the Business Register or execution of business agreements.
Business continuity and risk management
From a company perspective, having e‑Resident management board members ensures smoother operations and reduces dependency on physical meetings or local representatives for routine formalities.
Please note that e‑Residency does not create tax residency, personal residence rights, or immigration status in Estonia. It is only a digital identification tool designed to enable secure and efficient participation in Estonia’s digital business environment. For these reasons, e‑Residency is often used by non‑resident management board members of Estonian companies and is considered a good practice in cross‑border corporate governance.
If you decide to proceed, the application can be submitted online (https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/become-an-e-resident/), and the process is straightforward. Please note that the management member must apply personally and submit replies to some personal questions (e.g. social media accounts). Leinonen Estonia Tax & Legal Team would be happy to assist or answer any questions you may have in relation to this topic.
