E-Resident's digital ID

Citizenship-Based Application Restrictions

Pursuant to subsection 11 of § 206 of the Identity Documents Act and the regulation of the Minister of the Interior, application for an e-resident’s digital ID submitted by citizens of the following countires after the 1st of October 2025 will not be reviewed for citizens of the following countries.

Group I

  • Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Republic of Yemen
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
  • Republic of South Sudan
  • Republic of Mali
  • Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Syrian Arab Republic

E-resident’s digital ID applications submitted by citizens of the countries listed above will only be reviewed if at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • The applicant has resided in a European Economic Area (EEA) Member State, the United Kingdom, or the Swiss Confederation for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to submitting the application for the e-resident’s digital ID and holds a valid residence permit issued by that country.

A valid residence permit must be presented both when applying for an e-resident’s digital ID and upon receipt of the digital ID. At the request of the processing authority, the applicant must be prepared to provide additional evidence during the procedure confirming that they have resided in the respective country for three consecutive years (e.g. confirmation from the country regarding possession of a temporary residence permit).

  • The applicant has permanent economic activity in Estonia.

Permanent economic activity requires that, prior to applying for an e-resident’s digital ID, the applicant owns a company in Estonia or has a direct connection with an Estonian company, for example, by being a member of its management board. The company must be active, generate sales revenue and/or employ staff, and pay taxes to the Estonian state. All obligations related to the company must be fulfilled, including the proper submission of annual reports, tax returns, and beneficial ownership information.

  • The applicant has previously been issued an e-resident’s digital ID card and has used it for its intended purpose.

Intended use requires continuous contribution to the development of Estonia’s economy, science, education, or culture. The applicant must explain and provide evidence of how the use of their e-resident’s digital ID is related to the development. This exception does not apply to those who have once received a positive decision regarding the issuance of an e-resident’s digital ID but never collected the digital ID.

  • The applicant is an employee of an Estonian embassy, an Estonian Honorary Consul, or a contracted export advisor of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.

Applying may be justified if it is required for the performance of duties by an employee of an Estonian embassy, an Estonian Honorary Consul, or a contracted export advisor of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (Enterprise Estonia). For the application of this exception, the processing authority will request confirmation from the respective embassies or from Enterprise Estonia.

Group II

  • Republic of Belarus
  • Russian Federation

Applications for the issuance of an e-resident’s digital ID by citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation will be reviewed only if all the following conditions are met simultaneously:

  • The applicant has previously been issued an e-resident’s digital ID.

This exception does not apply to those who have once received a positive decision regarding the issuance of an e-resident’s digital ID but never collected the digital ID.

  • The applicant has permanent economic activity in Estonia.

Permanent economic activity requires that the applicant owns a company in Estonia or has a direct connection with an Estonian company, for example, by being a member of its management board. The company must be active, generate sales revenue and/or employ staff, and pay taxes to the Estonian state. All obligations related to the company must be fulfilled, including the proper submission of annual reports, tax returns, and beneficial ownership information.