Residence permit for start-up business

Conditions

What are the requirements for applying for a residence permit for enterprise related to start-up business?

  • You must have a holding in a company.
  • The company must be registered in the Estonian Business Register.
  • The start-up company must have been positively evaluated by the expert committee or exempted from the obligation of evaluation.
  • You must have sufficient income (four times the subsistence level) for subsistence in Estonia, which you shall confirm by signing the application. The subsistence level shall be established each year in the State Budget Act.
  • You must have a medical insurance policy, which you shall confirm by signing the application. The requirements regarding the medical insurance policy are listed in section 120 (“Insurance cover”) of the Aliens Act.
  • After receipt of the residence permit, you must move to Estonia and register your place of residence in the Population Register.

What is a start-up company?

A start-up company is a company starting activity with the purpose to develop and launch an innovative business model with high global growth potential. The activities of start-up company contribute to the development of the Estonian business environment.

What does the evaluation of a start-up company for the issue of a residence permit involve?

In order to apply for a residence permit for start-up business, you must submit an application to the expert committee for evaluation of the start-up company. You can submit the application here.

The application shall include:

  • your personal details
  • information about the company
  • a description of the business model
  • additional information or evidence, if necessary

The expert committee at the Ministry of the Interior shall give their opinion on whether the company can be classified as a start-up company within 10 working days following the receipt of the completed application.

In which cases is there no need to submit the application for evaluation of a start-up company?

The application for the evaluation of a start-up company does not need to be submitted if the company has been evaluated before or if it has been listed in a decree of the Minster of the Interior as exempt from the obligation of evaluation.