How much does an Estonian OÜ cost in 2026? Full cost breakdown
In this article, we cover:
- The cost of registering an OÜ through a law firm depends on the registration method and scope of service. At Thompson&Stein, fees range from EUR 650 (E-Business Package) to EUR 2,000 (Business Package)
- Every package requires a mandatory registered address and Contact Person service: EUR 400 per year, without which the company cannot operate
- Annual operating costs of an Estonian OÜ are comparable to running a private limited company with a local accountant in most EU countries
- 0% CIT on reinvested profits is Estonia’s main tax advantage. 22% applies only to distributed dividends
- Thompson&Stein is the only law firm with a physical office in Estonia offering full-scope services directly, without third-party intermediaries
- nexa.tax is the only English-speaking accounting practice embedded within a law firm in Estonia
See how comprehensive OÜ company formation in Estonia works — go to the service page and learn the details of registration, legal support, and accounting.
How much does an Estonian OÜ cost in 2026? Full cost breakdown
How much does an Estonian OÜ cost? Most law firms avoid giving a direct answer. We will give you one — but an honest answer requires one sentence of context: the cost always depends on two things: the registration method and the scope of service you choose.
Full power-of-attorney registration is a different cost structure than registering through an e-resident who clicks through the Estonian portals themselves. A complex corporate structure with foreign shareholders is a different conversation from a solo freelancer’s company. That is why, instead of a single number, we give you a full breakdown for every route.
Registering an Estonian OÜ — four routes and their costs
Before we get to the numbers, it is worth understanding where those numbers come from. An OÜ can be incorporated in several ways, and each means a different scope of work, a different timeline, and a different price.
E-Business Package — EUR 650
This option is for you if you hold an e-Residency card — Estonia’s qualified digital signature issued to foreign nationals by the Estonian government — or if you intend to apply for one. The card allows you to sign documents and submit registration applications remotely, without travelling to Estonia or involving a notary.
In practice, the E-Business Package works best for freelancers and digital entrepreneurs who want a simple structure, operate independently, and are comfortable navigating the registration portal with our guidance at every step. Thompson&Stein coordinates the entire process: preparing the corporate structure and articles of association, ensuring the accuracy of all applications, and monitoring the registration. You sign with your e-Residency card and wait for the result.
Time from application to registered company: 3–5 business days.
Government fees payable directly to Estonian authorities are not included in the package price. Every package also requires a mandatory registered address and Contact Person service, billed separately. We cover this service in detail below.
Business Package — EUR 2,000
If you want to hand everything over and wait for the result, this is the package for you. The company is registered by the firm acting under a notarised or apostilled power of attorney. You do not need e-Residency, you do not need to travel to Estonia, and you do not need to know Estonian procedures.
A key advantage of this route is complete flexibility in structuring the shareholding and management board. It does not matter whether shareholders are individuals or legal entities, or which country they are from — as long as the relevant jurisdiction or person is not on Estonian sanctions lists.
The Business Package is particularly well suited to more complex corporate structures: multiple shareholders, foreign legal entities, non-standard articles of association, or the need for VAT registration from day one. Thompson&Stein handles everything from document preparation and coordination with a Tallinn notary to filing with the register and handing over the fully incorporated company with a complete document set.
Completion time with full documentation: up to 14 business days.
The package requires a mandatory registered address and Contact Person service, EUR 400 per year at Thompson&Stein. This service includes a contract accepted by financial institutions for the purpose of opening a bank account.
See how comprehensive OÜ company formation in Estonia works — go to the service page and learn the details of registration, legal support, and accounting.
In-person registration with a notary in Tallinn
A third route, less often discussed but fully available. Registration through a notary in Estonia is open to anyone — it does however require a personal visit to Tallinn. Notary fees range from approximately EUR 100–350 depending on the complexity of the transaction, plus a state fee of EUR 265. This option makes sense if you are planning a trip to Estonia anyway or prefer direct contact with a local lawyer at the point of incorporation.
Self-registration with address and Contact Person only
The fourth option, for those who hold e-Residency, know the Estonian procedures, and want to handle everything themselves. Self-registration through the e-Business Register costs EUR 265 (state fee). You will also need a mandatory registered address and Contact Person: from EUR 200 per year with budget providers, or EUR 400 per year at Thompson&Stein — including a bank-accepted contract.
This is the lowest-cost entry route, but it comes with no legal support, no structure review, and no help opening a bank account. For a simple business model it may be sufficient. Any degree of complexity makes it worth calculating the cost of a first mistake.
Ongoing costs — what does it cost to maintain an Estonian OÜ?
Registration is a one-off expense. The real cost picture begins after incorporation — and many people are surprised not by the size of the costs, but by their number. Here is a breakdown of every line item.
Registered address and Contact Person — EUR 400 per year
This is a mandatory cost for every OÜ whose shareholders or board members are not Estonian residents. Estonian law requires every company to maintain a legal address on Estonian territory and a designated contact person — a licensed service provider who receives official correspondence and represents the company before Estonian authorities.
At Thompson&Stein this service costs EUR 400 per year and covers a Tallinn address and handling of official correspondence. It also includes a contract accepted by financial institutions, which is required when opening a business bank account.
Accounting services — from EUR 160 per month
The basic nexa.tax subscription is EUR 160 net per month and covers bookkeeping, monthly tax returns, VAT reports, the Estonian equivalent of a transaction register, and payroll processing. The subscription includes a flat allocation of 2 hours of accountant time per month. Additional work is billed at an hourly rate: EUR 80 (Junior bookkeeper) or EUR 160 (Senior Accounting Partner).
Annual report — minimum EUR 500 per year
Every OÜ must file annual financial statements with the Commercial Register. The minimum fee for preparation by the firm is EUR 500 per year. The amount is invoiced after the financial year closes; the report must be filed by the middle of the following calendar year.
The combined fixed costs of running the company — address, accounting, and annual report — are comparable to maintaining a limited liability company with a local accountant in most EU countries. The difference lies in the tax system: Estonia does not tax profits that remain in the company.
Competitors — what they offer and what they leave out
There are providers in the market who register an OÜ for 20–30% less. Those prices are possible because the model is different: transactional, high-volume, with no personalisation. You receive a registered company — and that is it.
What is typically absent: legal and tax advisory in your language, a review of whether the corporate structure suits your business model, help opening a bank account, a physical office in Estonia, support for corporate changes, and familiarity with the relevant double tax treaty.
A cheaper provider may be the right choice for a simple, solo digital company — if you already have experience with the Estonian system and manage your own accounting. In any other case, a few hundred euros saved at entry stops being relevant at the first legal or tax mistake.
If you are choosing a law firm to help with incorporation, there are a few things worth checking:
Thompson&Stein is the only law firm with offices in both Estonia and Poland, serving clients in English and in Polish, and providing the full range of services in-house without referrals to third parties. nexa.tax is the only English-speaking accounting practice embedded within a law firm in Estonia. Our track record goes back to 2013, primarily with small and medium-sized businesses, with additional experience in large-scale transactions and public-sector engagements.
Frequently asked questions
Is setting up an OÜ in Estonia more expensive than forming a company in other EU countries?
Registration costs through a law firm are broadly comparable to other EU jurisdictions. The meaningful difference emerges after incorporation: annual running costs can be lower, and the tax system (0% CIT on retained profits, 22% only on distributed dividends) creates a real financial advantage as revenues grow.
Are there hidden costs in the registration?
At Thompson&Stein there are no hidden costs — every line item is disclosed upfront. It is worth noting that government fees payable directly to Estonian authorities may fall outside the package price. Some budget providers quote a net service fee that excludes state fees, address costs, and add-ons — always ask for the full cost picture before deciding.
What does monthly maintenance of an OÜ cost?
The base accounting subscription is EUR 160 net per month. Adding the registered address pro-rated monthly (approx. EUR 33) and setting aside for the annual report (approx. EUR 42 per month), the realistic fixed operating cost is around EUR 235 per month.
Do I need e-Residency to set up an OÜ?
No. E-Residency is only required for the E-Business Package route. The Business Package — registration through a power of attorney — requires no e-Residency card and is available to anyone regardless of nationality or country of residence.
Does Thompson&Stein have an office in Tallinn?
Yes. Thompson&Stein OÜ has an office in Tallinn and operates as a licensed service provider in Estonia. We have been serving clients since 2013 and are the only law firm with a physical presence in Estonia offering full-scope services in English directly, without intermediaries.
When does an Estonian OÜ become financially worthwhile?
It depends on the business model and revenue structure. Clients at Thompson&Stein typically incorporate an OÜ once annual revenues reach approximately EUR 30,000 or more — the point at which the tax advantages start to outweigh the cost of maintaining the structure. That said, the decision is always individual: what matters is not just the revenue level, but how remuneration is structured, tax residency, and the nature of the business activity.
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