Residence Permit for Major Investor

Estonia's Residence Permit for Major Investor allows foreign nationals who make a direct investment of at least €1,000,000 in the Estonian economy to reside in Estonia. The permit offers significant advantages over the standard business residence permit: holders are exempt from the annual immigration quota, are not required to register a place of residence in Estonia, and can renew for up to 10 years at a time.

• Must be a non-EU/EEA national
• Direct investment of at least €1,000,000 in an Estonian-registered company that invests in the Estonian economy, or in a qualifying investment fund directed primarily into Estonian companies
• The investment must be permanent (lasting) throughout the permit's validity — it cannot decrease except due to market price fluctuations
• Permanent legal income of at least €1,200 per month (six times the subsistence level)
• Valid health insurance throughout the permit period
• After 1 year, the investment requirement may be replaced by annual sales revenue of at least €200,000 or equivalent monthly social tax payments

• Valid identity document (passport)
• Application form for temporary residence permit
• Biographical data sheet and details of close relatives
• Digital photograph (white background)
• Proof of the €1,000,000 investment in an Estonian company or qualifying fund
• Documents certifying legal income for the preceding 6 months
• Health insurance contract
• Criminal record certificate from countries of prior residence (issued within 6 months, apostilled)
• Proof of state fee payment (€350 in Estonia, €380 at foreign representation)

The initial permit is granted for up to 5 years. Extensions can be granted for up to 10 years per renewal. Applications for extension should be submitted at least 2 months before the current permit expires. The investment must remain at or above €1,000,000 throughout the permit period.

Spouse and minor children may apply for temporary residence permits for family reunification. Each dependant submits a separate application with their own documents and state fee (€225 in Estonia, €255 at foreign representation). Family members must demonstrate legal income and health insurance. Dependant permit validity cannot exceed the main applicant's permit.

Tax residency is triggered by residing in Estonia for at least 183 days within any consecutive 12-month period. Tax residents pay a flat 22% income tax (increasing to 24% from 2026) on worldwide income, with a basic exemption of €700/month. Non-residents are taxed only on Estonian-source income. Holding a residence permit alone does not automatically make one a tax resident. Estonia has double taxation agreements with numerous countries.

The investment must be made before applying. Applications are submitted in person at a Police and Border Guard Board service office in Estonia (appointments via broneering.politsei.ee) or at an Estonian foreign representation abroad. Fingerprints are required unless provided within the preceding 6 years. Processing takes up to 2 months (90 days for complex cases). Upon approval, the residence permit card is produced within 30 days.

Qualifying investments include direct investment in an Estonian-registered company that invests in the Estonian economy, or investment in a fund whose policy directs resources primarily into companies registered in Estonia's Commercial Register. Portfolio investments or passive holdings that don't meet these criteria are not sufficient. The investor may change the investment beneficiary during the permit period, provided the new entity meets the same requirements and the Police and Border Guard Board is notified.