Startup Visa

Estonia's Startup Visa enables non-EU/EEA entrepreneurs to relocate to Estonia to build an innovative, technology-based startup with global growth potential. The program offers a two-stage immigration pathway: first a long-stay (Type D) visa for up to one year, then a temporary residence permit for up to five years. Startup founders are exempt from the standard €65,000 investment requirement that applies to general business residence permits.

• Must be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland
• Must be a founder or shareholder of a startup meeting Estonia's statutory definition: innovative, scalable, technology-based business model with global growth potential
• Company must not be older than 10 years
• Must receive a positive assessment from the Startup Estonia expert committee
• At least an MVP, prototype, or early customer feedback is required — idea-stage companies are not eligible
• Minimum income of €880 per month for the planned duration of stay (based on 4x the subsistence level of €220 as of 2026)
• Only technology-based businesses qualify (SaaS, fintech, AI, deeptech, platform models, scalable digital solutions) — traditional businesses such as restaurants or consulting firms do not qualify

• Valid travel document (issued within 10 years, 2+ blank pages, 3+ months validity beyond visa expiration)
• Completed application form and colour photograph (35x45 mm for visa, 40x50 mm for residence permit)
• Startup Committee confirmation letter with application code
• Proof of financial means (€880/month)
• Health insurance (minimum €30,000 Schengen coverage for visa; contract meeting § 120 requirements for residence permit)
• Accommodation confirmation in Estonia
• State fee payment (€120 for long-stay visa, €350 for residence permit)
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated (for residence permit)

The program has two phases:

1. Long-stay visa (Phase 1): Up to 365 days, extendable for an additional 183 days (maximum 548 days within a 730-day period)
2. Temporary residence permit (Phase 2): Up to 5 years initially, renewable for up to 10 years per extension

The startup must continue to meet the statutory definition for renewal.

Spouse, minor children, and adult children who are not self-reliant due to health or disability may accompany the primary applicant. Family members on a visa can work if their employment is registered by the employer with the Police and Border Guard Board. As of 2026, each additional adult family member increases the financial threshold by €176/month and each minor child by €264/month.

Estonia offers a unique corporate tax system: 0% tax on retained and reinvested profits, with distributed profits (dividends) taxed at an effective rate of 22%. The preferential rate for regularly distributed dividends was eliminated as of January 2025. Personal income tax is 22% for tax residents (183+ days within 12 months), with a flat basic exemption of €700 per month. Social tax of 33% applies to employment income (minimum monthly obligation €886 as of 2026). VAT standard rate is 24% (from July 2025), with a registration threshold of €40,000 annual turnover.

Phase 1 — Startup Assessment: Complete an eligibility quiz on the Startup Estonia website, then submit an application via the Dealum platform with company information, business model description, and evidence of innovation and scalability. The expert committee evaluates within 10 working days and issues a verification letter if approved. No fee for this phase.

Phase 2 — Visa/Residence Permit: Using the verification letter, apply for a long-stay visa at an Estonian embassy abroad (or at a PPA office if already legally in Estonia), or apply directly for a temporary residence permit at a Police and Border Guard Board service office. Visa processing takes up to 30 days; residence permit processing takes up to 2 months. The entire process from assessment to visa issuance can take approximately 40 days.

The startup must be registered as an Estonian company (OÜ — private limited company is most common). Revenue must be able to increase through technology scaling, not just by adding more labour. Company registration can be initiated remotely via e-Residency prior to arrival. Upon arrival, founders must register their residence address in the Population Register.