Your startup’sfast laneinto Europe.
EstoPass guides non-EU founders through Estonia’s Startup Visa — from a committee-ready application to your residence permit, company and first day in Tallinn.
Startup visa · D-visa · Residence permit · e-Residency · Tallinn · Tartu · 10 working days
01 — Sinine / The dream
1.3 million people.10 unicorns.
A country the size of a mid-sized city built Skype, Wise and Bolt. Everything here is designed to let founders move fast — including the state itself.
- #1
in Europe for startups, unicorns and VC investment per capita
- 10
unicorns — Skype, Playtech, Wise, Bolt, Pipedrive, Zego, ID.me, Gelato, Veriff, Glia
- 1,500+
startups in the ecosystem
- 100%
of public services online in English, 24/7
- €4.4B
raised by Estonian startups since 2006
- R/01
An EU base with Schengen reach
Live and build inside the EU. A long-stay D-visa also lets you visit other Schengen states for up to 90 days.
- R/02
A state that runs online
Every public service is online in English, around the clock. Estonians have signed documents digitally since 2002.
- R/03
No investment threshold
Startup founders skip the €65,000 investment required for ordinary business permits — and the committee review is free.
- R/04
Hire the world
Estonian startups hire non-EU talent with no immigration quota and no minimum-salary requirement.
- R/05
Bring your family
Your spouse and children can join you, and your spouse can work.
- R/06
Tax that stays out of the way
Estonia ranked #1 for tax competitiveness among OECD countries in 2025.
02 — Must / The groundwork
The hard part
In 2022, 667 startups applied. 27% were approved. The Startup Committee isn’t looking for good ideas — it’s looking for technology-based, innovative, scalable businesses with an MVP and first traction. We help you prove it.
The route
Five stationsto Tallinn.
Every founder takes the same line. We ride it with you, station by station.
Official state fees and processing times from the Police and Border Guard Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked September 2026.
Station 01: Eligibility check
We pressure-test your startup against what the committee looks for — technology-based, innovative, scalable, with an MVP and first traction — and tell you honestly: go, fix or rethink.
- When
- Before you apply
- State fee
- None
Station 02: Startup Committee
Your startup-code application is submitted online and reviewed by experts from Estonia’s startup community. A positive decision comes with a unique application code.
- Decision
- Within 10 working days
- State fee
- Free
Station 03: D-visa
With your code, apply for a long-stay D-visa at an Estonian embassy — or at the Police and Border Guard Board if you are already in Estonia visa-free. Live here for up to a year.
- Processing
- 10–30 days
- State fee
- €120
- Funds
- ≥ €880 per month of stay
Station 04: Company + residence permit
Register your Estonian company, then apply in person for a temporary residence permit for business — valid for up to five years and renewable.
- Processing
- Up to ~2 months
- State fee
- €350 in Estonia · €380 abroad
Station 05: Landing in Tallinn
Register your address within a month of arrival, collect your ID card, open a bank account, settle your family — and get building.
- Address
- Register within 1 month
- Family
- Spouse & children can join
What we handle
The groundwork,done properly.
One team from first assessment to first day. No prices on a page — every route is different, so we scope yours on a call.
- S/01
Readiness roadmap
Idea-stage? The committee expects an MVP and first traction. We map exactly what to build, prove and document before you apply.
- S/02
Committee-ready application
A deck, narrative and startup-code application that make your innovation, scalability and team impossible to miss.
- S/03
Visa & residence permit
D-visa and residence-permit filings, document checklists, embassy appointments and follow-ups with the Police and Border Guard Board.
- S/04
Company formation
Estonian company registration, e-Residency guidance, accounting partners and banking — set up the way investors expect.
- S/05
Relocation & family
Housing search, address registration, ID cards, schools, and permits for your spouse and children.
- S/06
Ecosystem orientation
Where to start in Tallinn and Tartu: communities, accelerators, events and the people worth meeting.
Does it count?
Startupor business?
Under Estonian law a startup develops an innovative, repeatable business model with great global growth potential. Tap a card to see why it lands where it does.
“Think Airbnb and Uber, not restaurants or one-man consultancies.”
Startup Visa material
Needs a different route
Tap any card to see why it lands where it does.
03 — Valge / Clarity
Are youcleared for Tallinn?
Eight questions, two minutes. You get an honest readiness score, your gaps, and what to do next.
Indicative only — the Startup Committee makes the decision.
Questions
Straightanswers.
Official figures, checked September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the official sources linked below.
Do I need an Estonian company before I apply?
Not for the startup visa itself — you can apply to the Startup Committee and for a D-visa first. A company registered in Estonia is required before you apply for the temporary residence permit.
Official source ↗Can I apply with just an idea?
No. Startup Estonia defines a startup as a technology-based, innovative and scalable business that has an MVP and first traction, and purely idea-stage projects are not eligible. We help idea-stage founders build a roadmap to get there.
Official source ↗How long does the whole process take?
The Startup Committee decides within 10 working days. A D-visa is typically processed in 10–30 days. A residence permit takes up to about two months; the Police and Border Guard Board commits to a response within 90 days.
Official source ↗What are the state fees?
The committee review is free. A long-stay D-visa costs €120. A temporary residence permit for business costs €350 when applied for in Estonia, or €380 at a foreign representation.
Official source ↗How much money do I need?
For the D-visa you must show at least €880 for every month you plan to stay (€704 per month for a spouse). For the residence permit you need to show sufficient income, plus health insurance.
Official source ↗Can my family come with me?
Yes — your spouse, minor children and adult children who depend on you for health reasons. Your spouse can work in Estonia; there are no separate work permits.
Official source ↗Do I have to live in Estonia?
Yes. The visa and permit are for staying in Estonia to establish and develop your startup. If you don’t want to relocate, e-Residency lets you run an Estonian company remotely.
Official source ↗Can I travel around Europe?
The long-stay D-visa is a national visa that also lets you visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days.
Official source ↗Can I apply online?
The startup-code application to the Startup Committee is online. The residence permit application has to be submitted in person.
Official source ↗What happens after five years?
The temporary residence permit is issued for up to five years and can be extended for up to ten years at a time. After five years of continuous legal residence you can apply for permanent residency, which includes Estonian language skills at B1 level.
Official source ↗Are you part of Startup Estonia or the government?
No. EstoPass is an independent advisory. Decisions are made by the Startup Committee and Estonian state authorities — we help you prepare the strongest possible case and handle the paperwork around it.
Let’s talk
Your move,planned.
Tell us where you are. We’ll tell you, honestly, what it takes to get your startup to Tallinn.
- 01We reviewYour profile and test result, before we talk.
- 02Strategy callThirty minutes on your route, gaps and timeline.
- 03Route planA written plan: documents, timeline, next steps.