What does the Estonia Startup Visa offer?
The Estonia Startup Visa is a program designed specifically for founders outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland. The aim is to attract innovative, technology-based, and globally scalable startups to Estonia.
The program differs from classic “immigration” visas in several critical ways:
- You receive the visa or residence permit based on your own startup, not tied to an employer.
- The prerequisite is not a classic capital investment; it is an innovative business model approved by the Startup Committee.
- Initially, it provides a D type national visa (up to 365 days), followed by a temporary residence permit (TRP) allowing you to stay longer in Estonia and grow your company.
In summary; this visa aims to help you and your team open up to the EU market by working from Estonia, attracting investment, and expanding your team globally when necessary.
Who can apply for the Estonia Startup Visa in 2026?
1. Only non-EU founders
The program is open only to founders who are not citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland. Entrepreneurs who are already EU citizens do not need a visa to establish a company in Estonia.
2. Conditions regarding the business model
The Estonia Startup Visa is not valid for “any type of commercial activity.” According to the 2026 rules, your business must have the following characteristics:
- It must be technology-based (SaaS, fintech, AI, deeptech, platform models, scalable digital solutions, etc.).
- It must demonstrate high scalability; meaning your revenue should be able to increase not just by adding more time or physical labor but by scaling technology.
- Simple local businesses (cafe, restaurant, classic consulting, small shop, etc.) and jobs in only agency/freelance formats are generally not considered suitable.
- Your startup must not be only at the idea stage; at least one MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or prototype, early user/customer feedback, and a clarified business model are expected.
3. Startup Committee approval (the most critical step)
The main “test” in the Estonia Startup Visa is the approval of the Startup Committee. This committee, composed of ecosystem actors in Estonia, evaluates your application based on the following criteria:
- The innovation and technological depth of your product
- The scalability of your business model and its global growth potential
- The team’s background, technical and commercial competencies
- The potential contribution of the startup to the Estonian economy and ecosystem
After your online application, the committee’s decision usually comes within 10 business days. If approved, you will receive a confirmation letter and a Startup Code; after that, you can apply for a visa or residence permit at the consulate/PPAB.
4. Financial sufficiency requirement
Founders must be able to cover their living expenses without needing public support during their stay in Estonia. The minimum amount projected for 2026 is:
- At least €800 per month (per founder)
- For a one-year stay, at least €9,600 (per founder)
This amount can be supported by bank statements, savings, or investor contracts. If you are coming with family, additional financial resources for your spouse and children are expected.
5. Health insurance and other prerequisites
During the application, you also need to show:
- A valid passport
- Health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area
- Your intention to stay long-term in Estonia and manage the company from there
Step by step 2026 Estonia Startup Visa application process
1. Preliminary check and preparation
First, you can use the online preliminary assessment tools of Startup Estonia to test whether your startup meets the Estonia Startup Visa criteria. At this stage, you need to prepare:
- A detailed and English business plan or investor presentation
- Founders’ CVs and LinkedIn profiles
- MVP or product demo, if available a live product link
- Market research, competitor analysis, revenue model, and scaling strategy
2. Online application to the Startup Committee
The next step is to submit your startup to the Startup Committee to obtain a Startup Code. You do this online through the official Startup Estonia website.
The application usually requires the following information:
- A detailed description of your product and technology
- Target market(s), customer segments, competitors
- Revenue model and 2-3 year growth projections
- Founding team structure, task distribution, and past successes
- Validation evidence such as MVP, user numbers, pilot agreements, early revenue
3. Committee evaluation
After your application, the committee usually decides within 10 business days. They may request additional information, a presentation, or a brief online meeting during the process.
When approved, you will receive:
- An official confirmation letter
- A unique Startup Code to use when applying for a visa/residence
Without this document, you cannot apply for a D visa or TRP under the Estonia Startup Visa.
4. Choosing the appropriate visa/residence path
After obtaining the Startup Code, you will use one of the following options based on your residence plan:
- D type national visa (Startup Visa): Allows you to stay in Estonia for up to 365 days. Suitable for short/medium-term plans or those not yet fully ready for long-term TRP.
- Temporary Residence Permit (TRP): Allows you to live in Estonia longer (usually up to several years), establish a company, and reside with your family. If your business plan is long-term, TRP is critically important.
5. Visa/TRP application at the consulate/PPAB
You apply to the Estonian embassy or consulate in your country with the Startup Code. The essential documents you need to submit are:
- Startup Committee approval letter and Startup Code
- Visa application form (the relevant form for D visa or TRP)
- Valid passport and biometric photos
- Financial documents showing a minimum €800/month income (bank statements, etc.)
- Health insurance policy (with at least €30,000 coverage, valid in Schengen)
The average processing time for D visa applications is about 30 days; for TRP applications, it can extend up to 2 months.
2026 fees and processing times
Official fees (as of 2026)
- Long-term D visa fee: €120
- Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) fee: €380
- E-Residency card (optional): €150
Average processing times
- Startup Committee decision: 10 business days
- D visa processing time: 30 days
- TRP processing time: Up to 2 months
Processing times may vary based on application volume and the workload of the embassy/PPAB. Especially if applying as a team, it is wise to allow ample time for potential delays.
What to do when you arrive in Estonia
After your visa/residence permit is approved and you enter Estonia, there are important steps you need to complete:
- If you received a TRP, you must register your company and official address in Estonia within 30 days after your residence permit is issued. Otherwise, you risk losing your residence permit.
- Complete your company registration through the Estonian Commercial Register and finalize your tax number and local address registration.
- Organize your local accounting, tax, and legal compliance processes (payroll, VAT, founder agreements, investment contracts, etc.).
No investment requirement, but “demonstrable growth” is very important
The program does not have an official minimum investment amount. This means there is no obligation to show a certain amount of capital or funds. However, the committee and immigration authority look favorably on the following factors:
- Initial customer contracts, pilot agreements, user numbers
- Existing or planned investor relations
- The startup’s capacity to convert into revenue or employment in a short time
Showing not just a nice idea but a realistic and data-driven growth plan significantly increases the chances of approval.
Estonia Startup Visa with family: Spouse and children
Under the Estonia Startup Visa:
- Your spouse and children under 18 can apply for a visa/residence permit as dependents with you.
- Official documents for family members, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates, often need to be prepared with apostille and sworn translation.
- You are expected to plan for children’s education, language integration (Estonian/English programs), and accommodation in advance.
Entrepreneurs planning to move with family should also consider additional monthly expenses for family members in financial sufficiency.
Estonia Startup Visa vs E-Residency: Two frequently confused programs
Estonia is often mentioned with its globally recognized e-Residency program. However, this program should not be confused with the Startup Visa:
- Startup Visa / TRP: Provides the right to work from Estonia, either from an office or home, and live with your family. Your startup must be innovative and scalable.
- E-Residency: Only offers a digital identity and the ability to establish and manage a company remotely in Estonia. Does not grant residency or visa rights. For details, you can check the official e-Residency portal.
Many founders first establish their company with e-Residency, set up banking and accounting processes; then when they want to physically grow the company from Estonia, they initiate the residency process with the Startup Visa.
Why is professional support important in business planning, tax, and compliance processes?
A significant portion of Estonia Startup Visa applications are rejected due to poorly prepared business plans, insufficient financial documentation, and incorrect company structures, even if the idea is innovative.
Especially:
- Incorrect structuring of share ratios and responsibilities in structures with multiple founders
- Incorrect application of posted worker / EOR / payroll models when employing teams from different countries
- Risks of double taxation arising from having a company in Estonia while income and tax flows occur in other countries
can create serious legal and financial issues in the medium and long term.
As Corpenza, we provide end-to-end support for entrepreneurs in Estonia and across Europe on:
- Company formation and tax optimization strategies for entrepreneurs
- Staff posting within the EU, posted worker model, and EOR/payroll solutions
- Management of international accounting and compliance processes
- Integrated planning of visa, residence, and recruitment strategies for both founders and teams
This way, while you focus on product and growth, the legal and financial framework on the Estonian side is managed professionally.
Conclusion: Opening up to Europe with the Estonia Startup Visa in 2026
In 2026, the Estonia Startup Visa:
- Offers a fast, transparent, and relatively low-cost path to residency for non-EU technology entrepreneurs.
- Provides a highly predictable timeline with minimum €800/month financial sufficiency, a committee decision in 10 business days, and a D visa in about 30 days.
- Creates a strong leverage for teams that have passed the MVP level and have a clear intention to scale globally to enter the European market.
For a successful application; you need to demonstrate an innovative and scalable business model, a well-structured business plan, solid financial documents, and a clear intention for long-term presence in Estonia. Working with experienced professionals to set up the legal, financial, and operational architecture correctly from the beginning can be very decisive in this process.
Important disclaimer
This article is prepared for general informational purposes; it does not constitute legal, financial, or immigration advice. Visa and residence permit regulations may change over time. Always check the guidelines of the relevant country authorities and official sites for up-to-date information before applying, and seek professional support from experts when necessary.
