I reached out to him because many of my Brazilian YouTube viewers have started asking me more about opening a business in Estonia, so I thought that making a video with him could answer the questions I was getting.
He and his business partner, whom I helped open a company in Estonia three years ago, now run a successful service business across Europe. They were willing to answer some of my questions on WhatsApp, but they asked me not to reveal their exact business, just that it’s in the service sector.
They did share that neither of them has ever set foot in Estonia, yet their company operates entirely out of it. Their clients are spread across Europe’s strongest economies, e.g., France, Germany, Spain, and Austria, and they handle contracts, payments, procurement, and payroll through their Estonian business.
They told me that they operate as independent service providers and subcontract others when needed. Their Estonian company allows them to close deals remotely, manage expenses, and grow their team. They live in Europe, which helps with in-person work, but they emphasized that all the administrative and operational structures are done from a distance.
Interestingly, neither has the Estonian e-Residency card, the most common starting point for opening a business in Estonia. Instead, they relied on a local service provider to handle all the paperwork, translations, and legal formalities.
They also said that if anyone is considering using the company for something illicit, they should know that the business has already gone through multiple audits by the Estonian government.
… even among Europeans, Estonia is seen as an easier, more agile place to set up. Popular sectors include IT, consulting, digital marketing, education, e-commerce, and content creation.
The lesson? You don’t need to run a purely digital business to benefit from Estonia’s setup. You don’t even need e-Residency, though it simplifies the process for many. It depends on the nature of your business and how hands-on you want to be.
For those unfamiliar, E-Residency is a government-issued digital ID that gives you access to Estonia’s e-services, allowing you to open and manage a business in the EU entirely online. As of 2025, over 126,500 people from more than 170 countries have become e-residents, creating more than 36,000 companies. In 2024 alone, 11,500 new e-residents joined the program, contributing to 4,820 new companies and over €63 million in tax revenue.
The top ten countries of origin for e-residents might surprise you. Germany, Spain, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy are all there. This suggests that even among Europeans, Estonia is seen as an easier, more agile place to set up.
Popular sectors include IT, consulting, digital marketing, education, e-commerce, and content creation. But there’s increasing variety—many entrepreneurs use Estonia to expand service businesses, build platforms, and even deliver hybrid operations.
Some do it to access EU markets with a credible company profile. Others need to invoice clients in euros and provide a valid VAT number. And many simply want a business environment that doesn’t drown them in red tape.
Of course, Estonia isn’t your only option. Entrepreneurs often compare it to Portugal, Ireland, or the Netherlands—places with strong reputations, but often more bureaucracy, higher taxes, or stricter residency requirements. Estonia’s edge is its digital-first governance, transparent tax structure (0% on retained profits), and supportive startup ecosystem.
If you’re already working with European clients or would like to, this is worth knowing about. Maybe you’re at the stage of browsing options. Or maybe this is the first time you’re realizing it’s even possible.
Either way, I hope this article opened a door. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But if you’ve ever felt held back by the limitations of your local business environment or felt like your business is already global but your structure isn’t, then this might be your sign to look into Estonia.
And if you need someone to guide you, feel free to reach out to me at marili.milt@gmail.com or watch my YouTube video titled “As suas dúvidas sobre e-Residency respondidas” (“Your e-Residency questions answered”). You can turn on translated closed captions by clicking the “CC” button just below the video.
