EstoniaActiveStartup Visas

Startup Visa

Live in Estonia on roughly €800/month proof of funds — no minimum investment required. Requires Startup Committee endorsement.

Estonia's e-Residency is a separate product and is not a residence program. According to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, an e-Resident's digital ID does not grant the right to reside in Estonia.

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Official program name: Estonian Startup Visa
Program category: Starting an innovative company
Current status: Active and accepting applications
Best suited for: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss founders of technology-based, innovative, scalable startups with at least an MVP
Overview: Estonia's Startup Visa gives founders of innovative, technology-driven businesses a route to a D-visa (up to 12 months) or a temporary residence permit (up to 5 years), subject to Startup Committee endorsement. There's no minimum investment requirement — instead, applicants must show proof of funds of at least €800 per month (about €9,600/year), which the program describes as the bare statutory minimum required by law. Spouses need €640/month.
Minimum investment: None — proof-of-funds requirement of €800/month per founder (€640/month for spouse) instead
Active involvement required: Yes
Residence status granted: D-visa (up to 12 months) or Temporary Residence Permit (up to 5 years)
Family inclusion: Yes
Spouse work rights: Yes
Permanent residence pathway: Conditional — PR after 5 years continuous legal residence; citizenship after 8 years
Endorsement requirement: Startup Committee approval required
Official source: startupestonia.ee/startup-visa/startup/

Want more background?

Our guide explains how this route works in practice and what to prepare first.

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Directional guidance only, not immigration advice. Confirm current Startup Committee criteria with Startup Estonia. Last verified September 15, 2026.