Can You Be a Citizen of a Country You’ve Never Visited?

In a world where entrepreneurship increasingly transcends geography, Estonia has pioneered a state-backed solution to match. Launched in 2014, the e-Residency program allows anyone, anywhere, to apply for a secure digital identity issued by the Estonian government.

This identity doesn’t grant citizenship or residency, but it does provide access to Estonia’s digital infrastructure, empowering non-residents to launch and manage an EU-based company entirely online.

How the Program Works

Applicants complete an online form and submit documentation including a passport scan and motivation statement. Once approved, they receive a digital ID card which enables secure authentication and digital signatures. With this identity, e-residents can:

• Register a business within the EU.

• Open and manage business bank accounts.

• File taxes and access legal e-services.

• Sign documents and contracts remotely.

Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure makes this possible, and the government maintains partnerships with service providers to support banking, accounting, and legal needs tailored to global users.

Who Uses e-Residency?

The program has been adopted by freelancers, remote teams, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs—especially those from countries with restricted access to EU markets. It’s also a strategic tool for startups looking to establish an EU presence without the overhead of relocating or establishing physical offices.

To date, tens of thousands of individuals from over 170 countries have registered, making Estonia’s digital population one of the most globally diverse.