e-Residency
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a to z of e-Residency (r to z)
Maya Middlemiss
R is for Remote management, U is for Unicorns, W is for World Records: Explore e-Residency from R to Z
Welcome to our blog series exploring the A to Z of e-Residency — the world’s first digital residency programme for entrepreneurs, powered by Estonia. This three-part series dives into everything you need to know about e-Residency, from its foundational concepts to the unique opportunities it unlocks for entrepreneurs around the globe. Whether you’re a freelancer, a startup founder, or a seasoned business leader, e-Residency offers a transformative way to manage your business 100% online from anywhere in the world.
Part 3 covers R to Z, highlighting Remote management, robust Security, and Estonia’s Trust-based digital governance. We’ll explore the rise of Unicorns, World Records and the innovative X-Road and explain how e-residents can get help running their business with Virtual Office Services. Plus, learn how e-Residency keeps You connected, even via Zoom.
A to Z of e-Residency (R to Z)
In case you missed them, read Part 1 (A to H) and catch up on Part 2 (I to Q).
Remote management
Estonian e-Residency enables seamless remote management of your business from anywhere in the world. With Estonia’s digital infrastructure, e-residents can run their companies online, from signing documents to managing accounts, and filing Estonian taxes. This flexibility allows you to keep your business operations going smoothly, no matter where you’re located. The digital tools and e-services provided ensure that essential tasks are just a few clicks away, making it ideal for entrepreneurs who value mobility and want to maintain full control over their business without geographic limitations.
Security
Security is a cornerstone of e-Estonia, ensuring that your e-resident digital identity and business data remain protected. The programme uses advanced encryption, blockchain-based technologies like Keyless Signature Infrastructure (KSI), and secure digital ID cards with public-private key cryptography. These measures enable e-residents to sign documents and authenticate themselves safely online, providing a high level of trust and preventing unauthorised access. Estonia’s digital infrastructure has been rigorously tested for decades, setting a global standard for secure e-governance. This robust security framework gives entrepreneurs peace of mind when managing business operations remotely.
Trust
Trust is fundamental to the Estonian e-Residency programme, which ensures secure and transparent digital services for global entrepreneurs. Estonia’s robust legal framework gives Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) the same validity as handwritten signatures across the EU, and deploys Keyless Signature Infrastructure (KSI), to safeguard data integrity. With a decades-long track record in digital governance, Estonia has built a reputation as a trusted partner for digital business, providing e-residents with a reliable foundation for cross-border operations. Furthermore, the vetting of the Estonian Police and Border Guard ensures trust between the members of the e-Residency community.
Unicorns
Estonia is a leader in Unicorns per capita, with about 7.7 unicorns for every million people. That’s because this small country has produced ten Unicorns to date, including well-known companies like Skype, Wise, Bolt, and Pipedrive, as well as e-resident-founded Glia. Estonia’s success stems from a supportive startup ecosystem that encourages global thinking and innovation, even from its modest domestic market. In 2023, Estonia’s startups continued to attract significant investments, with growing sectors such as Fintech and AI leading the charge. This dynamic environment makes Estonia a hub for billion-dollar companies in Europe.
e-Residency is the secret behind Estonia´s 10th unicorn
The CEO of Glia, Estonia’s 10th unicorn, attributes their success to e-Residency, which allows the company to be run remotely from anywhere
Virtual Office Services
Providers in the e-Residency Marketplace offer virtual office services that allow e-residents to establish a legal business presence in Estonia without being physically located there. These services provide a registered business address, mail handling, and support with services like accountancy, ensuring entrepreneurs meet local compliance requirements. Virtual offices enable businesses to operate flexibly and cost-effectively while maintaining a professional image. For e-residents, this solution is essential for setting up an EU-based company, accessing banking services, and managing legal obligations from anywhere in the world.
World Record
The world record for the fastest company incorporation was set in June 2022 by Estonian e-resident Dominik Panosch. On the main stage at London Tech Week, Panosch established a fully operational Estonian company in just 15 minutes and 33 seconds. This record-breaking feat highlights the speed and efficiency of Estonia’s digital business environment, enabled by e-Residency and the country’s advanced online infrastructure. The achievement surpassed Estonia’s previous record of 18 minutes, showcasing the ease with which entrepreneurs can start and manage businesses digitally.
X-Road
X-Road is the backbone of Estonia’s digital infrastructure, allowing different organisations and information systems to securely exchange data and function interoperably. This decentralised platform enables e-services to work seamlessly, providing fast and reliable digital transactions for both Estonians and e-residents. X-Road uses advanced encryption and blockchain technology to ensure data integrity and privacy, making it crucial for services like digital identity verification, e-health, and online business management. For e-residents, X-Road facilitates access to Estonia’s public services from anywhere in the world, enabling secure and efficient business operations across borders.
You
You are at the heart of Estonian e-Residency. As an e-resident, you gain the power to establish and run an EU-based business entirely online, no matter where you are. E-Residency puts you in control and offers freedom to set up any number of companies, access global markets, and manage your business digitally. With Estonia’s innovative digital tools, you can easily sign documents, handle compliance, and grow your venture. E-Residency is more than a tool for company formation—it’s a gateway to new possibilities tailored for your entrepreneurial journey, a journey as unique as you are.
What will YOU do with e-Residency?
Apply for e-Residency
Zoom
Even though Estonian unicorn Skype revolutionised remote collaboration first, “Zoom” has become the verb for virtual meetings today. E-resident entrepreneurs can join webinars and workshops from anywhere in the world, connecting with a global community of business innovation. Whether it’s learning about the latest in digital business or accessing valuable resources, e-Residency’s resources are just a click away. The programme’s digital tools enable seamless online collaboration, so you can run your business, network, and Zoom in to the next e-Residency webinar or live Q&A—wherever you are operating your location-independent business from today.
Join our next Live Q&A
Live Q&A with the e-Residency Team – Ask us Anything!
- Jan 15
- 15:00 – 16:00 UTC+2
- Online
Join us for our monthly e-Residency Live Q&A with our team & special guests answering questions about e-Residency & starting a company in Estonia.
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