Paul Kelley
Acquire.com Brokerage Services
Inc. Our Ref: 22.05.2024 No 6-2/1441-1
Letter Concerning e-Residency Programme’s
continuation
To Whom It May Concern,
The Republic of Estonia is a member of the EU and NATO and one of the world’s most digitally
transformed countries. Estonia's e-Residency programme was launched in December 2014 by
the Estonian Government and is financed from the state budget. The programme allows
individuals residing outside of Estonia to apply for and obtain an e-resident digital identification
(ID) card that facilitates electronic identification and therefore enables remote/borderless access
to all Estonian business-related e-services as well as facilitates secure digital signing.
The e-Residency programme is globally recognised as the first and most expansive national
initiative of its kind. It offers foreign nationals the opportunity to acquire an Estonian
government-backed e-resident digital ID card, thereby providing access to Estonia's unique
digital society, where approximately 99% of public services are available online. This
accessibility significantly democratises cross-border entrepreneurship and fosters a global
ecosystem of startups, SMEs, sole proprietors, and digital nomads.
Estonian e-residents, through their individual digital ID cards, can establish and manage
European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) companies online, independent of
geographical location. The services associated with e-Residency are continuously evolving to
meet the needs of its global community. In addition, e-residents also benefit from the e-
Residency Virtual Marketplace, an ecosystem of various trusted business service providers
including currently over 130 international companies.
As of today, the e-resident community comprises individuals from over 180 countries world-
wide, with over 110,000 individuals having obtained e-Residency status over time. Since the
spring of 2020, Spain has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for the e-Residency
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA
Phone: +372 625 6342 / Fax: +372 631 3660 / E-mail:
[email protected] / http://www.mkm.ee
programme. The level of engagement among Spanish citizens in applying for e-residency is
among the highest worldwide, and the proportion of Spanish citizens forming Estonian
companies as e-residents remains consistently higher than in most other markets.
In spring 2022, the Republic of Estonia's Government ratified the growth strategy for the e-
Residency programme until 2025. The activities outlined in this growth strategy include market
validation in target countries, product development, and ambitious expansion efforts. The
current three primary target countries for the e-Residency programme include the UK, Spain
and Germany. Should you require further information regarding the e-Residency programme or
related matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.
With best regards,
Sandra Särav
Deputy Secretary General for Economy and Innovation
Vice Chair of the e-Residency Advisory Board
Chair of the Enterprise Estonia Board
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