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Private limited company

minimum capital of 1 euro cent

the smallest share of one shareholder is 0.01 euros.

founders may be natural or legal persons

the memorandum and articles of association are necessary for the establishment and are replaced by the standard articles of association in the e-Business Register

there must be a management board

the requirement to submit the annual report

Sole trader

offers goods or services for a charge in its name

Place of business is in Estonia

no capital requirement

there is no need for the memorandum and articles of association

is responsible for liabilities with all of its assets

the possibility of temporary suspension or seasonal or temporary operation

no requirement to submit the annual report

Non-profit association

a voluntary association of persons, the objective or main activity of which shall not be the earning of income from economic activity

operates only to achieve the objectives specified in its articles of association

founders may be both natural and legal persons and there must be at least two of them

the highest body is the general meeting of its members

there must be a management board

the requirement to submit the annual report

non-profit associations also include artistic associations and religious associations

General partnership

at least two partners, who are solidarily liable for the obligations with all of their assets

partners may be natural or legal persons

shall operate on the basis of a partnership agreement, which also determines the amount of the contributions of the partners

the general partner has an obligation to participate in the management

no requirement to submit an annual report unless the general partner is a public limited company, private limited company, commercial association or non-profit association

Limited partnership

at least two partners, where the general partner is liable with all its assets and the limited partner is liable to the extent of the amounts of its contribution

partners may be natural or legal persons

shall operate on the basis of a partnership agreement, which also determines the amount of the contributions of the partners

a limited partner shall not have the right to manage or represent the limited partnership, unless the partnership agreement prescribes otherwise

no requirement to submit an annual report unless the general partner is a public limited company, private limited company, commercial association or non-profit association

Land improvement association

to jointly undertake management work

members are the owners of one or several complete land improvement systems or voluntary members who benefit from the activity

in addition to joint management work, the land improvement association may engage in activities emanating from the public interest in the functioning of the land improvement system or from the members’ common interest

the highest body is the general meeting of its members

there must be a management board

the requirement to submit the annual report

Branch of a foreign company

shall be entered in the register if a foreign company wishes to offer goods or services in Estonia on a permanent basis in its own name

the foreign company is liable for the obligations arising from the activities of the branch

a director directs and represents the branch and organises the accounting of the branch

Political party

a voluntary association of persons, the objective or main activity of which shall not be the earning of income from economic activity

operates only to achieve the objectives specified in its articles of association

founders may be both natural and legal persons and there must be at least two of them

the highest body is the general meeting of its members

there must be a management board

the requirement to submit the annual report

Trade union

a voluntary association of persons, the objective or main activity of which shall not be the earning of income from economic activity

operates only to achieve the objectives specified in its articles of association

founders may be both natural and legal persons and there must be at least two of them

the highest body is the general meeting of its members

there must be a management board

the requirement to submit the annual report

Establishment of a state and local government authority

Agency of the Executive or other state institution

authorities of executive power are governmental authorities and state authorities administered by governmental authorities

governmental authorities are authorities which are financed from the state budget and the main function of which is to exercise executive power

state authorities are authorities that are financed from the state budget, the principal function of which is not to exercise executive power, and which may be administered by governmental authorities, unless provided by law

Legal person in public law, constitutional institution or their agency

the state, local governments and other legal persons founded in the public interest and pursuant to an Act concerning such legal person are legal persons in public law

the constitutional institutions are the parliament of Estonia (Riigikogu), the President of the Republic, the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank), the National Audit Office, the Chancellor of Justice and the Supreme Court

Agency of local authority

a local government authority is an authority belonging to a membership of a rural municipality or city

the principal task of rural municipality and city authorities is to exercise public power

the principal task of the institutions managed by the rural municipality or city authorities is to provide public services at the local level

Legal persons established by a notary

Public limited company

minimum capital of EUR 25,000

shareholders are not personally liable

shares must be registered

founders may be natural or legal persons

a memorandum and articles of association are necessary for establishment

the general meeting of shareholders is the highest managing body

there must be a management board and supervisory board

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

Commercial co-operative

the purpose is to support the financial interests of the members

members usually do not have a personal proprietary liability

if the members have no personal liability, the minimum capital shall be EUR 2500

founders may be both natural and legal persons and there must be at least two of them

a memorandum and articles of association are necessary for establishment

the highest body is the general meeting

there must be a management board, in some cases a supervisory board

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

Foundation

to manage assets and achieve statutory objectives

revenues may only be used to achieve the objectives specified in its articles of association

founders may be natural or legal persons

there must be a management board and supervisory board

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG)

the purpose is to facilitate and develop the economic activities of its member undertakings

the purpose of the activities shall not be to make profits for itself

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

the provisions of law concerning general partnerships apply to groupings

European Company (SE)

a type of public limited company that allows you to run your business in different European countries using a single set of rules

minimum capital of EUR 120,000

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

the provisions of law concerning public limited company apply to European company

European Cooperative Society

the aim is to develop the economic and social activities of its members

minimum capital of EUR 30,000

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

the provisions of law concerning public limited company apply to the society

European grouping of territorial cooperation

the objective shall be to facilitate and promote cross-border, transnational and/or interregional cooperation with the exclusive aim of strengthening economic and social cohesion

there is a requirement to submit an annual report

the provisions of the Commercial Associations Act apply to the grouping

Other

Trust

a legal relationship established on the basis of the law of the country recognising it

trust property formed by a settlor is administered by a trustee

a trustee provides the data of beneficial owners