If you're a non-resident looking to open a bank account in Estonia, we’ve created this guide to help you learn about the options available.
This guide at a glance:
Here is a quick summary of answers to common questions that you may have.Can I open a business bank account in Estonia as a non-resident?
Yes, but only if you have strong ties to Estonia such as owning an Estonian business or property.How do I become an e-resident?
You would have to apply online on the official website and pick up the e-residency card at the nearest embassy once your application is granted.Does e-residency guarantee a bank account?
No, but it is needed for administrative purposes once you've opened a bank account in Estonia.How much does opening a bank account cost?
It differs between banks but it may generally cost up to 500€.Can I get someone to help me?
Yes! You can contact us if you need professional help with opening your business bank account in Estonia. This way, you would feel less burdened and your application process will be smoother.Get your Estonian business bank account up and running with Open.
We know that opening a business bank account, let alone a foreign business bank account, can be a tedious process. That's why we are here to guide you from start to finish. Our team of experts can help you avoid any red-flag mistakes as they are experienced with the ins and outs of working with banking partners.Why should you open a business bank account in Estonia?
The benefits are enticing. Besides having a bank account in an economically and politically stable country, you would have access to Euro and low-cost SEPA transfers. You may also enjoy the luxury of a more advanced and remote banking system. You will find the banking process to be much easier and hassle-free compared to other European destinations. It can be done anywhere, anytime.Do you need to be an Estonian resident or e-resident?
You wouldn't need to be a resident of Estonia but an e-residency might ease the process. An e-residency is simply an ID card that lets you use government portals, sign documents and submit forms to Estonian authorities. Essentially, it's an administrative platform. However, it does not guarantee you a bank account. You would still need to submit the necessary documents to prove your business ties to Estonia.What are the top banks in Estonia suitable for entrepreneurs?
There are many Scandinavian as well as technologically advanced and trustworthy local banks that allow you to open a business bank account in Estonia. It's helpful to know what your needs are first, so that you may narrow down your options.LHV Bank
Despite having only 2 branches in Estonia i.e. Tallinn and Tartu, LHV Bank are adept at dealing with customers remotely. This is great if you're a foreigner with an e-residency as you would only ever need to step foot in the bank once. Because of the lower overhead due to being a mid-sized modern Estonian bank, you may experience cheaper and easier banking compared to other banks that may require you to deposit a larger amount. Furthermore, LHV Bank will more likely accept your application if you intend to invest in the Estonian and Baltic stock market due to its history as an investment firm with various investment options.
Swedbank
With more than 30 locations within the country, Swedbank is one of the largest banking chains in Estonia. It offers a variety of banking products including debit and credit cards, mortgages, private loans, investment schemes, pension schemes and many more. To ensure a smooth business bank account opening as a non-resident, you would need to book an appointment and pay a fee for due diligence measures.SEB Bank
This is the second-largest bank in Estonia after Swedbank with 22 branches and more than 230 ATMs. You can open a business bank account remotely with SEB Bank and choose an appropriate plan tailored to your business. The banking plans may come with low monthly fees, a set number of free electronic payments, free standard payment orders and zero-maintenance fees debit cards.Nordea Bank
Nordea is known for being one of the strongest, prestigious and secure international banks in Europe that offers house, vehicle and personal loans. You can easily manage your account online and make quick transfers both within Estonia and internationally. If you have a personal account with Nordea or any Finnish bank, you can open a business bank account online without going to a branch.Danske Bank
Despite having fewer branches within Estonia, Danske Bank is rather popular in Scandinavia and Baltic countries. Besides the full banking service available, it also provides investing and risk management services plus investment and working capital loans. Moreover, you may take advantage of its e-banking services which are available 24 hours a day. To open a business bank account as a non-resident, you would need to send a completed and signed application form along with the required documents.Don’t know which bank you’re looking for? Don’t worry, Open has got you covered.
Fill out a free questionnaire on our website and we’ll help you pick the perfect bank for your business needs.What documents do you need to open a business bank account in Estonia?
The exact set of documents may vary from bank to bank but the following is the minimum set of required documents.
Corporate documents:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum of Association and Articles
- Directors register
- Shareholders register
- Power of attorney to open an account
- Financial statements or a business plan
- Passport
- Selfie with passport
- Proof of address
In some cases, you may also be required to submit additional documents such as a CV, a business plan, bank references, bank statement, contracts/invoices with partners, proof of business connection to Estonia, etc.
If you are opening an Estonian bank account with us, we will provide you with a full list of documents needed so you may be well-prepared in dealing with a foreign bank.
What is the step-by-step process?
Here's the big picture of the process so you may know what to expect.- Make an application. Certain banks would allow you to apply online while others would require an appointment first, be it physically or virtually.
- Wait five days after submitting your application. You will be informed of the decision on your application via email or phone call.
- If your application is approved, you may need to visit the bank. This is for face-to-face identification and signing the client agreement to open your business bank account.
If your application is rejected, you're welcome to try again but perhaps with a different bank. You may also need to consider getting professional help to eliminate any mistakes in your application that you might have unknowingly done.
Getting professional help from Open has never been easier. After filling up a questionnaire, you will get on a 15-minute consultation session with our financial advisor to better understand your needs.
Here are some questions that we may ask you:
- Why do you need a UK/EU business bank account?
- What currencies do you need?
- What’s the size and nature of your business?
- What’s the expected volume of transactions per month?
- What’s your annual turnover?
Moving forward, you would need to hand in the required documents so we may assess your application and suggest a selection of banking solutions that fit your company profile and business needs. We will then submit your application to your preferred banking institution. Once your business bank account is open, enjoy the freedom of business without borders.
What is the cost of opening a business bank account in Estonia?
Each bank has a different fee structure. If you're opening an account in SEB Bank, for example, it would be 100€ for EU citizens and up to 400€ for non-EU citizens. For LHV Bank, the cost of opening a business bank account would be up to 500€.Be sure that you also take note of what other fees may be required such as monthly account fees, ATM fees and international transfer fees.
Other things to note about opening a business bank account in Estonia
While opening a business bank account in Estonia has many advantages, there may also be setbacks that you may want to take into account. You may find that European saving accounts generally have low interest rates, even negative ones. Furthermore, account fees are usually higher for non-residents i.e. within the range of €2 to €10 a month. For any types of deposits, small or large, you may need to provide evidence of the source of funds. By the law of your country of residence, you might also be required to notify tax authorities of any foreign accounts and report any activities on the accounts.Common mistakes to avoid when opening a business bank account
One misstep may set you back to square one. So it’s better to avoid these common mistakes when opening a business bank account so that you don’t waste your money and time:- Not choosing the right bank — different banks would have a different set of terms and products that may or may not be a good fit for your business. Make sure that you choose a bank that would benefit your business the most.
- Missing information during the application process — before you apply, triple check on the documents that are needed and be sure to complete the application form. Carelessness, even though unintentional, may cost you the opportunity.
- Not understanding your chosen bank — as a potential client, it's your job to make the bank trust you enough that they are comfortable to serve your needs. Be sure to learn what they like or dislike and the right strategies needed to gain their trust.
If you’re worried about making these mistakes, we can help you.
Take advantage of our win-win guarantee, where you either open a business bank account, or you don’t pay us anything at all.
Fill out our questionnaire to get started.