Estonian foreign representations accept requests for e-resident digital identification cards

  • 2015-04-04
  • TBT Staff and newswires

Starting April 1, Estonian foreign representations, including their consulates and embassies, shall be accepting applications to obtain e-resident digital identification cards, the Estonian Foreign Ministry press department announces.
Though the programme has been slow to take off — in spite of its active promotion by Edward Lucas, senior editor at The Economist, who was awarded the first residency permit in December — e-residency is a programme that gives anyone living in foreign countries similar opportunities to residents of Estonia to take advantage of Estonia’s e-government services.

While staying in any part of the world, the Estonian ID card allows you to sign documents in minutes, set up a company in an hour, make bank transfers in seconds, participate actively in the management of a company registered in Estonia and declare your taxes with a few clicks of a mouse. An e-resident’s digital ID provides foreigners with the opportunity to do business digitally, regardless of location.

In order to apply for an e-resident digital identification card, one must contact the nearest Estonian foreign representation and submit an application, the applicant’s valid identity document; colour photo, a written explanation in free form and state fee for processing the application (80 euros).

The application along with the necessary documents shall be forwarded to the Police and Border Guard Board. Additional information: http://vm.ee/en/estonian-e-residency-how-apply

Although initially future e-residents must visit the foreign representation twice, applying for e-residency will soon become significantly easier. In May, a virtual environment will be opened where you can submit applications for e-resident digital ID cards. Applicants must thereafter only visit an Estonian foreign representation once, in order to receive their ID document.