Most Estonian business address providers look alike on paper. The address is in Tallinn, the price is per year, and signing up takes a few minutes. The differences show up later, when an official letter arrives with a deadline or a contact person entry runs out. These are the things worth checking before choosing an Estonian business address provider.
The license
A company whose legal address is abroad must have a contact person in Estonia (Commercial Register Act, § 24 (2)). In that case only a notary, an advocate, a sworn auditor, a tax representative or a licensed trust and company service provider can take the role (§ 24 (4)). A provider offering contact person services should hold an FIU license. To check it, search the Register of Economic Activities (MTR) under trust and company service providers: the provider’s name and license number must appear there.
Mail handling
Documents served on the contact person count as served on the company (§ 24 (7)). Letters from the registrar or the Tax and Customs Board often carry a deadline. A provider that scans mail a week late, or only on request, can cost the company that deadline. The plan terms should say how many letters are included and how quickly they are scanned and forwarded.
The contact person’s term
A contact person is entered in the Business Register for a fixed term (§ 24 (6)). When the term ends and no extension has been notified, the entry is removed automatically. For a company with its address abroad, that leaves it without the contact person the law requires. A good provider tracks the term and arranges the extension before it runs out.
Checks on new clients
A licensed provider has to identify every client and review the business before the service starts. A provider that activates an address within minutes, with no identity check, is skipping a legal duty. Our article on KYC for address services covers what a proper check looks like.
Insurance
Professional indemnity insurance is not required for this work. It does show whether a provider stands behind its mistakes, and it is a fair question to ask before signing.
Capture
Capture is a licensed trust and company service provider, FIU license FIU000432, insured at Lloyd’s for up to one million euros. Every client goes through identity verification with a liveness check before activation. On the Standard plan, €320 a year, we act as the company’s licensed contact person and scan official letters within seven days, up to five a month. The plan covers an OÜ with up to two people across shareholders and board members. All plans are on legal address and contact person.
