Buy an Existing Estonian Company (OÜ)

Starting a Company

February 3, 2026

by Capture

Why Buy an Existing Estonian Company Instead of Incorporating a New One?

If you’re setting up a business in Estonia as an e-resident or foreign founder, the default path is usually straightforward: Incorporate a new Estonian company (OÜ) today.

But depending on your goals, there’s another option that can be surprisingly useful: Buying an existing Estonian company that was registered months ago.

At Capture.ee, we have a limited selection of pre-registered Estonian companies from 2025 available. These are currently registered as general partnerships, and when you place your order, we convert them into a private limited company (OÜ) and can also change the company name to match your brand.

This gives you a practical advantage: Your company doesn’t look brand-new.

What does “existing Estonian company” mean in this context?

In our case, the available entities are general partnerships registered in 2025. During the ordering process, they are converted into an OÜ—the standard company type used by most e-residents and international founders.

If you want, we can also change the name, so you can operate under your chosen brand.

In short, you get the benefit of an older registration date, while ending up with the OÜ structure most entrepreneurs actually need.

Key benefits of buying an existing Estonian company

1) A more credible “company age”

Many newly formed e-resident companies are incorporated today. That’s completely normal—but in some situations, a business that has been registered for months can feel more established.

For example, when dealing with:

new suppliers or B2B partners
marketplaces and platforms
service providers that screen new entities

An older registration date can reduce the “brand-new company” effect and may help you appear more credible from day one.

2) Less friction when onboarding with partners

Some counterparties take extra time with newly formed companies (additional checks, more questions, slower approvals). A company that isn’t fresh can sometimes make early onboarding smoother.

(Important note: it’s not guaranteed—each provider has their own rules—but it can help.)

3) You still get an OÜ

Even though the entity starts as a general partnership, the end result is still what most founders want: A private limited company (OÜ).

4) Name change is possible

Buying an existing company doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a random name. As part of the process, we can update the company name to align with your brand and website.

Who should consider this option?

Buying an existing Estonian company can be a good fit if you:

want your company to look more established than a same-day incorporation
are onboarding with partners who scrutinize newly formed companies
want to launch quickly with a specific company name
are an e-resident founder who prefers an OÜ but wants an older registration date

If your priority is simply the cheapest and simplest start, incorporating a new OÜ may still be the best choice.

How the process works with Capture

Once you choose an available company, we handle the preparation and guide you through each step:

selecting the company (limited availability)
converting it into an OÜ during the order process
changing the company name (optional)
collecting the required information and completing verification
preparing filings and sending you clear instructions for signing and submission

If you also need an Estonian business address or contact person service, we can include that as well.

A quick transparency note

Estonia’s registry is transparent, and the goal is to provide founders with a legitimate option that can reduce friction when starting international operations.

You’ll still need to operate your business compliantly (accounting, tax, AML, where applicable), just like with any other company.