Business Register (äriregister)
What the Estonian Business Register (äriregister) is: the public register of companies, who keeps it, what it shows, and what a company files there.
Law as of 30 Sept 2026. General information, not advice for your situation.
The Business Register (äriregister, in law the commercial register) is the Estonian state register of companies. It holds the data of every legal person in private law founded under Estonian law, such as an OÜ, and of sole proprietors and the branches of foreign companies that work in Estonia (Commercial Register Act § 2 and § 3). Anyone can look up a company's registry card and public file. A company founds itself, changes its data and files its annual report through the e-Business Register (e-äriregister).
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who keeps it | The registration department of Tartu District Court, by electronic means | Commercial Register Act § 5 |
| The web portal | The e-Business Register, for petitions and for public data | § 2 (2); ariregister.rik.ee |
| Registry code | Each company gets a unique registry code, which stays the same when the company changes its legal form | § 22 |
| Public access | Everyone may see the registry card and the public file | § 30 |
| State fee to register an OÜ | 200 euros, or 265 euros in the expedited procedure | State Fees Act § 62 (2) |
| Annual report | Filed within 6 months of the end of the financial year | Commercial Code § 179 (4) |
When an entry takes effect
An entry has legal effect from the moment its data are published in the electronic register. A third person may rely on an entry as correct, unless the company proves that the person knew it was wrong (Commercial Register Act § 29). So keep the board members, the address and the contact details up to date: a fact the register does not show binds a third person only if that person knew it.
What a company files there
- The founding of the company, and later changes: board members, address, articles, share capital. The guide Founding an OÜ covers the first entry.
- A contact person, when the company's address is abroad (Commercial Register Act § 24 (2)). See e-Residency, address and contact person.
- The annual report, every year, even with no activity. See the annual report and RIK's page on it.
General information, not advice for your situation. The law as in force on 30.09.2026.
Sources
Related pages
- OÜ (osaühing)
What an OÜ (osaühing) is: the Estonian private limited company, with shares, limited liability, a share capital from one cent and a management board.
- Founding an OÜ in Estonia: capital, articles, name, fees and first steps
How to found an Estonian private limited company (OÜ): the share capital and how it is paid in, the articles of association, the state fees online and at a notary, the business name, the EMTAK activity codes and licences, a company as founder, holding or direct ownership, the first weeks after registration, and the risks of a shelf company.
- e-Residency and your Estonian company: what it gives, the legal address and the contact person
What Estonian e-Residency lets a foreign founder do and what it does not give, what happens when the card expires, when an OÜ needs a contact person, a legal address abroad or at a virtual office, how documents are served by e-mail, how to choose a service provider, and why e-Residency does not make you tax resident.
- The annual report and the audit of an Estonian OÜ
When an Estonian OÜ files its annual report, what a micro or small company puts in it, who signs and approves it, late filing fines, and the audit thresholds.
- The annual report of an Estonian OÜ: who files it, when and how
An Estonian OÜ files its annual report within six months of the year end, 30 June for most. Who prepares, signs, approves and files it, and late fines.
Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026. Law as of 30 Sept 2026. General information, not advice for your situation.