Estonia OÜ vs AS
Legal Entity Comparison
Time of Update: 2026-04-10
"OÜ" is a legal entity form in Estonia, the full name is Osaühing, which means "limited liability company". It is a form of merged ownership company, and the shareholders' liability is limited to their capital contribution, with the characteristic of limited liability. OÜ does not need to participate in the market publicly, nor does it need to appoint directors, only requiring a minimum of one shareholder. In addition, OÜ also does not need to appoint a legal representative or local person as a director, and does not require a company secretary. The minimum registered capital starts from 1500 euros, but no verification is required. However, within 10 years of the company's establishment, shareholders need to actually pay 100% of the registered capital, and if the capital injection exceeds 25,000 euros, 100% of the registered capital must be paid immediately after registration.
Estonia Legal Entity Comparison
Estonia Legal Entity Comparison
Basic Information
OÜ
AS
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Positive
Shareholder / Director / Secretary Requirements
OÜ
AS
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one shareholder
Requirements For Shareholders:
One or more
Requirements For Directors ::
N/A
Requirements For Directors ::
At least one
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
See Memo
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Negative
Registered Capital Requirement
OÜ
AS
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. Starting from 1500 euros.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
25,000 euros
Capital Injection Not Required:
See Memo
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Requirement:
- Registered Capital must be paid before incorporation.
- TKEG Expat helps clients register Estonian OU company with an initial registered capital of 1 EUR. After incorporation, the registered capital can be increased.
Capital Injection Requirement:
N/A
Memo
OÜ
AS
Memo:
Estonia recently lifted up the requirement for local contact person. However, new rule imposes a mandatory mailbox service.
Memo:
N/A
EE
Estonia
CI - Company Incorporation
Estonian OU Company Incorporation
From EUR 1,525.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
EE - Estonia
Learn More
