Ettevõtet

Ettevõtet is the Estonian term for a business enterprise that engages in economic activity with the aim of producing goods or providing services and generating profit. The word is used broadly to cover a range of organizational forms, from individual entrepreneurship to legally established companies. In practice, a single business activity may be carried out by different kinds of entities, depending on liability, financing, and regulatory requirements.

Common legal forms in Estonia include osaühing (OÜ), a private limited company; aktsiaselts (AS), a public limited company; and füüsilisest isikust ettevõtja (FIE), a sole proprietor. Non-profit and other organizations operate under forms such as mittetulundusühing (MTÜ). Each form determines liability, governance structures, and capital requirements, influencing how ownership is held, how profits are distributed, and how the entity is taxed.

Establishing an ettevõte typically involves registration with the Estonian Business Register, including information about founders, intended activities, and, where applicable, share capital and articles of association. OÜs are usually managed by a management board, while AS may have a supervisory board. Companies are required to maintain accounting records, prepare annual reports, and comply with tax obligations, including value-added tax and corporate taxes on profits.

Estonian enterprises operate within a highly digital economy. The country offers e-services for company administration and supports cross-border trade within the European Union. Initiatives such as e-residency facilitate overseas founders in establishing and managing a business online, contributing to Estonia’s reputation for a transparent and efficient regulatory environment.