äriühing

äriühing is the Estonian term for a business entity or company, a legal person created to carry out commercial activities. An äriühing can own property, enter into contracts, sue and be sued, and is distinct from its owners.

In Estonia, the main forms of äriühing are osaühing (OÜ) and aktsiaselts (AS). An OÜ is a private limited company where liability is limited to the contributed capital and ownership is held by shareholders. An AS is a public limited company whose capital is divided into shares that may be offered to the public, typically used for larger enterprises. Both forms require a recognized governance structure and registration with the national business register (äriregister).

Governance typically differs by form. An OÜ is managed by a management board. An AS is managed by a management board and may also have a supervisory board, depending on its size and articles of association. In both cases, the company has a legal obligation to act within its stated scope of business and to comply with corporate formalities.

Establishing an äriühing involves drawing up the articles of association, defining the business scope, and registering with the business register. The term is used across legal, administrative, and commercial contexts to refer to any commercial entity, regardless of its specific legal form. In international contexts, äriühing is typically translated as company or corporation.