e-Residency is a programme of the Republic of Estonia that gives entrepreneurs who do not live in Estonia a government-issued digital identity. Estonia started it in 2014. The identity comes as a personal digital ID card, which lets its holder authenticate online and sign documents with electronic signatures.
The steps are: apply online and pay the state fee, wait for an identity check (about 30 days) and card delivery (2 to 5 weeks), then collect the card at the pickup location chosen in the application. With the card, the holder registers a company, usually a private limited company (OÜ, osaühing), in the e-Business Register in 15 minutes to one hour. Every company must have a legal address or contact person in Estonia from a licensed service provider. Banking, accounting and tax advice also come from private service providers. e-Residency does not change the holder's personal tax residency.
It is a government service paid through one-time state fees, with yearly costs for the required service providers.