Quick answer: The core Estonian model is intact. Retained profit is still taxed at 0%, and distributed profit at 22/78. The headline rate rises that were legislated for 2026 were cancelled. The one real rate increase of the period is VAT, which went from 22% to 24% on 1 July 2025 and is now permanent.
The 2026–2027 changes are mostly about reporting and digitalisation: data-based payroll reporting from October 2026, data-based VAT reporting planned from April 2027, and a possible B2B e-invoicing mandate. The 2027 parliamentary elections are the main source of uncertainty.
Estonia Tax and Legal Updates 2025–2026 Timeline at a glance
| Date | Change | Status |
| 1 Jan 2025 | Income tax and corporate income tax up from 20% to 22%. The reduced 14% rate is abolished, and the bank levy rises to 18%. | In force (EY) |
| 1 Jul 2025 | Standard VAT up from 22% to 24% and made permanent. | In force |
| 1 Jul 2025 | Buyers registered as e-invoice recipients can require e-invoices from suppliers. | In force (European Commission) |
| 19 Jun 2025 | Parliament abolishes the security tax package, including the planned 2% tax on company profits. | Done |
| 3 Dec 2025 | Parliament cancels the planned rise of income tax and corporate income tax to 24%. Rates stay at 22%. | Done (EY Global Tax News) |
| 1 Jan 2026 | The income-dependent “tax hump” is replaced by a flat €8,400 annual tax-free allowance. | In force |
| 1 Oct 2026 | Data-based TSD payroll reporting starts. | In force |
| 1 Jan 2027 | e-Residency state fee becomes a flat €165. | Scheduled (e-Residency) |
| 1 Apr 2027 | Data-based VAT reporting expected. | Planned (Fiscal Solutions) |
2025: the rate increases
Both personal and corporate income tax rose from 20% to 22% on 1 January 2025. The reduced 14% corporate rate was abolished the same day, and the bank levy went from 14% to 18%. The same package increased land tax and introduced a motor vehicle tax (EY). Parliament later eased the motor vehicle tax for families with children and minibus owners, with relief applied retroactively from the start of 2025 (KPMG Estonia).
On 1 July 2025 the standard VAT rate rose from 22% to 24%. It was originally set as a temporary measure until the end of 2028, but the government made it permanent .
2025–2026: the “security tax” saga
This is the point most older articles still get wrong. The 2024 defence package planned a 2% annual tax on company profits and a 2% security tax on personal income from 2026 to 2028. It then went through two reversals:
- June 2025: Parliament abolished the security tax package, including the 2% profit tax. In its place, the government proposed a permanent rise of income tax and corporate income tax to 24% from 2026.
- December 2025: Parliament dropped that 24% increase as well. Both rates stay at 22% (EY Global Tax News).
What remains in force for 2026:
- Retained profits: 0% corporate tax.
- Distributed profits: 22% on the gross amount, calculated as 22/78 of the net payout.
- Personal income tax: flat 22%.
- VAT: 24%.
The Estonian government’s own e-Residency programme states that no corporate tax increases are planned for 2026 or 2027 (e-Residency).
2026: what actually changed
A flat tax-free allowance. From 1 January 2026 every resident gets €700 per month (€8,400 per year) regardless of income, replacing the old sliding allowance that high earners lost entirely. Pensioners get a higher figure of €9,312 per year (EY Global Tax News). The first return under the new rules is filed from 15 February 2027. For employers, the practical effect is a change in payroll costs, not in the tax rate.
Treaty change. Estonia is terminating its double tax treaty with Belarus, which can lead to double taxation of income earned in both countries (EY Global Tax News).
Data-based TSD reporting (from 1 October 2026). Companies can now send transaction-level payroll data to the Tax and Customs Board (ETCB), which builds the declaration from it.
The key points are:
- The monthly deadline stays at the 10th.
- Annexes 1 and 2 are replaced by a single consolidated view in e-MTA.
- The old XML format is no longer accepted and is replaced by an XBRL GL-based format.
- CSV remains supported as a transition option until the end of 2027.
- Manual entry in e-MTA remains available.
- Annexes 3–8 are unchanged for now.
If you upload XML today, this is the group that needs to act first.
Beneficial owner data. The Business Register changed its terms for query systems from 10 July 2026 because access rights to the beneficial owner’s database changed (Estonian e-Business Register). Owner filings are still confirmed annually with the annual report, due 30 June for calendar-year companies.
What to expect in Estonia in 2027: Tax and Legal
Confirmed or scheduled
- e-Residency fee: from 1 January 2027 the state fee is a flat €165, the same for new applications, renewals and replacements, and whether you collect the card in Estonia or at an embassy. The programme is also moving toward a cardless, mobile e-Residency (e-Residency).
- TSD CSV phase-out: the temporary CSV support ends after 2027, so payroll integrations should be modernised during 2027.
- Gambling tax: the rate falls gradually from 6% to 4% between 2027 and 2029 (KPMG Estonia).
- Municipal funding: local government funding is being restructured from 1 January 2027 (ERR via UA.News).
Planned, not yet final
- Data-based VAT reporting from 1 April 2027, which the ETCB is preparing.
- Mandatory B2B e-invoicing. The Ministry of Finance proposed making e-invoicing mandatory for VAT-registered B2B transactions and abolishing the €1,000 threshold for transaction reporting, with 2027 as the target (Thomson Reuters/Pagero). As of September 2026, the framework is still buyer’s choice and no general mandate is in force. Treat the 2027 date as an expectation.
- Excise duties. The draft 2027 budget includes an excise increase on 1 May 2027. The opposition is pushing to cut or postpone it, and a similar increase was postponed this year (ERR via UA.News).
Political uncertainty. The minority government needs opposition votes to pass the 2027 budget. The Centre Party is asking for lower VAT on food, and Isamaa for lower excise duties and VAT on gas. The Social Democrats plan to decide on support in November or December. If the budget fails, the next government, formed after the March 2027 elections, would draft it (ERR via UA.News).
The Prime Minister had earlier promised tax stability until those elections (Government of Estonia). Estonia has reversed tax plans twice in 18 months, so treat any post-election rate change as a risk, not a forecast.
What this means in practice
- Company owners and e-residents: the 0% retained profit model is unchanged. Update financial models that still assume 24% or a 2% profit tax, and budget €165 for e-Residency card applications and renewals from 2027.
- Employers: confirm now that your payroll software supports the new TSD data format. Move off XML first, then plan to leave CSV before the end of 2027.
- VAT-registered businesses: plan for monthly VAT reporting to become data-based and for B2B e-invoicing to become mandatory. Check that your accounting software can produce EN 16931-compliant invoices.
- Cross-border groups: review any structure touching Belarus given the treaty termination.
How Helvetios Can Help Your Business Stay Compliant in Estonia
Keeping up with Estonia’s tax and legal updates is easier when you have the right support. For international entrepreneurs, the challenge is not just understanding new rules, but knowing how they affect daily operations, reporting obligations, and long-term business plans.
Helvetios helps international entrepreneurs establish and manage companies in Estonia, offering guidance on company setup, accounting, tax compliance, and ongoing administrative requirements.
Depending on your business needs, our team can help with:
- Company setup and ongoing support: Guidance on establishing an Estonian company and understanding the requirements that apply to your business.
- Accounting and tax compliance: Support with bookkeeping, tax reporting, VAT obligations, and the administrative tasks involved in running an Estonian company.
- VAT and OSS: Assistance with VAT compliance and the One Stop Shop scheme for businesses selling goods or services to customers across the EU.
- Banking and payment solutions: Guidance on choosing suitable banking or fintech options for your business, including assistance with account applications and proof-of-address documentation for banks and fintech providers.
- Ongoing compliance: Help understanding your company’s reporting responsibilities and identifying the practical steps needed to keep your business records and processes up to date.
With changes to payroll reporting already underway and further digitalisation expected in 2027, reviewing your accounting and reporting processes now can help reduce administrative friction later.
Not sure how these changes affect your Estonian company? Contact Helvetios to discuss your situation and get guidance tailored to your business model and international operations.
