Mergers and Acquisitions in Estonia

The Estonian Commercial Code which is the main legislation regarding mergers and acquisitions allows for company reorganization between domestic companies or a local and a foreign company, also called cross-border mergers or acquisitions. As a member state of the European Union, cross-border mergers and acquisitions in Estonia benefit from fiscal neutrality.

 

 

According to the Commercial law, Estonian companies must follow the next steps in order to conclude a merger and acquisition transaction:

 

The first step when convening an M&A transaction in Estonia is to make a merger plan. The merger plan will usually contain the same provisions no matter the type of transaction, except for transnational transactions that must contain specifics about how the assets and liabilities were evaluated and information about the effects of the transaction on the creditors and employees. The decision of concluding a merger must be approved by two thirds of all the participants in the meeting. The employees must also be notified by a directors’ report 30 days prior to the shareholders’ meeting. Cross-border mergers must be published in the Official Gazette 30 days prior to the shareholders’ meeting. It is also required to be specified that independent experts will verify the fairness of the M&A transaction. The legislation also offers shareholders that do not agree with the merger the possibility of withdrawing and redemption of their shares from the Estonian company. The procedure will be concluded once the merger deed has been drafted and notarized. The merger deed will then be submitted with the Estonian Companies Register.

 

Apart from guiding investors who are interested in M&A activities in the country, our lawyers can also provide guidance on residency in Estonia. If you wish to apply for a temporary residence permit for business, or have questions about your right to enter and remain in the country based on nationality (with or without your family members), you can discuss these matters with our team.

 

For detailed information about the legislation on mergers and acquisitions you can contact our law firm in Estonia. Our lawyers can also help you if you want to invest in Estonia by opening a new company.

Our team can also answer questions for foreign company managers who have taken over a business in Estonia, following a merger/acquisition. Residing in the country lawfully, based first on temporary residence, then permanent residence, is mandatory and the general entry conditions depend on one’s nationality. Permanent residents can also apply for Estonian citizenship if they meet certain criteria.

 

If you are interested in immigration to Estonia, our team can answer your questions depending on nationality. All foreign nationals can apply for a permanent stay in the country after having spent five, lawful, successive years in the country. However, EU/EEA nationals apply for the right of permanent residence, while non-EU/EEA citizens apply for a long-term residence permit.