Estonia’s accession to the European Union on 1 May 2004 continue to produce changes in law. Provisions in the Treaty on European Union stipulate the principle of equal treatment for all residents of the European Union, including freedom of establishment for companies, and equal opportunities for enterprise.

Further to our earlier post, the Estonian authorities have decided to prosecute an Estonian lawyer for alleged breaches of sanctions. The Prosecutor's Press Release states that attorney Urmas Simon has been charged...

It has been reported that Estonia's police and border guards have between them conducted over 240 inspections of vessels...

Details of confiscations conducted by Estonia's Customs office have been reported including the confiscation of goods being exported to Russia at border crossings in breach of EU sanctions.

On 23 November 2004 the Riigikogu adopted the Act on Accession to the Convention on the Protection of the European Communities’ Financial Interests and Its Protocols, which entered into force on 16 January 2005.

On 25 November 2004, the Riigikogu adopted the Credit Institutions Act Amendment Act. Once again, European Union law required the changes. These changes bring increased regulatory detail, particularly regarding activity licences and the acquisition of a qualifying holding.

According to Article 4 of the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive (90/435/EC) on the common system of taxation applicable to parent companies and subsidiaries of different EU member states, member states must: (i) refrain from taxing (ie, the exemption method); or (ii) authorize the parent company to deduct from the amount of tax the amount of corporation tax paid by the subsidiary (ie, the credit method).

It has been reported that during 2024 Estonia's Internal Security Service commenced 71 criminal cases in relation to suspected trade with Russia in breach of the EU's sanctions, and has commenced another 12 already during 2025.

A court in Estonia has remanded an individual, Oleg Bessedin, in custody for two months while he awaits trial.

The District Court in Viru has convicted Aleksei Toom of sanctions offences and sentenced his to nine months in prison suspended for one year conditional upon no further offending.

The Tallin Circuit Court has denied an appeal from Svetlana Burtseva against a conviction for sanctions and treason offences.

Estonia's Customs has issued information on its current enforcement activity in relation to sanctioned Russian timber.

Estonian authorities have charged Oleg Bessedin with transmitting sanctioned Russian TV programs through his controlled channels in Estonia and social media platforms.

Further to our earlier post regarding his extradition from Italy to Estonia, it is now being reported that Ivan Anchevsky has been sentenced to 3 and a half years jail for prohibited exports of equipment to Russia.

It is being reported that the Estonian Prosecutor General's Office has been investigating a bunkering company for alleged breaches of the EU's sanctions in relation to Russian oil.

It is being reported that the Estonian authorities are investigating a large-scale scheme to export luxury cars to Russia in breach of the EU's sanctions.

It is being reported that the Estonian authorities have arrested and detained a 65-year old named only as Tatjana, for allegedly managing and handling funds on behalf of the Foundation...

On 10 February the Riigikogu adopted the State Export Guarantees Amendment Act. </B>The amendments increased the state guarantee limit amount and specified the provisions regulating investment guarantees.

On 12 January 2005 the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) adopted the Act on Involving Employees in Activities of Community-scale Undertakings, Community-scale Groups of Undertakings and European Companies.

Collating the outcomes published in the weekly reports by Estonia’s Tax and Customs Board (see our earlier post for the period from 14 October 2025 to 13 January 2026), reveals the following data...