Statistical reporting in Estonia (ESTAT): what is requested, why it is necessary, and why it cannot be ignored

Statistical reporting is one of the most underestimated aspects of corporate responsibility in Estonia. Unlike tax reporting, which entrepreneurs are usually aware of in advance, the requirements of Statistics Estonia (ESTAT) often take them by surprise. Companies receive a letter or notification in the e-Business Register system, but often do not understand why they have been selected, what data is being requested and whether responding is mandatory.

In practice, statistical reporting is not a recommendation or an optional survey. It is a legal obligation, and ignoring it can result in real sanctions. This is why it is important for owners of Estonian companies to understand how the ESTAT system works and what role it plays in the overall regulatory framework.

So, what is Statistics Estonia (ESTAT) and what role does it play?

It is a government agency responsible for collecting, processing and analysing official statistics in Estonia. Based on data provided by companies, it compiles macroeconomic indicators, employment statistics and data on economic sectors, exports and investments, among other areas.

It is important to understand that, while ESTAT is not directly related to taxation, it does interact with other government agencies. This means that the data provided must be accurate and consistent with accounting and tax records. Discrepancies, even if unintentional, may prompt further questions.

Why is your company being asked to submit reports?

One of the most common questions from entrepreneurs is: ‘Why were we chosen?’ It is important to understand that not all companies are requested to submit statistical reports at the same time. ESTAT uses a selective, risk-based approach.

A company may be selected based on:

1. type of activity (EMTAK);
2.  turnover or number of employees;
3.  participation in a specific sector of the economy;
4.  random selection as part of a statistical sample.

Receiving a request does not mean that there is anything wrong with the company. This is a standard operating procedure, but it is mandatory.

What types of statistical reporting are there?

ESTAT requests different types of reports depending on the company’s profile. These may include:

• reports on turnover and income structure;
• reports on expenses;
• data on the number of employees and wages;
• reports on investments;
• data on foreign economic activity;
• specialised industry forms.

Some reports are submitted once, while others are submitted quarterly or annually. In rare cases, reports may be requested monthly.

How to submit statistical reports

Statistical reports must be submitted electronically via the Statistics Estonia portal. Access to the system is provided through:

• e-Residency;
• ID card;
• authorised person (e.g. accountant).

While the forms are usually standardised, they require a precise understanding of terms and indicators. A common problem is that the wording in statistical forms does not always correspond to accounting logic, so it is easy to make mistakes without experience.

Submission deadlines and liability for non-compliance

Each statistical report has a specific submission deadline, which is specified in the notification. These deadlines are mandatory and not indicative. If a company:

• fails to submit a report;
• submits a report late; or
• provides incorrect data;

ESTAT has the right to apply sanctions, including fines. In practice, reminders are usually sent first, but systematic non-compliance can result in legal action.

What should a company do if it is not operating?

Even if a company is not actively engaged in economic activity, it is not necessarily exempt from statistical reporting. In some cases, it is necessary to submit a report with zero indicators; in others, it is necessary to officially confirm the absence of activity.

Ignoring the request on the grounds of ‘we have nothing’ is almost always considered a violation. In any case, a response must be provided, either in the form of a completed form or an official notification via the system.

Common mistakes when working with ESTAT

In practice, we most often encounter the following problems:

• The company does not open notifications in the system; the report is submitted without reconciliation with the accounting department
• the data does not match the annual reports; the report is submitted ‘by eye’; deadlines are missed due to the absence of a responsible person.

These errors are especially common for companies that do not maintain regular accounting records.

Why is statistical reporting the responsibility of the business?

As with accounting, it is important to understand that the responsibility for statistical reporting lies with the company, not a government agency or external consultant. Even if accounting is outsourced, the company must ensure that ESTAT reports are submitted correctly and on time.

For entrepreneurs, this means that statistical reporting should be integrated into the overall corporate control system and not be seen as incidental or secondary.

Statistical reporting in Estonia is neither a formality nor voluntary participation in surveys. It is a mandatory element of a company’s interaction with the state and requires the same level of attention as tax and accounting reporting.

Companies that work with ESTAT in a timely and correct manner do not experience any problems and view statistical reporting as part of the normal administrative process. Problems arise when requirements are ignored or not taken seriously.