EMTA changes email handling rules for .ru addresses

In brief

EMTA recommends that users with email addresses in the .ru domain migrate to another reliable email as soon as possible and update their contact details. For legal entities, the key place for updates is e-äriregister, the Estonian Commercial Register.

What happened

The Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) has announced changes to how email correspondence with government institutions will be handled. Starting 31 August 2026, emails sent from .ru email addresses will no longer reach government institutions in the usual way; instead, they will be subject to additional checks.

EMTA’s announcement does not specify exactly how these checks will be organized, how long they may take, or how they will be applied in individual cases. Therefore, one should not assume that all mails from .ru addresses will be automatically blocked or undelivered; nothing in the agency’s message suggests this.

Rather, the agency recommends that users of .ru addresses switch to a more reliable domain—such as .ee, .com, or .eu—and update their contact information. The recommendations are published on the EMTA website.

What this means for entrepreneurs

For a company, the electronic address in state registers is not a formality. It may be used for business communication with institutions, and also as a public contact channel listed in a company's registration data.

If an OÜ, management board member, or company representative's contact information still uses a .ru address, it is practical to proactively change it to a valid address that is under the control of the company or an authorized individual. This will help avoid complications from the new handling order.

Where to update contact addresses

For a legal entity, it is not enough to update the address only in the personal profile of an employee or director. EMTA directly requests that legal entities update their address in e-äriregister.

Important! The change concerns communication procedures with government institutions, not just correspondence with EMTA. Make sure to check the address entered for the company in the Commercial Register.

What to check within the company

In addition to updating e-äriregister records, it is useful to clarify who controls the new mailbox and who is responsible for handling incoming official correspondence. This is especially important if your company uses the services of an external accountant, registered office, or corporate service provider.

1. Check whether the .ru domain address is listed in your company’s e-äriregister data.
2. Choose a new business address to which the company has stable access.
3. Update the legal entity's e-mail in the Commercial Register.
4. If board members or other representatives use .ru addresses in personal government services, review their contacts in e-MTA.
5. Record internally who is responsible for receiving messages addressed to the new email.

Note: Changing your email in the Commercial Register does not update contact information in banks, with partners, service providers, or in internal corporate systems. EMTA’s message is about communication with government institutions.

Who is affected

The change primarily affects the following groups:

• Owners and board members of Estonian OÜs if a .ru address is listed in the company’s contact details;
• e-residents and non-resident founders using .ru addresses for communication with Estonian authorities;
• Cross-border companies with directors or representatives outside Estonia;
• Accountants, corporate service providers, and other agents maintaining company records and contact details;
• Individuals using a .ru address in their e-MTA account.

The fact that a company owner is from another country, or that a Russian domain is used for business communications with clients, is not mentioned by EMTA as being directly affected by this measure. The change concerns only contacts with Estonian state authorities and addresses used in respective systems.

Key dates and deadlines

EMTA recommends switching to another address without delay. There is no additional transition period specified after 31 August 2026 in the agency’s announcement.

Example: If an OÜ’s e-äriregister record shows an address like name@company.ru, the company should replace it with a current business address before the procedure changes. This could be on the company’s own domain or another reliable address controlled by the director or an authorized employee.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to close my .ru email? No. EMTA recommends using another reliable address for government communications; you do not have to close your existing mailbox.
• Where does a legal entity update its address? EMTA specifies e-äriregister as the place to update a legal entity’s email.
• Can I change contact data via EMTA? EMTA states that contact data can be updated by written request, including your personal or registration code.
• Will .ru emails be entirely rejected? The published information does not say this. EMTA mentions an additional check and that the previous routine process will change.
• Should the director change their personal address in e-MTA? This is relevant if the director’s e-MTA account lists a .ru domain address and uses the service as a private individual.

Conclusion

Companies using .ru addresses for communication with Estonian authorities should proactively switch to a different business email. For OÜ, the main step is to check and, if necessary, update the address in e-äriregister. The details of EMTA’s additional checks remain undisclosed, so it is safer not to wait until the rule takes effect on 31 August 2026.

Sources

• Eesti riigiga ei saa enam .ru-lõpulistelt e-posti aadressidelt senisel viisil suhelda

Article Author

Evgeniy Mialik

Business consultant, working in this field since 2011. I help entrepreneurs with company registration and administration, powers of attorney, accounting and tax returns. In my articles I write about the issues my clients face and share useful news for business owners in Estonia.