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On 13 February, amendments to the Employment Contracts Act entered into force, opening the door to more flexible work organisation and providing employees and employers with an innovative opportunity to conclude flexible working time agreements.

Last year, the optical retail chain Pro Optika took a bold step by acquiring its competitor Pere Optika — a move that doubled both its store network and its team. With 50 stores now across Estonia, the company is entering a new growth phase and redefining what it means to be a modern family-run business.

In December 2024, AS Kodupaber signed a purchase agreement to acquire the long-established wholesale company Ristart AS. The transaction marked an important milestone in Kodupaber’s growth strategy, supported throughout by Grant Thornton Baltic – from the first negotiations to the successful merger of the two companies in June 2025.

The Whistleblower Protection Act, which came into effect on September 1, 2024, protects employees, shareholders, and clients in the event of corporate misconduct, but there is still confusion in certain situations about how to interpret the law precisely.

An overview of remote work developments in 15 countries before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pursuant to amendments that entered into force last year, the Commercial Register can fine or compulsorily dissolve those who are late filing an annual report. Compulsory dissolution can be done if the company lacks registered assets (i.e. no assets evident in the land register, ship register, Commercial Register or Estonian securities register), is not a party to any current judicial proceedings, criminal enforcement proceedings or tax disputes.

Last year, an amendment to the Commercial Register Act was passed, which meant more fines for companies for the purpose of making the Estonian business environment more transparent.

Grant Thornton Baltic provided consultation to OptiPRO OÜ, which operates a retail chain of optometry stores under the brand Pro Optika and acquired the holding company of the Pere Optika chain, Optiland Eesti OÜ. After receiving a merger permit from the Competition Authority, the transaction was completed on June 10, 2024, and OptiPRO OÜ acquired a stake in Optiland Eesti OÜ.

For years, the Commercial Register allowed companies to operate in the Estonian business environment as if disclosure of economic figures was optional. Last year, an abrupt change in direction occurred.

Grant Thornton Baltic's transaction advisory team helped OÜ Rannu Seeme develop the conditions for the exit of the partner, including advising on the execution and formalization of the transaction.

Kristel Tiits, a long-term employee of our company and Head of Legal, became a Partner of Grant Thornton Baltic. In total, we now have seven partners in Estonia and 15 in the Baltics.

The Commercial Register Act will enter into force in three stages: the general date of entry into force is 1 February 2023, but the amendments concerning the maintenance of a list of shareholders and a list of building association members will enter into force on 1 September 2023, while the amendments concerning, among other things, the reservation of a business name and the making of entries on a specified date will only enter into force on 1 March 2024.

The European Union directive on transparent and predictable working conditions has been transposed into national law. The corresponding amendments come into force on 1 August 2022, but it would be a good idea for employers to start preparing for this date already.

The so-called Whistleblower Protection Act has raised many practical questions. Here are some of the most common questions that have been asked by clients of Grant Thornton Balticand the answers of our specialists.

Grant Thornton Baltic OÜ advised German company RAUMEDIC AG on the acquisition of aktsiaselts A&G. RAUMEDIC AG is a leading developer and manufacturer of systems and components and a partner to medical and pharmaceutical industries. Core business of aktsiaselts A&G is production of medical supplies.

Effective 1 April 2022, when the system for taking child leave will change in the Employment Contracts Act, all parents of children under 14 years of age will be entitled to 10 working days of paid child leave per child under 14.