Resources

Data & policy

The numbers behind Baltic succession, and where the law stands.

We collect what is known about business succession in the Baltics and track legislation relevant to steward ownership. Figures are sourced; where data is missing, we say so — and plan to commission our own baseline survey.

By the numbers

What we know so far

27%
of Estonian family-business owners surveyed have a formal or informal succession plan.: Sorainen, Baltic Family Business Survey 2024; ≈50%
have identified a successor.: Sorainen, Baltic Family Business Survey 2024; ≈80%
want to hand the business to the next generation of the family.: Sorainen, Baltic Family Business Survey 2024

Figures as reported by Sorainen for Estonian respondents. We are verifying them against the full survey report.

Succession readiness, Estonian family businesses

Want to pass the business to the next generation

≈80%

Have identified a successor

≈50%

Have a formal or informal succession plan

27%

Source: Sorainen, Baltic Family Business Survey 2024

The intention gap

Want to pass it on ≈80%

Have a plan 27%

Source: Sorainen, Baltic Family Business Survey 2024

Policy trackerWhere the law stands. Last updated October 2026.

Estonia

No dedicated legal form

Steward ownership can be built with existing company and foundation law. No public debate on a dedicated form yet.

Latvia

No dedicated legal form

Building blocks exist (SIA, nodibinājums); not yet mapped in detail.

Lithuania

No dedicated legal form

Building blocks exist (UAB, foundations, VšĮ); not yet mapped in detail.

Germany

Debated

A dedicated form for companies with bound assets has been debated for several years.

Netherlands

Parliamentary motion (2024)

The Tweede Kamer asked the government in April 2024 to work on a company form for steward ownership.

European Union

To watch

Proposals for a common EU company form (“28th regime”) are relevant to how steward ownership could work across borders.