In 2011, Estonia took another significant step in its integration with Europe by adopting the euro as its official currency on January 1. This made Estonia the first of the former Soviet republics to join the Eurozone, further embedding the country within the European economic system. The transition to the euro was seen as a symbol of Estonia's financial stability and its commitment to European integration, boosting investor confidence and economic ties within the EU.
At the same time, Estonia was gaining global recognition as a leader in digital innovation. Estonia had long been at the forefront of digital governance, and in 2014, it launched its groundbreaking e-Residency program. This initiative allowed non-Estonians to access the country's digital services, start and manage businesses remotely, and securely sign documents online. Estonia’s pioneering role in digital society positioned the small Baltic nation as a global leader in e-governance and digital infrastructure, attracting entrepreneurs and digital nomads from around the world. These innovations were a key part of Estonia's broader vision of becoming a "digital nation."