Public law organisations have an independent legal status and a considerable freedom in their relations with the ministries. A number of state agencies, administered by government institutions, have been established in order to offer various public services, e.g. theatres, museums, welfare institutions or state schools (most schools are administered by local governments). Similar state institutions do not directly execute the state power, but their functioning is carried out on the basis of the same principles as the government institutions — it can only occur in accordance with the law. To fulfil its tasks, the state can set up public limited companies, private law foundations and non-profit organisations. In addition to non-privatised state companies, of which only a few have remained (e.g. Estonian Energy), the state has established dozens of new ones.
Mitmesuguste avalike teenuste osutamiseks on loodud rida muid asutusi, mis tegutsevad ministeeriumi haldusalas, näiteks Kultuuriministeeriumi valdkonnas mõned teatrid, muuseumid, instituudid jne. Riik võib oma kohustuste täitmiseks asutada ise eraõiguslikke sihtasutusi ja mittetulundusühinguid, samuti äriühinguid, ning omada aktsiaseltsides ja osaühingutes aktsiaid ning osasid. Ettevõtteid, kus riigile kuuluvad kõik aktsiad või osad, on jäänud mõni üksik (nt Eesti Energia).