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The Republic of Estonia, a Baltic nation situated in northern Europe, secured independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the European Union (EU) and NATO in 2004. Bordered by Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, the Gulf of Finland to the north, and the Baltic Sea to the west, Estonia is home to approximately 1,287,000 people, with its capital and largest city being Tallinn.
Estonian is the official language, although a significant portion of the population speaks Russian. In 2011, the Euro (EUR) replaced the Estonian kroon (EEK) as the official currency. Estonia distinguishes itself for its prudent public finances, boasting the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio (9.6%) among OECD countries.
Renowned as a global leader in digital governance, Estonia boasts one of the most advanced digital infrastructures worldwide. Every Estonian citizen receives a digital ID card, granting access to over 4,000 online services. These services encompass financial management, company registration, digital contract signing, tax payment, prescription requests, and even voting. Estonia is also a trailblazer in introducing and implementing the concept of E-Residency, a digital identity card for non-residents issued and endorsed by the Estonian government.
After living in Estonia for 5 years, you will be eligible to apply for either right of permanent residence (as an EU/EEA-citizen) or for a long-term residence permit (as a non EU/EEA-citizen).
You can register the right of permanent residence if you have lived in Estonia for 5 successive years based on the right of temporary residence. There is also a few exceptions when you can do it earlier.
Documents required for the registration:
The registration of or refusal to register the right of permanent residence is decided within 1 month from acceptance of the application.
You can apply for a long-term residence permit if you have resided in Estonia for 5 years on the basis of temporary residence permit.
Please note that your time spent studying in Estonia will be counted toward your total with a 0.5 coefficient. For example, 4 years of studies will count for 2 years of residence in this case.
To apply for the long-term residence permit, you must also:
You need to submit:
Additional documents are required for children and family members.
The granting or refusal of the long-term residence permit is decided within 3 months from your application submission but not later than 10 days before the expiry of your temporary residence permit.
After obtaining the long-term residence permit, your residence card is issued to you in person within 30 days.
Since 2016 those wishing to settle in Estonia permanently can also apply for a long-term temporary residence permit created to make settling and fulfilling the required criteria for permanent residence permit easier.
A residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia
You can apply for the residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia, if:
It is possible to apply for the residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia in foreign representation of Estonia or at the Police and Border Guard Board service office – both in person.
Documents required for the residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia:
The granting or refusal of a residence permit is decided within 2 months as of the acceptance of your application.
The Estonian Startup Visa is a fast and efficient way for non-EU startup founders who wish to come and be a part of one of the smallest but energetic startup communities in Europe as a founder. Estonia is one of the most dynamic countries among the new member states of the European Union. It is well-known both for its innovative drive and cozy living environment.
– Have an actual place of residence is Estonia registered with the Population Register.
– Have health insurance.
– Business plan in Estonian or English.
The description of business plan must express the following data:
+ name and registry code of the company or the sole proprietor;
+ business idea – planned activities, potential clients and suppliers, plans of development, fixed assets available for the company, circulating capital, labour force being used;
+ financial forecasts for the next two financial years – projected income statement, balance sheet, cash flow forecast
+ Curriculum Vitaes of the persons who perform managerial and supervisory functions
+ Motivation – why the settling of the applicant in Estonia is important for the enterprise
After one year has elapsed, when applying for the extension of the residence permit, the investment requirement set for applications for a residence permit may be replaced by the sales income (if at least €200,000 per year) or by the social security tax paid in Estonia (in each month at least equal to the monthly social security tax paid in Estonia from the fivefold remuneration of Estonian annual average gross wages).
As an EU member, Estonia shares some immigration pathways with Europe. Being a forward-thinking and online society, the visa process for moving to Estonia can be straightforward. However, you’ll need to take care in selecting the right option. There are several visa types available, depending on the nature of your visit.
Estonia is a part of the Schengen area. Citizens from the European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Schengen area do not need a visa for stays under ninety days.
If you are moving to Estonia for the longer term, a tourist visa won’t cover you. You will need to apply for a long-term visa. The type you need depends on the reasons you are moving to Estonia. Happily, Estonia’s great range of visas makes them one of the easiest countries to move to in Europe. Having said that, selecting the right visa or residence permit is vital. And, making sure your application is accepted first time will save you time and money.
If you are moving to Estonia for work, you need a long-stay visa. To apply, you need a confirmation letter from your host, and documents proving that you will work in Estonia.
This visa used to be especially popular for freelance travelers. The Estonia Digital Nomad Visa is now more appropriate for that group.
The government announced its game-changing digital nomad visa in June 2020. This visa allows Expats running a location-independent business to work in Estonia for up to one year.
This special visa requires proof of three things:
Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand citizens between the ages of 18-35 may be eligible for the Working Holiday Maker program. This visa allows you to live and work in Estonia under certain conditions.
The Estonia Startup Visa program is a program designed for startup founders. Your business has to meet certain criteria to qualify.
As with most countries that offer startup visas, your enterprise must contribute significantly to the development of the business environment in the country.
If one or both of your spouse’s parents were Estonian citizens at birth, your spouse is likely also an Estonian citizen. This means you can also apply for residency through your spouse, which will allow you to live and work in the country.
This family reunification route is not only for Estonian Citizens. If your spouse has had an Estonian residence permit for at least two years, you may also be eligible for this visa.
Per local laws, you must register your marriage or partnership with the Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB). The CMB may carry out additional checks to ensure your relationship is genuine and that you have enough financial resources. This process may include interviewing you and your spouse.
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can move to Estonia without a visa. However, if you want to work in Estonia, you must register as an Estonian resident. You have to do this within three months of your arrival.
Non-EU and EEA citizens moving to Estonia for longer than six months will need a temporary residence permit. The residence permit allows you to work in the country and leads to eligibility for a permanent residency. You also get an Estonian ID-Card, which grants access to the services the government provides.
After five years, you can apply to stay in Estonia permanently. To qualify for permanent residency, you will need to show your income, accommodation, and health insurance coverage. You must also be able to speak fluent Estonian.
Estonia is an emerging and advancing European country that’s a great place for companies looking to establish a European presence. Thanks to simple visa requirements and the option to bring families, many individuals are drawn to the prospect of a job in the country. If your company is looking to expand, however, you’ll need to know how to get a work visa in Estonia to stay compliant, avoid fines, and harness the talent of a global workforce.
If you want to find work in Estonia, then you need to know the level of salary in the country. The minimum wage in Estonia for January 2021 is 584 EUR per month. For the European Union, this is not much. At the same time, the real salary is set during the interview and maybe slightly higher.
Types of jobs: If we think about the type of work, it can broadly be classified into two.
Estonia has three different visa categories:
Type A and C visas are Schengen visas and allow for entry to other member states. Individuals only entering Estonia can apply with the appropriate Estonian representation issuing the visas. However, if the visit includes going to several member states over two months, the applicant must go to the main destination to file the application.
While there are some exceptions, most of your employees will apply for a long-stay visa. They can do so in person with an Estonian representation that handles visa applications or at the service point of the Police and Border Guard Board in the country.
Your employees will need to meet certain requirements to obtain an Estonia work visa. First, they’ll require a job offer from you as an Estonian employer. You should also provide a recognized work contract proving that they will work for you. It’s important to provide a letter of invitation that you submit to the Police and Border Guard Board. In some cases, the applicant will need permission from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund for employment. If your employee is a top specialist, they may need to meet additional requirements.
Coraledu is dedicated to empowering international individuals to excel in their lives abroad. Through our tailored work and settlement services, we assist both individuals and employers globally, facilitating successful transitions and thriving experiences, particularly in Estonia. Contact us today to unlock opportunities and ensure success in both professional and personal endeavors abroad.
