Temporary residence for Estonia | TR for Estonia (TR EU, TR Non-EU)

For Non-European Union citizens.

A temporary residence permit of Estonia may be issued to aliens:

• Who is married to a person who has permanent residence of Estonia,
• For settling down or to permanently reside in Estonia with a close relative.
• For work.
• For students enrolled with an educational institute in Estonia.
• for business.
• Individual who can contribute in public interest.

We have given general below are two types of residence permits for Estonia:

• Residence permit for employment in Estonia,
• Residence permit for business in Estonia.

Estonian residence permit for employment

In Estonia, regardless of the type or form of the contract on which is based such activity, and the location of the seat or residence of the other party, an alien, for employment is required to have a residence permit for employment on the basis of an employment contract or another contract, and for other activities for the benefit of other person.

If there has been an open competition in the recruitment of staff for the role and the citizen has qualifications, education, work experience, special skills and the knowledge required for the job, a non-EU citizen may apply for a residence permit for employment. A non-EU citizen can be employed after the consent of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund. For 2 months from the time of issuance, the consent is valid. A residence permit is issued only if the wages of an alien ensure his subsistence in Estonia. An alien must be paid a salary which is at least equal to current average yearly wages in Estonia.

When applying to work as an expert, advisor, consultant or for the purpose to perform managerial or supervisory duties of a legal person registered in Estonia that is governed by private law it’s not necessary to take consent of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and open competition and in that case, some conditions apply:

• Company applying for residence permit for employment must have been registered in Estonia for more than 5 months,
• Company should have conducted business activities.

Estonian residence permit for business

• An Individual can apply for residence permit for business in Estonia for the purpose of conducting business activity, as either, sole entrepreneur, also known as, FIE by investing minimum of 16,000 EUR to start a business in Estonia.
  OR
• An Individual can apply for residence permit for business in Estonia as an owner and a board member of an Estonian company by investing minimum 65,000 euro in the company`s share capital.

Investment made out of individual`s own personal funds or investment in company in Estonian can also be considered as an investments, hence, there is no need for infusing capital through you corporate structure, personal funds are allowed. Company has to be by law operation for a minimum of four months.

For European Union citizens.

An EU citizen must contact the local government authority which is closest to his / her place of residence for obtaining the right of temporary residency of Estonia.

The following documents must be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board upon the application for an identity card:

• An application form for residence of Estonia.
• The applicant’s identity document.
• A colored photo sized 40×50 mm.
• A document that certifies the payment of the state fee of 25 EUR.
• Within a period of one month from the date of submission of the application is issued identity card.

For a period of five years, the right of temporary residence will be automatically extended if:

• The EU citizen’s registered place of residence is continually in Estonia.
• The EU citizen’s right to temporary residence has not expired or been terminated.
• An EU citizen has to apply for a new identity card if the period of validity of an EU citizen’s identity card has expired.

To apply for the temporary residence permit of Estonia below mentioned documents have to be submitted: 

• Official Application form.
• Valid passport.
• Valid travel document – the validity of this document must be at least 3 months until the validity of the temporary residence permit expires and its copy.
• Documents that prove the grounds for the temporary residence permits.
• A document that provides proof of legal income.
• Colored photo 40×50 mm.
• Applicant’s CV.
• A document that proves alien’s living premises in Estonia belonging to him or through a lease agreement.
• Health insurance document – it will be presented after issuing the decision on granting the temporary residence permit.
• A document that proves that is paid the state fee of 65 EUR or 100 EUR for a residence permit for employment or 160 EUR for a residence permit for the business.

On the basis of a temporary residence permit in Estonia residing alien, who is going to stay outside Estonia for more than 183 days per year, has to register his time away from Estonia with the Police and Border Guard Board.

Permanent residency for Estonia

Non-EU citizen who is a shareholder in a company or is having persistent income generation can apply for residence permit for business in Estonia.

The company or the sole proprietor must have a business plan. The business plan states:

• the character and range of the business,
• financial forecasts for the next two financial years,
• number of staff,

One of the following must apply:

• An Individual can apply for residence permit for business in Estonia for the purpose of conducting business activity, as either, sole entrepreneur, also known as, FIE by investing minimum of 16,000 EUR to start a business in Estonia.
• An Individual can apply for residence permit for business in Estonia as an owner and a board member of an Estonian company by investing minimum 65,000 euro in the company`s share capital.

Other requirements related to residence permit types

An alien applying for the first to be regarded residence permit must lodge this application with Estonian consular post or diplomatic mission abroad. The applicant must personally submit documents.

It is feasible to submit the documents In Estonia when applying for the residence permit for business or for managerial or supervisory employment, documents are submitted in a company that private law governs on the following conditions:

• the company in Estonia must have registered for no less than four months,
• the company in Estonia must have managed actual business activities over the previous four months,
• the applicant in relation to the company’s activities is staying in Estonia on the basis of visa or visa-free.

After entry into Estonia or the start of staying in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit, an alien must register his residence in Estonia in the population register within a month.

The individual needs to have an insurance cover for duration of the residence permit all costs that are connected with medical treatment in case of illness or injury.

Temporary resident permit for Estonia proving 5 year`s continuity makes a person eligible to apply for a permanent resident permit of Estonia, also known as, long-term resident permit for Estonia.

For students:

Time spent in Estonia is divided by 2, which means 3 years would be counted as 1.5 years.

The requirements are that you:

1. Valid temporary residence permit for Estonia.
2. Permanent legal income.
3. Registered residence in Estonia.
4. Medical Insurance Cover.
5. Language Proficiency.

Citizenship for Estonia:

• Before applying for citizenship of Estonia an individual has to become a resident of Estonia.

• Give exam to clear Estonian language exam exempted to if an individual has undergone primary education, secondary or higher education in Estonia. Estonian Language exam is exempted for Children under the age of 15 and also for adults who have a restricted legal capacity. The exams are organized (and exemptions granted) by the Innova Foundation.

• Test for knowledge on the constitution of Estonia and the Citizenship Act. This test is exempted for Children under the age of 15 and also for adults who have a restricted legal capacity. Citizenship exam can be enrolled at state portal www.eesti.ee.

• Once the exam is cleared, applications for citizenship of Estonia can be submitted to Estonian Police and Border Guard Board in Estonian language to become a citizen.

Other documents to be submitted for citizenship of Estonia:

• Photograph.
• Income proof.
• Proof of payment for state fee.
• Proof confirming already released or shall be released from current citizenship.

Waiting Period: 6 months. Once, application for citizenship of Estonia has been submitted, processing time is 6 months before approval for Estonian citizenship.

* Once the citizenship is granted, then, an individual can apply for his/her Passport and Estonian ID Card.

• Estonian citizenship is a legal relationship according to which citizens and the state acquire rights and responsibilities.

Rights of an Estonian citizen:

• vote in Riigikogu (parliamentary) elections and referendums (in the case a person is 18 years old and is not reported a person without active legal capacity by the court of law).
• belong to political parties.
• if a person is at least 21 years old, become a candidate in Riigikogu elections.
• if a person is at least 40 years old and has received citizenship by birth, become a candidate in presidential elections.
• Any Estonian citizen cannot be expelled from Estonia or restricted from settling in Estonia. Estonian citizens, while staying abroad, have the right to diplomatic protection of the Estonian state.

Estonian citizens have all the rights of the residents of the European Union, for example:

• visa-free travel within the European Union and to other countries,
• the right, without a work permit to work anywhere in the European Union,
• better learning opportunities in the European Union, and so on.

Obligations of an Estonian citizen:

• Duty of loyalty – the essence of which is to be loyal to the constitutional order and protect the independence of Estonia
• Duty of national defense – it means that male citizens of Estonia must service in the Defense Forces from the age of 16 to 60.
• Respect the constitutional order of Estonia – during their stay in Estonia citizens of foreign states and stateless persons must respect the constitutional order of Estonia.

Visa for Estonia | Estonian Schengen Visa | Schengen Visa for Estonia

Types of visas:

Tourist/Visitor Visa for Estonia:

• Invitation letter issued by friend or family in Estonia – if applicable
• Bank statement of the last 6 months for tourist visa of Estonia
• Passport

Visa for Estonia for Business Purpose:

• Invitation letter from an entity registered in Estonian company with their address and dates of visit.
• Certificate / invitation from individual`s employer mentioning purpose of business travel.
• Business bank statement for last 6 months.
• MOA of company.
• Undertaking for covering expenses of stay and travel from either employer or inviting company .

Visa for Estonia for Medical Purposes:

• Medical reports.
• Invitation from either the hospital or the doctor in Estonia, confirming your date of your appointment and urgency.
• Payment receipt for medical fees.
• Proof for coverage of your medical expenses.

Visa for Estonia for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

• Names of the applicants.
• Travel itinerary
• Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities, along with, purpose of visit undertaking for your expense coverage
• Duration of stay

Visa for Estonia required for Members of Official Delegation:

• Identity of applicant
• The official invitation copy
• Purpose of journey
• Duration of stay
• Place of accommodation

Visa for Estonia for Study, Internship Purposes, Training or Research:

• Enrollment certificate.
• Certificate for payment of fees.
• Financial statement.

Visa for Estonia for spouse of a Estonian citizen:

• Proof of citizenship of Estonia
• Marriage certificate from Estonia
• Estonian family record book

Airport Transit Visa for Estonia:

• Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
• Copy of valid visa to final destination