A professional team of lawyers in Estonia—providing assistance with civil, immigration, and family law matters.
Since 2022, Estonia has been enforcing stricter policies regarding entry and the issuance of residence permits for Russian citizens.
Key changes:
-
April 2022 — The issuance of new work and business visas, as well as residence permits, has been suspended, except in certain cases, such as the renewal of existing permits or a change of employer.
-
July 2022 — Restrictions have been imposed on the issuance of student visas and residence permits for students from Russia, with the exception of those who were already in the country and met the established requirements.
-
September 19, 2022 — Russian citizens are prohibited from entering Estonia on short-term Schengen visas, regardless of which country issued the visa.
-
March 2025 — Estonia no longer recognizes non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. Citizens holding a residence permit or a long-term visa must obtain a biometric passport by September 30, 2025.
Opportunities for Obtaining a Residence Permit
1. EU Blue Card
An option for highly qualified professionals that grants the right to work and reside in Estonia.
Requirements:
-
A current employment contract or a job offer for at least one year.
-
Verified professional qualifications (education or work experience).
-
Health insurance.
Minimum wage:
-
Standard: at least 1.5 times the national average monthly salary (€2,528/month in 2023).
-
For in-demand professions: starting at 1.24 times the average salary (about €2,089/month).
Validity period:
It is granted for the duration of the employment contract plus 3 months (up to 27 months), with the possibility of extension up to 4 years and 3 months.
Application Process:
Submit an application to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and pay a state fee of €125 (€96 for renewals).
Changes effective April 2024:
-
You may apply without a degree if you have 3 years of experience in the IT field.
-
The minimum contract term has been reduced to 6 months.
-
If you lose your job, the time it takes to find a new one is up to 3 months (if you have less than 2 years of work experience with the card) or up to 6 months (if you have 2 or more years of work experience).
2. Temporary Residence Permit for Employment Purposes
This is suitable for those who do not meet the requirements for a Blue Card.
Terms and Conditions:
-
Employment Contract with an Estonian Employer.
-
Minimum wage: starting at €1,252 per month.
-
Documents verifying qualifications.
-
A valid passport and health insurance.
Valid for up to 5 years, with the option to renew. The review process takes 2 to 8 weeks.
3. Freelancer / Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia offers a separate type of residence permit for remote workers and freelancers.
Requirements:
-
A verified, stable income received from abroad.
-
The ability to work remotely.
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Relevant
Since 2022, Estonia has been enforcing stricter policies regarding entry and the issuance of residence permits for Russian citizens.
Key changes:
-
April 2022 — The issuance of new work and business visas, as well as residence permits, has been suspended, except in certain cases, such as the renewal of existing permits or a change of employer.
-
July 2022 — Restrictions have been imposed on the issuance of student visas and residence permits for students from Russia, with the exception of those who were already in the country and met the established requirements.
-
September 19, 2022 — Russian citizens are prohibited from entering Estonia on short-term Schengen visas, regardless of which country issued the visa.
-
March 2025 — Estonia no longer recognizes non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. Citizens holding a residence permit or a long-term visa must obtain a biometric passport by September 30, 2025.
Opportunities for Obtaining a Residence Permit
1. EU Blue Card
An option for highly qualified professionals that grants the right to work and reside in Estonia.
Requirements:
-
A current employment contract or a job offer for at least one year.
-
Verified professional qualifications (education or work experience).
-
Health insurance.
Minimum wage:
-
Standard: at least 1.5 times the national average monthly salary (€2,528/month in 2023).
-
For in-demand professions: starting at 1.24 times the average salary (about €2,089/month).
Validity period:
It is granted for the duration of the employment contract plus 3 months (up to 27 months), with the possibility of extension up to 4 years and 3 months.
Application Process:
Submit an application to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and pay a state fee of €125 (€96 for renewals).
Changes effective April 2024:
-
You may apply without a degree if you have 3 years of experience in the IT field.
-
The minimum contract term has been reduced to 6 months.
-
If you lose your job, the time it takes to find a new one is up to 3 months (if you have less than 2 years of work experience with the card) or up to 6 months (if you have 2 or more years of work experience).
2. Temporary Residence Permit for Employment Purposes
This is suitable for those who do not meet the requirements for a Blue Card.
Terms and Conditions:
-
Employment Contract with an Estonian Employer.
-
Minimum wage: starting at €1,252 per month.
-
Documents verifying qualifications.
-
A valid passport and health insurance.
Valid for up to 5 years, with the option to renew. The review process takes 2 to 8 weeks.
3. Freelancer / Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia offers a separate type of residence permit for remote workers and freelancers.
Requirements:
-
A verified, stable income received from abroad.
-
The ability to work remotely.
As of January 1, 2024, the general procedure for granting residence permits to foreigners of Estonian descent remains in effect in Estonia; however, certain preferential measures previously applied to the resettlement of compatriots have been repealed. This has led our clients to ask what options are currently available for relocating and obtaining a residence permit.
Previously in effect support measures
The repatriation programs implemented by the government provided the descendants of Estonians with a number of benefits:
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the possibility of obtaining a residence permit not only for the applicant, but also for his or her spouse, children, and parents, as well as for the spouse's parents and children;
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the right to duty-free importation of personal belongings when relocating;
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government support in the form of benefits, financial assistance, or reimbursement of moving expenses.
Current Situation
Currently, the right to receive permanent residence permit have:
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close relatives (children, spouses, parents) of an Estonian citizen;
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Foreigners who have resided permanently in Estonia for the past 5 years and have passed an Estonian language exam at the required level.
At the same time, citizens of any country who can provide documentary evidence of their Estonian ancestry (for example, through birth certificates or archival records) may apply for temporary residence permit for a period of 5 years. The applicant’s spouse and minor children may apply for a residence permit along with the applicant.
Options Upon Expiration of a Residence Permit
After 5 years, the applicant has two options:
-
Submit documents to renew a temporary residence permit.
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If you are a permanent resident of Estonia and have passed the language exam, you should apply for permanent residence permit.
We are a technology-driven law firm focused on providing practical and effective solutions for individuals and businesses in Estonia. Our work is based on a deep understanding of the law, attention to detail, and a personalized approach to each client.
Our goal is not simply to provide legal advice, but to help our clients achieve tangible results.
