You can obtain permanent residence in Estonia after five years of residence in the country with an immigration type residence permit. Permanent residency actually equates you in rights with the citizens of the state with rare exceptions such as voting rights or work in government agencies. The Republic of Estonia is a member of the European Union, so with a permanent residence permit you get visa and economic freedom within the association. Permanent resident status is granted to those who pass the integration test and have a stable legal income.

Moving to Estonia is a chance to stay permanently in a country that ranks 16th among all world countries in Numbeo's quality of life index. The Republic is characterized by stable economic growth, an excellent ratio of income and expenditures of the population, regular salary increases, and a favorable business environment. Serious crimes are rare here, the society leads a calm and measured way of life, the infrastructure is well equipped even in small towns, and medicine and education are characterized by high indicators.

What gives you permanent residence status in Estonia

You can apply for Estonian permanent residence permit for the following reasons:

• visa-free travel to Schengen states with a stay of up to 90 days in total within six months;
• official work in the state where the average salary is about 2000 EUR per month;
• free education in prestigious EU universities or participation in scholarship programs;
• simplified registration and doing business internationally, including the Single European Market;
• unlimited service in reliable banks with popular financial instruments;
• qualified medical care on the basis of basic insurance;
• prospects for naturalization and citizenship in the European Union for you and your children;
• receiving social support: from paid integration courses to benefits for certain categories.

Like any other Estonian resident, a permanent resident is obliged to adhere to the legal regulations and not to perform any actions that may contradict the norms of national security and public order.

It is also possible to obtain all the rights and preferences of an Estonian citizen with a passport of another EU country, issued according to a simplified procedure. Immigrantinlaw lawyers can provide more information during a free consultation.

Ways to immigrate to Estonia

To emigrate from your home country to Estonia, you will first need to obtain a temporary residence permit on one of the legal grounds. Please note that not all types of residence permits give you the right to become a permanent resident. For example, a permanent residence cannot be issued with a residence permit obtained for study purposes. Popular immigration grounds include:

• Family reunification.
  Children and parents of local residents, in some cases grandparents or other family members in need of care have the right to move to Estonia. Conditions - the host relative has a passport or residency in the country, is financially secure to support the dependents and can provide them with a place to stay.
• Official work.
  Popular options for relocation include concluding an employment contract with an Estonian company. The employer must get approval from the national unemployment fund to employ a foreigner, and must first look for applicants among Estonian and EU citizens. You need to pass a medical examination, prove your experience with a diploma and/or employment history.
• Highly qualified employment.
  The EU Blue Card is issued in Estonia to those who have an in-demand profession, higher education in their field of study and start working in a local organization with a salary of 150% or more of the national average for their profession. The Blue Card gives more rights than a regular residence permit, including family immigration and mobility to work within the European Union.
• Starting a business.
  It is possible to immigrate to Estonia by opening an innovative company with no share capital requirements or by buying shares in an existing company for the amount of EUR 65,000 or more. If you intend to organize a start-up, you must submit your business plan to the relevant commission and wait for its approval, as well as enter the company in the commercial register.
• Investing in the economy.
  The ways for financially wealthy foreigners to move to Estonia include buying shares in a local company or investment fund for an amount of 1,000,000 EUR or more, provided that the organization has an impact on the national economy. Over time, the investment can be transferred to another organization that meets the specified conditions without losing the residence permit.
• Individual activity (sole proprietorship).
  You can reside in Estonia as a sole proprietor provided that your business capital is at least 16 thousand EUR. You must also have a permanent income of six times the national minimum subsistence level (the estimated figure is 200 EUR in 2024).
• Marriage to a citizen or resident.
  Spouses of holders of a residence permit, permanent residence permit or Estonian passport may apply for local residency provided that their husband or wife provides them with sufficient living space to live together and is able to support them financially. There are no special privileges for obtaining citizenship through marriage in the Republic.
• Research activities.
  Those who come to Estonia at the invitation of a research organization have a chance to stay here permanently. Their work experience and education in the chosen field must be proved by documents, as well as their financial security.
• Special activities.
  The right of residence in Estonia is granted to representatives of recognized church organizations, artists, sportsmen and coaches, accredited journalists, diplomats, trainees, volunteers and seconded employees. In each case, the planned tasks must be supported by documents.
• Humanitarian reasons.
  Estonia provides international and temporary protection to those who cannot reside in their home country for serious reasons, e.g., there is a war or a person is persecuted because of his/her race, gender, religious beliefs or political views. Each case is considered individually by the police.

Requirements to the applicant for a permanent residence and conditions for relocation

The main condition for obtaining Estonian permanent residence permit is prior inhabitancy in the country for five years.

This time must be spent here legally as a temporary resident. You can go abroad for no more than 6 consecutive months, or up to 10 months during the entire five-year period of residence. Exception - special circumstances such as medical treatment abroad or internship. An educational residence permit can be counted halfway towards the required period of stay, provided that you have stayed in the country for another legitimate reason, such as finding a job.

Also, a permanent resident of Estonia must:

• have a valid residence permit of the immigration type;
• be registered in the National Population Register;
• have a legal and regular income for self-sufficiency;
• have a health insurance policy from the Health Insurance Fund;
• know the national language at the level of B1 or higher.

How to move to Estonia for permanent residence

To successfully move to Estonia, you need to do the following:

1. Choose a basis for immigration.
   You study Estonian laws or take legal advice to find the best basis for opening a residence permit and prepare the necessary documents.
2. Visit a diplomatic mission.
   You make an appointment at an Estonian consulate or embassy, visit it in person to submit your dossier, pay the state fee and request a residence permit.
3. Obtain a residence permit and move to the republic.
   If your application is approved, you will be issued a temporary residence card, with which you must come to Estonia and register your address in the Population Register.
4. Renew the residence permit within five years.
   The residence permit is issued for a period of six months to five years, and if necessary, you periodically renew it by applying to the Police and Border Guard Board and confirming the reason for residing in Estonia.
5. Apply for permanent resident status.
   The permanent residence permit is also registered by the police authorities in Estonia after a personal application with a package of documents and is issued for an unlimited period of time.

Collecting and submitting documents

To obtain an Estonian permanent resident card, you prepare the following:

• a personally completed and signed application for a permanent residence permit;
• a valid passport for travel abroad or its equivalent;
• a full-face color photograph taken at a digital kiosk;
• payment order or other proof of payment of the state duty.

You do not need to submit information about health insurance or your income - the Estonian Police Board will request it on its own. The application must be submitted in person and appointments can only be made by online appointment. The authorities reserve the right to request additional data or documents, for example, if you receive a salary from abroad. You will also be fingerprinted when you submit your request, provided that you have not done so for 6 years preceding the date of your visit.

The application for permanent resident status in Estonia is processed within two months. If your application is approved, it will take up to 30 days to produce your residence card. Please note that you will also need time to prepare your dossier, take photos, translate passport pages into Estonian and have them notarized. The residence permit card will only be issued in person at the place of application.

Validity period and extension of Estonian permanent residence permit

The Estonian permanent residence permit is valid indefinitely. However, the permanent residence permit may be revoked if it turns out that you:

• you have registered it with false documents or false information about yourself;
• jeopardize public order and national security;
• have been convicted in the country for a premeditated crime;
• have gone abroad for 6 consecutive years (within the EU) or for more than 12 months when outside the European Union;
• obtained a similar status in another EU country;
• you have taken up permanent residence as a refugee but no longer need protection.

You can obtain Estonian citizenship after 8 years of total residence in the country with residence permit and permanent residence cards. Of these, you must be a permanent resident for at least six months. You will have to give up your passport in your home country, pass an integration and language test, take an oath, prove a legal and stable income, and have a place of registration on the territory of the republic.

Peculiarities of moving to Estonia for permanent residence

The official language of the republic is Estonian, but many residents of the country are also fluent in Russian, especially the older generation who grew up during the Soviet Union. English is rarely used for communication: it is mainly relevant as a corporate language in international companies.

Social security in Estonia is at a high level. Depending on your status, you can count on “children's” money, allowance for pensioners, subsidies for rent and utilities, basic subsistence allowance for families with insufficient income. The calculation of payments depends on the minimum subsistence level of 200 EUR for an adult and 240 EUR for a child.

The minimum wage in Estonia is 820 EUR in 2024, the average wage is 2000 EUR per month. Qualified personnel earn from 4000-5000 EUR in demanded fields such as IT sector or engineering. At the same time, the approximate expenses per person in the country are about 850 EUR per person per month without taking into account renting an apartment.

Earlier, kindergartens and schools in the republic offered bilingual education - in Russian and Estonian, but now they teach only in the state language. Exceptions are private institutions, including those with English-speaking teachers. Education is free for all, including residents, and schooling is also compulsory. Finding a place in school is not a problem even in large cities.

There are no special conditions of immigration to Estonia for pensioners. You can only count on local payments for length of service if you have accumulated it while working directly in the country. You can also receive social benefits if your income in your home country does not cover the local subsistence minimum.

More loyal conditions of citizenship registration are provided in other EU countries, for example, in Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria. Here you can get a passport without renouncing the document in your home country, learning the basics of culture and history of the country, preliminary opening of residence permit and demonstrating the level of income. At the same time, citizenship of any of the EU countries equates you in rights with a citizen of Estonia, including the ability to move to the republic for permanent residence.

How much money you need for relocation

In order to move to Estonia permanently, you need to pay state fees for migration documents, pay for the services of a notary, interpreter, and lawyers. You will also need to rent or purchase housing in the country, if necessary - to transport your stuff, get to the destination point, prepare a “safety net” for the period of adaptation. Approximate costs that may be relevant are shown in the table below.

Reasons to move to Estonia

The advantage of moving to Estonia for permanent residence is the opportunity to live in a country with a decent standard of living, which, according to Numbeo, is rated 185 points out of a possible 200. The high score is explained by the well-developed medical system with partial coverage of services at the expense of the state, low level of corruption and crime, fair European judicial system, high-quality and well-structured education system.

Even with a minimum wage, it is possible to cover the main categories of living expenses in Estonia, such as groceries, utilities and transportation. The country's membership in the EU allows the development of business internationally in a simplified manner, including trade in Europe without customs duties. Since the population often speaks three languages at once (Estonian, Russian, English), it is easy for immigrants from different countries to adapt here.

There are few disadvantages of permanent residence in Estonia. The main one is a complicated registration of residence permit, which is issued within the framework of annual quotas and is strictly limited. A permanent resident will have to learn the Estonian language, which is difficult to master and has a peculiar structure. Those wishing to apply for citizenship must give up their passport in their home country, which is not suitable for everyone.

For a successful and easy move, it is worth enlisting the support of Immigrantinlaw's migration specialists. Qualified lawyers will recommend the best ways to obtain citizenship or permanent residence in the European Union.

Feedback from immigrants who have moved to Estonia for permanent residence

According to the reviews of people who have moved to Estonia for permanent residence, the most difficult task is to obtain resident status. There are few legal grounds for immigration in the republic, and among the usual requirements for foreigners is financial security. However, the efforts are worth it: in general, living in the country is very comfortable, people are friendly and welcoming, and there are no cases of discrimination against immigrants.

Foreigners believe that it is worth moving to Estonia if you are not afraid of peculiar climatic conditions - long and cold winters, short daylight hours. It is worth studying Estonian in advance at least to A2 level, especially if you plan to get a prestigious job upon arrival. It is also not superfluous to find accommodation beforehand, especially in a large city: there is a high demand for rental real estate here.

Among the cities where it is better to move to in Estonia, immigrants usually name Tallinn - the capital of the republic, as well as Narva and Tartu. In Tallinn is concentrated the bulk of the population: about half a million people, including large foreign diasporas. The capital has the most developed infrastructure and employment prospects. Smaller cities will be comfortable for those who are used to a leisurely and quiet lifestyle.

Available options for moving to Estonia legally

To move to Estonia in the usual way, you need to look for a legal basis for a residence permit, keep it for five years, and fulfill a number of complicated requirements to obtain permanent residency status. There are easier ways to immigrate, and the most popular of them is to apply for an EU passport. With citizenship of any of the EU countries you can live in Estonia without time restrictions, work, study, do business, reunite with your spouse and children. With the assistance of specialized lawyers, it will take you from 4 to 14 months to obtain a second passport.

International law specialists of Immigrantinlaw help you to choose the optimal program for obtaining citizenship in the European Union, taking into account your wishes and peculiarities of the dossier. Immigration lawyers provide turnkey services and accompany you at every stage of the procedure until a successful outcome. Specialists are responsible for most tasks, from preparing the correct dossier to helping you obtain a new passport in the EU. To start the second citizenship procedure as soon as possible, make an appointment for a free legal consultation.

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About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.