Prepare for your relocation to Estonia by ensuring your travel documents are in order and researching the local customs and culture.
As a member of the European Union (EU), Estonia offers specific immigration options for both EU and non-EU citizens. Here are some general pathways for ensuring a smooth relocation to Estonia:
For non-EU citizens
Short-term visa
- If you’re not exempt from the short-term visa requirement, you’ll need to obtain a visa for trips of up to 90 days. Eligibility for such a visa is determined based on the purpose and details of your trip. It should be noted that the visa alone is not a work permit.
Estonia work visa
- If you plan to work in Estonia for up to a year, you can apply for the Estonia work visa. As a prerequisite for this, applicants must first apply for an Estonia work permit, based on which a visa will be issued.
Temporary residence permit
- If you plan to stay in Estonia for more than a year, you can apply for a temporary residence permit. This is issued on various grounds, such as work (in which case you’ll obtain it together with the Estonia work permit), business, study, etc. A temporary residence permit is generally issued for a period of up to five years and can be renewed.
Permanent residence permit
- If you have lived in Estonia for at least five years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. This is issued for an indefinite period and does not need to be renewed.
For EU citizens
- EU citizens spending more than three months in Estonia do not need to obtain the Estonia work visa or Estonia work permit but do need to register their residence in Estonia.
Please note that we assess each immigration process individually. Based on the details of your employee relocation, our immigration lawyers will determine whether your employee needs the Estonia work visa, a type of Estonia work permit or an alternative option.
You can familiarise yourself with the immigration requirements on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board, such as what is needed to apply for an Estonia work permit or Estonia work visa, and secure accommodation ahead of time to ease your transition to this vibrant Baltic country.
Our team has summarised some information that would be useful to know before moving to Estonia.
Finding a home in Estonia
High demand for rental apartments, and rapid real estate development near Tallinn
Relocation to Estonia - What could be nicer than life on the quiet shores of the Baltic Sea? If you’re in the process of moving to Estonia, our relocation specialists can help you find accommodation suited to your needs, to make moving to Estonia as smooth as possible. When moving to Estonia, note that the demand for rental apartments in larger centres, such as Tallinn and Tartu, is quite high, so you should decide quickly when a suitable offer comes up.
In the vicinity of Tallinn, real estate developments are progressing rapidly, and, in recent years, many urbanites, especially those who work remotely, have been moving away from the city to Viimsi, Kakumäe, Rae parish and other places where shops and schools are within easy reach.
If you are planning a relocation to Estonia, know that you’re likely to fall in love with this small country by the Baltic Sea, which boasts more than 2,000 islands and plenty of beautiful beaches. More than half of it is covered in forests! And don’t be surprised to find locals heading to the swamp for a swim!
Travel and transportation
Highly developed public transportation system and free rides for residents
Estonia has a highly developed public transportation system in both its cities and rural areas. As part of your relocation to Estonia, in Tallinn specifically, you’ll discover it’s possible to travel quickly and comfortably by bus, tram, train and even trolleybus. What’s best – public transportation is free for residents of Tallinn! Tallinn public transport schedules and more can be found here.
If moving to Tartu, know that the city also boasts a fully developed public transportation network with 13 bus routes, two of which run at night. A total of 64 buses, with frequent departures, are equipped with air conditioning, low floors and run on environmentally friendly fuel. Passengers have access to real-time information online and by phone. Timetables are also available in paper form at bus stops and the Information Centre in Tartu Town Hall.
Schools/education
International high-quality education
If your motivation for the relocation Estonia is its high-quality higher education, then Tartu University is where to aim for! Founded in 1632, the University of Tartu is the largest and most comprehensive university in Estonia and one of the most respectable centres of education and research in Northern Europe. It belongs to the top 1.2% of the world's best universities and is the top 358th university in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. The university attracts a significant number of students from all over the world due to its high-quality education, research opportunities and vibrant student life.
If moving to Estonia with children, you’ll be pleased to learn Estonia offers several opportunities to acquire general education in an international environment with tuition in English. Tallinn is home to three international schools and Tartu to two.
PIRGROUP’s consultants will be happy to guide you through the local schooling system and assist you with finding the best educational institution to make sure that the relocation to Estonia is smooth and seamless for you and your children.
Healthcare in Estonia
Private clinics with multilingual and highly qualified staff
Before moving to Estonia, it is worth knowing that Estonia has national health insurance. All social taxpayers have access to the insurance, and this covers approximately 95% of the population. In addition, several private clinics operate in Estonia, which offer the advantages of quick access to healthcare services and knowledge of foreign languages.
Many private clinics provide a full range of services from full hospitalisation, accident and emergency treatment, ambulance services, specialist and general practitioner appointments. Staff at the private clinics usually speak English and often also other foreign languages. Among the private clinics in Estonia, we recommend Confido.