International moving companies: Everything you need to know
If you have used our moving overseas checklist, you know there are numerous tasks to deal with when planning your move. And, one of the key tasks on t
Immigrate to Estonia. Estonia visas, citizenship and info on moving to Estonia.
Move to Estonia for a New Digital Age.
Estonia is considered one of the most innovative and digitally advanced countries in the world! It is easy to understand why many digital entrepreneurs and startup founders want to immigrate to Estonia. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, Estonia offers a country of ideas and opportunities. Becoming an E-Resident allows anyone the opportunity to succeed as an entrepreneur, no matter their location or country of origin. Citizenship and passport are attractive as Estonia is a part of the European Union. For this reason, Estonia offers several visas, work permits, and residency options. There is an Estonia visa for most people looking to relocate to Estonia, including digital nomads, startup founders, and Expats.
The Digitized State
Estonia is recruiting entrepreneurs and startup founders to become a part of a country with an exciting technology-driven future. Estonia has successfully created a digitized state and built online communities for over a decade. Beginning in the 90s Estonia developed and recreated itself to become a digital and innovative government focussed on efficiency, security, and transparency. The resultant user-friendly interface places Estonia as the most advanced digital society in the world.
Internet as a Human Right
As a part of the e-Estonia initiative, Estonian healthcare and education systems have become digitized. As early as the 90s, Estonia placed a high priority on the internet being accessible in all schools. They ensured computer access and the internet for all students in an infrastructure project called Tiger Leap. Estonia went so far as to write into law that internet access is a fundamental human right. In a country that is half covered in national forests, you can go camping in the woods and still have internet access! How’s that for a reason to move to Estonia?
As an example of this mindset, Estonia hosted a Hack the Crisis event to gather together brilliant minds across the world to problem solve the Covid-19 pandemic. The government put to good use the IT companies and innovative online healthcare available in Estonia. This event was an opportunity to offer a series of digital solutions to the crisis.
Why immigrate to Estonia?
An open market economy and progressiveness have made Estonia an interesting and attractive place for Expats, digital nomads and the business-minded. Estonia has the third-highest number of startups per inhabitant in Europe. Taking a closer look at the country, this is no surprise at all. Estonians believe that usability and convenience are important in the delivery of government services. For example, you can file your tax return online in 10 minutes and register your company in less time. In addition, Estonians speak a high level of English. Estonian businesses often consist of small teams in which young professionals are given many opportunities to develop and lead. In fact, as of 2018, 54.2% of Estonians were under the age of 44.
People come to Estonia to take advantage of the business-friendly environment. The government of Estonia has pushed to make the country a hub for startups and technology. The policy has been so successful that Forbes called it “the most digitally advanced society in the world”. Most transactions can be done by phone, and free Wi-Fi is widely available. In fact, Estonia is the first country in the world that has used the internet for political voting. A developed country with high incomes and standard of living, Estonia is the least populous country in Europe. A fantastic work environment and almost 50% of the country is covered in forests. Estonian air is one of the cleanest on the planet. Public transport is free for registered residents in the capital city Tallinn. As a result, there is a lot less traffic and cleaner air. Immigrate to Estonia and you can have access to all this and more.
Estonia Visas and Permits
European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens can move to Estonia without needing a visa. If you want to work for a period longer than three months, registration as an Estonian resident is required. Additionally, this must be done within the first three months of stay.
In order to live in Estonia for longer than six months as a non-EU and EEA citizen, you will need a residence permit. The residence permit allows you to work in the country as well. If you want to stay permanently, you can apply for a long-term temporary residence. This residence permit leads to eligibility for a permanent residency.
Estonia offers several visas for those looking to visit Estonia, live and work in Estonia, or to relocate to Estonia. In keeping with Estonia’s drive to modernize, this includes the innovative Estonia e-Residency program.
Estonia E-Residency
You can register a business and become a virtual resident of Estonia. This business registration allows you to get an Estonia ID card. With this Estonia identification, you can open bank accounts, sign documents, open a company, and more. And you can do all of this over the internet without ever visiting Estonia. For freelancers and digital nomads, Estonia e-residency may be the virtual visa you need to make your business location independent. There is also the additional benefit of being a European VAT registered entity. Estonia’s welcoming bureaucracy and innovative, low tax environment are great for online businesses.
Estonia Tourist Visa
Estonia is a part of the SCHENGEN area and as such issues SCHENGEN tourist visas. Please see use the Visa HQ tool here to see if you require a tourist visa to visit Estonia.
Estonia Youth Mobility Visa
Australian, Canadian or New Zealand citizen between the ages of 18-30, you may be eligible under the Working Holiday Maker programme. This visa allows you to live and work in Estonia, subject to conditions.
To explore the best working holiday visa programs around the world, please see our article.
Estonia Startup Visa
Founders of startups are eligible for residency of Estonia. The Estonia Startup Visa program has a definition for a startup. It is a business with the goal to develop and launch an innovative and repeatable business model with great global growth potential. Additionally, it must contribute significantly to the development of the business environment in Estonia. If your startup meets these criteria, you can apply for an Estonia Startup visa to move to Estonia to live and work.
To see more startup and entrepreneur visa opportunities in Europe and around the world, please read our in-depth article here.
Estonia Family Visa
If one or both of your spouse’s parents were citizens when he/she was born, your spouse is probably also a citizen. Accordingly, you can apply for residency through your spouse, which will allow you to immigrate to Estonia. Importantly, your spouse needs to be recognized and registered as a spouse or partner as per local laws.
Estonia Long-Stay D-Visa (Estonia Work Permit)
You need two things to apply for an Estonia long-stay visa. First, a confirmation letter from your host. Second, documents proving that you are going to work in Estonia. This sort of visa is referred to often as the Digital Nomad Visa as it is especially popular amongst location independent world travellers.
For more options to live and work in Europe, please see our article here.
Estonia Citizenship
Citizenship and an Estonia passport are powerful instruments. Estonia is a part of the European Union, with all its rights and privileges of living, working, and travelling in the region. Indeed, the Estonia passport was recently ranked as the 12th most powerful passport in the world. It offers visa-free access to 179 countries. Estonia does not allow dual-citizenship; thus you must decide to relinquish your citizenship from your country of origin. You don’t have to be born in Estonia in order to inherit citizenship from one of your parents. However, you do not receive citizenship to Estonia automatically by being born in the country. You must have a parent that is a citizen.
For more information on the value of dual citizenship please read our article here.
Estonia Citizenship Through Your Family
If one or both of your parents were citizens of Estonia when you were born, you are probably also a citizen.
Estonia Citizenship by Marriage
If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Estonia, you are eligible for temporary residence. After five years you can apply for residency, and then after another three years, you can apply for citizenship. Please note that your status of spouse needs to be legally recognized in Estonia.
Estonia Citizenship Through Naturalisation
You may be eligible for citizenship if you have spent five years as a permanent resident, or eight years as a resident. This would also make you eligible for an Estonia passport. There are conditions for this program. On top of being a resident of Estonia, you must take two exams. One on Estonian language and another on the Estonian constitution and the Citizenship Act. Once you pass these exams, you may submit your application for citizenship by post or by email.
Estonia Residency by Investment
Estonia also encourages immigration through its residency by investment programs. Both programs are pathways to citizenship by naturalisation.
Estonia Major Investor Scheme
You need to invest €1,000,000 directly in the Estonian economy to qualify for this visa. The investment must be into a company registered on the Estonia commercial register or in a fund that invests primarily in Estonian companies. Once this Estonia residence visa is issued, there is no restriction on the holder or their family living and working in Estonia. After eight years of residency, you are eligible for citizenship and an Estonia passport.
Business owner and sole proprietor visa
You could gain residency in Estonia through the investment of a capital sum of €65,000 or more in an Estonian company. The figure is reduced to €16,000 if you are a sole proprietor. You must also have substantial control and hire or create jobs in said company. In addition, you need to show that your residency in Estonia is necessary and related to the business investment. After eight years of residency, you are eligible for Estonia citizenship and an Estonia passport.
For information on the best Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs please see this article.
Do you have experience of moving to Estonia? We’d love to hear from you about why you chose to relocate to Estonia. What did you feel are the pros and cons of living and working in the country. For example, we’d be very interested in your experience with Estonia visas and residency permits, citizenship, Estonia nationality, and Estonia passports. Please contact us to share your Expat story here.
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