A temporary residence permit is a status of a foreigner, according to which he gets the opportunity to stay in Estonia for a certain period of time without the need for a visa.
Depending on the purpose of emigration, a temporary residence permit in Estonia is issued for a certain period and under certain circumstances:
Employment. A foreigner has the right to obtain a temporary residence permit to work at an enterprise registered in the jurisdiction of Estonia. The validity of the status is 2 years. The permit can be extended for 5 years if the position is retained. To obtain a temporary permit, you must submit a call from the employer to the Migration Department.
Teaching. There are 9 universities in the country, each of which is available for study to non-residents. The latter must obtain a residence permit in the form of an ID card for a period of 1 year. Subsequently, its effect can be extended for the duration of training.
Family reunification. Temporary residence permits can be obtained by close relatives of a foreign person who has a residence permit in Estonia. A non-resident resident in Estonia is required to have a permanent income and a registered place of residence.
Temporary residence permit for investment
The legislation of this Baltic country provides for the possibility of obtaining a temporary (or urgent) residence permit by investing in an Estonian business. In other words, to obtain a temporary residence permit, you must invest in a company operating in the jurisdiction of Estonia, at least 65.5 thousand euros.
Advantages of a temporary residence permit in Estonia for investments:
Granting status for 5 years to all family members;
Issuance of electronic citizenship, valid for 5 years;
There are no obligations to pay taxes and fees to obtain citizenship;
There is no need for a residence permit in Estonia.
To submit documents, you must pre-register for an appointment with the Consul online https://broneering.mfa.ee/
A permanent residence permit gives the right to move to the country without having to leave it at any time. A permanent residence permit is not issued immediately after the application of a foreign person. In order to obtain a permanent residence permit in Estonia, you must confirm one of the conditions established by law:
Marriage to an Estonian. A permanent residence permit is issued to foreigners who are married to a resident of the country;
Long-term residence in the state. A permanent residence permit is issued to non-residents who, subject to a temporary residence permit, have resided in Estonia for more than 5 years;
Successful business. Investors whose company has been operating in the country's jurisdiction for more than 5 years can obtain a permanent residence permit in Estonia.
In order to go to Estonia for permanent residence, you will also need to obtain a health insurance policy, prove the existence of a source of permanent income and pass a language exam.
It should be borne in mind that, unlike most countries where dual citizenship is allowed, the purchase of real estate in Estonia is no longer a basis for obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit. However, this fact is crucial when renewing a temporary or permanent residence permit.
To submit documents, you must pre-register for an appointment with the Consul online https://broneering.mfa.ee/
According to the Estonian Law on Citizenship, the status of a citizen of the state is provided in any of 4 ways: by birth, in the process of naturalization, for special merits and by restoration. Each of the options provides for different requirements for the applicant and conditions of registration.
Citizenship from birth
Article 5 of the Law on Citizenship and Section 8 of the Estonian Constitution guarantee the acquisition of citizenship at birth in the country in two cases:
One of the parents has Estonian citizenship at the time of the child's birth.
The birth took place after the death of his father, who is an Estonian citizen at the time of his death.
A child automatically acquires Estonian citizenship if he or she is born in the country, even if his or her parents are stateless.
To submit documents, you must pre-register for an appointment with the Consul online https://broneering.mfa.ee/
Citizenship by naturalization
The status of a citizen of Estonia is granted in accordance with the standard procedure, according to Art. 6 of the Law "On Citizenship". Estonian citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of residence in the country on a residence permit, as well as after 3 years of permanent residence. After fulfilling these conditions, you can apply for Estonian citizenship.
In order to become an Estonian citizen, a foreigner must:
confirm the legality of income in the country;
pass exams on the history of the country and the knowledge of the constitution, the Estonian language;
buy real estate;
renounce previous citizenship (dual citizenship is prohibited by law in Estonia).
In addition, you must pay a state fee.
It is important to know: the acquisition of Estonian citizenship is not provided when buying real estate.
Requirements to the applicant for citizenship by naturalization:
Age over 15 years
Presence of a residence permit or permanent residence permit
Availability of a registered place of residence on the territory of the state
Residence in the country for at least 8 years, of which 5 years - total direct stay in Estonia
Knowledge of the Constitution of Estonia and the national language (ability to compose a simple text, speak at a level not lower than B1)
Availability of a legal permanent source of income (salaries, income from business activities, pensions, scholarships, alimony, etc.)
To submit documents, you must pre-register for an appointment with the Consul online https://broneering.mfa.ee/
Citizenship for special merits
Persons who have achieved high results in science, culture, sports or other fields of activity in Estonia may become citizens of the country in accordance with Art. 10 of the Law "On Citizenship". Citizen status is granted only at the suggestion of members of the Estonian government. According to the law, citizenship for special merits can be obtained by a little more than 10 people a year. The applicant of this category is exempted from the requirements of knowledge of the state language and legal features, the presence of a residence permit or permanent residence and registered residence, as well as previous residence in the country.
To submit documents, you must pre-register for an appointment with the Consul online https://broneering.mfa.ee/
Do you have the right to apply for a Blue Card?
To apply for a Blue Card, the applicant must have:
have a valid employment contract or job offer for highly qualified work for a period of at least 1 year;
meet the minimum wage threshold;
for regulated professions: submit documents confirming compliance with national legislation;
for unregulated professions: present documents confirming the availability of relevant higher professional qualifications;
present a valid travel document, visa application (if necessary), as well as a valid residence permit or national long-term visa (if necessary);
provide a certificate of sickness insurance (or confirmation of application for it).
In addition, the applicant must not endanger public order from the State's point of view. He may also be required to provide his address in that State.
Will applications from EU citizens take precedence over applications from third-country nationals wishing to obtain an EU Blue Card in Estonia?
Some Member States use the labor market test (LMT). This mechanism aims to ensure that migrant workers are recruited only after employers have unsuccessfully sought national workers, EU citizens, or legally residing third-country nationals to have access to the labor market in accordance with national law.
Estonia uses a labor market test.
How long will the EU Blue Card last in Estonia?
Standard Estonian validity period: 27 months.
Special rules: In Estonia, an EU blue card is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, but this period must be less than two years and three months. The EU Blue Card can be renewed several times for up to four years and three months at a time.
How much it will cost?
Blue Card down payment: 120 euros,
Continuation: 96 euros.
Replacement: 31 euros (abroad 35 euros).
Express delivery fee: no commission.
How long does it take to get a blue card?
National law stipulates that the maximum period for issuing a Blue Card in Estonia is 60 days.
More information on the EU Blue Card in Estonia can be read at: https://www2.politsei.ee/en/teenused/residence-permit/tahtajaline-elamisluba/tootamiseks/oluline-info-tootamiseks-elamisloa-taotlejale.dot# blue card
Estonia has lifted all coronavirus entry restrictions from anywhere in the world.
Temporary displaced citizens of Ukraine are allowed to enter Estonia with any Ukrainian documents.
Information on refugee assistance centers - Reception points organized by the Government of Estonia:
Tallinn: Niine 2, open 24 hours a day, +3726000677
Tartu: Hotel Raadimõisa, Mõisavärava 1, 24/7, +372 5377 0586
Pärnu: Pikk 18, open from 9 am to 9 pm, +372 5881 1311
Rakvere: Kastani 12, open from 9 am to 9 pm
Advice and assistance can be obtained in Tallinn at the Estonian Refugee Council, 28 Liivalaya Street, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00. Phone: +372 58811311. Website: https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en
Social security for refugees - provides: determination of accommodation and transport to it; three meals a day at the accommodation; issuance of a card for free travel on public transport (valid on buses, trams, trolleybuses and trains; registration of the need for a place in kindergarten and school; rapid testing on Covid-19; provision of basic necessities (such as hygiene products and other necessities) ), providing information on opportunities for social assistance.
Medical care - provided: everyone who is in Estonia is guaranteed immediate medical care in case of serious or life-threatening health problems. Health consultations can be obtained by calling the consultation number of family doctors: 1220 (+372 634 6630 - from a foreign number). If necessary, the call is forwarded to the emergency number 112. Advice on health and psychological assistance is also provided by the Department of Social Insurance at the Refugee Reception Center.
Psychological support can also be obtained by calling the crisis support phone: 116006, +372 6147 393.
Possibility to extend short-term stays and visas for citizens of Ukraine - temporarily, until a new order is issued, citizens of Ukraine whose visa or other grounds for staying in Estonia expire may continue to stay in Estonia. Citizens of Ukraine who do not have a biometric passport can also enter Estonia without a visa. If a citizen of Ukraine whose work permit in Estonia expires in the near future and wishes to renew it, in this case the employer must re-register it with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Department.
Should I apply for refugee status? - Ukrainian citizens can stay in Estonia without a visa and do not need to apply for international protection to stay in Estonia.
Crossing the border without a biometric passport - yes or no? - yes
Can I get a new passport in Estonia?
The Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia has resumed accepting documents for foreign passports. Please note that the terms of production and delivery of passports to the Embassy (three months without delivery), during martial law in Ukraine - may be increased, for the period of martial law in Ukraine delivery of manufactured passports of Ukrainian citizens for travel abroad will be carried out only with postal operator of international express items "VFS.Global" (at its own expense).
The cost of a passport for children under 16 is 37 euros, the cost of a passport for a person over 16 - 120 euros.
In addition, we emphasize the need for the consent of both parents to issue a passport to a child under 16 years. You can get acquainted with the list of documents for passport registration at the link: https://bit.ly/3yFp6MH. Originals and copies of documents are required for submission.
Acceptance of documents for passports is carried out EXCLUSIVELY by prior electronic record (one record - one person) at the link: https://bit.ly/3NkaDtD
What to do if the passport expires? - not earlier than 3 months before the expiration of the biometric passport for travel abroad, you should contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia to renew it. Details by phone: + 372-601-58-35.
What to do if you have a child without a passport? - it is necessary to apply to the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia in order to enter data about the child in the passport of the parents / legal representative of the child. Details by phone: + 372-601-58-35.
Crossing the border with pets - Due to the martial law in Ukraine, Estonia is temporarily simplifying the requirements for pets that refugees from Ukraine take with them. Detailed information in Ukrainian: https://pta.agri.ee/ru/node/569#-
Links to official information sources for refugees from Ukraine:
Tallinn Refugee Reception Center: https://www.tallinn.ee/Tsentr-vstrechi-voennyh-bezhentsev-v-Tallinne
Estonian Refugee Council: https://www.pagulasabi.ee/uk
Estonian Police and Border Guard Department: https://www.politsei.ee/ru/instruktsii/informaciya-v-svyazi-s-krizisom-v-ukraine
Estonian government website: https://www.kriis.ee/ru/situaciya-s-besopasnostyu-v-evrope/dlya-bezhencev-iz-ukrainy
Ukrainian Cultural Center: http://www.ukk.ee/uk/
Importantly! Ukrainians who have received temporary protection and a residence permit in Estonia are required to register their place of residence in the Estonian Population Register. This can be done at the local government at the place of residence: http://www.dopomoga.ee/
Before leaving Estonia for good or after you have left for good, you must inform the Estonian Police and Border Guard Service by e-mail: [email protected]