Estonia
Introduction
Estonia is one of three Baltic states (the other two being Latvia and Lithuania) in northeastern Europe that joined the European Union in May of 2004 along with nine other nations. Estonia has one of the strongest economies of these new member states and has a very active information technology sector.
Living and Working in Estonia
EU/EEA Citizens have the right to live and work in Estonia relatively hassle-free. Third-country nationals must obtain a work permit or a residence permit granted on the basis of legal employment.
EU/EEA Citizens
EU/EEA citizens and nationals of Switzerland can live in Estonia for up to three months. If the stay will go beyond the three-month time period, they must apply for temporary residence, which is granted for five years. After five continuous years of living in Estonia, an EU/EEA citizen can apply for permanent residence.
Temporary Residence
An application for temporary residence must be submitted during the first three-months since the EU/EEA citizen entered Estonia.
Within one month of being granted temporary residence, the EU/EEA citizen must contact the customer service center of the Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB) to obtain an identity card which proves his or her right of residence within Estonia.
To apply for temporary residence, an EU/EEA citizen must submit the follwing documents:
- an application form (this can be filled out at the CMB on the day of applying)
- legal identification, such as a passport
- a color photograph, sized 40x50mm
- proof of payment of the state fee
Minor children applying for temporary residence must submit, in addition to the above documents, the following:
- legal identification of his or her legal representative (guardians appointed by a court must have proof certifying thier status as guardian)
- a birth certificate, unless the minor has identification (such as a passport) from a foreign country. If the parent's name in the birth certificate differs from the name in the parent's identification document, a document certifying the change of name is required (e.g. a marriage certificate)
Identity cards are issued within a period of one month from the date of the application.
Temporary residence renewals for EU/EEA citizens are extended automatically for periods of five years if the place of residence for the EU/EEA citizen is continually in Estonia and the right of temporary residence has not been expired or terminated for any reason.
Permanent Residence
After a continuous period of residence in Estonia for five years, an EU/EEA citizen can obtain permanent residence. Under certain conditions (see below), permanent residence can be obtained before five years. Any children born to permanent residents in Estonia are also immediately granted permanent residence.
EU/EEA citizens applying for permanent residence must submit the following documents to the CMB in person or by post:
- an application form
- legal identification
- a color photograph, sized 40x50mm
- proof of payment of the state fee
When sending by post, copies of important documents are acceptable as long as they are signed and dated by the applicant. Minors younger than one years old cannot be applied for by post.
Exceptions to five-year rule
Under certain conditions, an EU/EEA citizen can obtain permanent residence before five years if they have lived in Estonia as a temporary resident:
- for at least three consecutive years and has worked for at least the previous twelve months and attained pensionable age. Proof of employment is required.
- for at least the last two years and has stopped working because of injury or disease which makes the individual unable to work (a document proving this incapacity is required)
- and has stopped working because of an incapacity caused by a work related injury or disease (a document proving this incapacity is required)
- and has worked in Estonia for at least three years and is currently working in another EU state but travels back to Estonia at least once a week (proof of working for the last three years and proof of traveling back and forth to Estonia is required)
A decision of the application is generally made within one-month from the time of submittal.
Non-EU/EEA Citizens
Third country nationals who wish to live in Estonia must have a residence permit. Residence permits are handed out on the basis of various criteria, such as employment, marriage, close relations, study, and business.
Initially, third country nationals are issued a renewable two-year temporary residence permit. After five years of continuous residence, a third country national can apply for permanent residence.
For temporary residence permits issued for reasons other than employment, a work permit is required if the third country national wishes to work in Estonia. Work permits are not required for third country nationals holding permanent residence permits.