Information about working in Estonia for the employer

What are the options available for the employment of an alien?

If the alien is staying in Estonia legally and wishes to work on a temporary basis, it is best to register their employment as short-term employment. If the alien shall be employed for a longer period of time, they must apply for a residence permit for employment.

What are the obligations of the employer when recruiting a foreign worker?

You must ensure that the alien hired for the job has the appropriate training, work experience and state of health as well as the necessary professional skills and knowledge for performing the work.
Your company must be registered in Estonia.
You must pay the alien remuneration that is at least equal to the annual average gross salary in Estonia (a generel requirement, there are exeptions).
If the alien applies for a residence permit, you must seek permission from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to recruit the alien.

* Starting from 01.01.2023 amendment in Aliens Act when working for growth company.
** Starting from 24.05.2022 amendment in Aliens Act there are no employment grounds where 2 time criteria applies. This means that new permits or short-term employment rights do not follow the 2-time criteria. The 2-time criteria still applies to permits issued previously before the amendment.

If the residence permit or short-term employment does not fall under the set salary condition, the salary needs to be sufficient for subsistence in Estonia.

Employment grounds:

• skilled workers (general condtitions)
• seasonal workers (only short-term employment)
• top specialists
• members of the management body of a company
• experts
• ministers of religion
• workers in a start-up company
• scientists, lecturers
• teachers
• sportsmen
• persons engaged in creative activities
• EU Blue Card (only residence permit)
• Estonian high school graduates
• workers posted from EU or EFTA countries
• intra-corporate transferees
• or otherwise in exceptional cases

Different rules apply to every ground of employment that the alien and employer must fulfill. When applying, there might be a requirement to submit additional data or evidence.

When should I register the short-term employment of an alien?

Short-term employment may be registered if the alien is staying in Estonia legally and their term of employment is more than 5 days within one month and up to 365 days within 455 days. The registration of short-term employment does not give an alien a basis to stay in Estonia. In order to stay in Estonia, an alien must apply for a visa.

When is short-term employment permitted without registration of the short-term employment?

Short-term employment in Estonia without registration with the Police and Border Guard Board is permitted in certain exceptional cases, provided that the worker has a legal basis for the stay in the country. The right to work is granted, for example:

• for work lasting up to 5 days within a 30-day periood or
• if the worker is staying in Estonia during the permitted period following the expiry of their residence permit.

Migration advisers will assist you every step of the way. Ask a migration adviser.