Residence permit for a permanent resident

What is a long-term resident’s residence permit?

The long-term resident’s residence permit is issued for permanent residence in Estonia. When a residence permit is granted, you will receive a residence permit card.

What is a residence permit card?

A residence permit card is a document that certifies your right to reside in Estonia and also serves as your identity card. The card contains your personal details, residence permit information, photograph, and fingerprint images.

What documents are required to apply for a long term residence permit in Estonia?

When applying for a residence permit in Estonia, you need to submit:

• Application for permanent residence permit, completed in block letters
• Data concerning close relatives and family members, completed in block letters only if the information has changed
• Biographical data
• Additional form
• Identity document
• Digital photo
• proof of payment of the state fee, such as a payment order.

How long is a residence permit issued for?

A long-term resident’s residence permit is issued with permanent validity.

Who needs it?

You need a residence permit in Estonia if you are not a citizen of a European Union member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

When can you apply for a long-term resident’s residence permit?

You can apply for the residence permit if:

• you have resided in Estonia for 5 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit immediately prior to submitting your application
• you hold a valid temporary residence permit
• your place of residence is registered in the Population Register
• you have a stable legal income to live in Estonia
• you have health insurance with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund
• you have met the integration requirement and have knowledge of the Estonian language at least at level B1 or an equivalent level.

Special conditions apply when applying for a residence permit if you are a child under 15 years of age, hold an EU Blue Card, have a temporary residence permit for study, settled in Estonia before 1 July 1990, or previously held Estonian citizenship.

How to meet the integration requirement?

Your Estonian language skills are assessed in an exam. See information about taking the exam.

If you have obtained basic, secondary or higher education in Estonian, you do not need to take the exam. Individuals under 15, over 65, or with limited active legal capacity are exempt from the language requirement.

A migration consultant is available to help you every step of the way. Seek advice from a migration consultant.