Residence permit for an adult child to settle with a family member

What is a residence permit for settling with a family member?

A residence permit gives you the right to take up residence in Estonia at the invitation of a close family member who is an Estonian citizen or a foreigner residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit, in order to join the family member or to settle here jointly upon arriving together in Estonia. Upon the grant of a residence permit you shall be issued a residence card.

What is a residence card?

A residence card is a document proving your right of residence in Estonia, which also serves as your identity card. The residence card contains your personal details, residence permit details, photo and fingerprint images.

Who is a foreigner?

A foreigner is a person who is not a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Who needs a residence permit?

You can apply for a residence permit for an adult (more than 18 years of age) child, if the child

• is a foreigner
• is unable to cope independently due to their health status or disability.

What conditions must a parent of an adult child meet?

In order to apply for a residence permit for your adult child, you must meet the following conditions.

• You must be an Estonian citizen or an alien residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit.
• After receipt of the residence permit, your child must move to Estonia and you must register their place of residence in the Population Register.
• You must have sufficient income (double the subsistence level) for subsistence in Estonia, which you shall confirm by signing the application. The subsistence level shall be established each year in the State Budget Act.
• Your child must have a medical insurance policy, which shall be confirmed by signing the application. The requirements regarding the medical insurance policy are listed in section 120 (“Insurance cover”) of the Aliens Act.

For how long is a residence permit for settling with a family member granted?

A residence permit for settling with a family member is granted for up to five years, but not longer than for the period of validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

For how long may a residence permit for settling with a family member be extended?

A residence permit for settling with a family member may be extended for up to ten years at a time, but not longer than for the period of validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

What kind of restrictions should I take into account?

The period of validity of your residence permit shall depend on that of the residence permit of the person who invited you to Estonia (the sponsor), if they are not an Estonian citizen.

How can my family member who is a foreigner pay me a short-term visit in Estonia?

If a family member who is a foreigner wishes to pay you a short-term visit here, they must have a legal basis for the visit. A legal basis for visiting Estonia may be a visa or, for some countries, a visa-free agreement.