Residence permit for employment

What is a residence permit for employment?

A residence permit for employment is a temporary residence permit issued by the Police and Border Guard Board for working in Estonia. When a residence permit is granted, you will receive a residence permit card.

Useful information

• Guide for employee

Who needs it?

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

Grounds for employment:

• skilled workers (under general conditions)
• temporary agency workers
• seasonal workers (only short-term employment)
• top specialists
• members of the management body of a company
• experts
• clergy
• start-up employees
• scientists, lecturers
• teachers
• athletes
• creative workers
• EU Blue Card holders (only employment with a residence permit is possible)
• graduates of Estonian higher education institutions
• employees posted from the EU countries
• employees of international companies
• or other exceptional cases

Each ground for employment is subject to separate conditions that both the foreign national and the employer must comply with. When applying, there may be a requirement to provide additional information or evidence.

How long is a residence permit issued for?

A temporary residence permit is issued for up to 5 years.

How long can a residence permit be extended for?

A temporary residence permit may be extended for up to 10 years at a time.

What are the requirements for applying for a residence permit for employment in Estonia?

• You have the appropriate education, work experience, health, and the necessary professional skills and knowledge for the job.
• The employer is registered in Estonia.
• The employer pays you a salary that is at least equal to the average gross salary in Estonia (general requirement, subject to exceptions).
• The employer obtains a permit from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to recruit a foreign national for the position.
• You will settle in Estonia after receiving the residence permit and register your place of residence in the Population Register.
• Since 15th of July 2018 the requirement of Estonian language exam level A2 has been established. You must fulfill this requirement if you have lived in Estonia 5 years based on a temporary residence permit for employment, which has been issued since 15.07.2018, and you apply for an extension of the residence permit or a new residence permit for employment.

If you come to work in Estonia temporarily, your employer may also apply for the registration of your short-term employment.

* As of 01.01.2023, pursuant to the amendment to the Aliens Act, in the case of employment in a start-up company.

** As of 24.05.2022, with the amendment to the Aliens Act regarding the regulation of top specialists, there are no categories of employment to which the double salary criterion rate applies. This means that the double rate no longer applies to new applications for residence permits for employment or to applications for short-term employment. However, the double rate continues to apply to residence permits for employment and to short-term employment registrations that were issued by the Police and Border Guard Board before the entry into force of the respective amendment.

If no specific salary criterion rate applies to a residence permit or short-term employment right, the remuneration of the foreign national must allow for their subsistence in Estonia.

What do you need to do to apply for a residence permit for employment in Estonia?

1. Find a suitable job.
2. Submit the required documents and pay the state fee.
3. You will receive a response within 90 days, and the residence permit card will be issued within 30 days thereafter.

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