Working in Estonia

How can you come to work in Estonia?

• Visa-free, if your employer registers your short-term employment.
• With a visa, if your employer registers your short-term employment.
• By applying for a residence permit for employment.

What is short-term employment?

Short-term employment is suitable if you wish to work for a certain period while staying temporarily in Estonia. You can stay in Estonia with a visa or visa-free. Short-term employment is registered by your employer. You do not need to do anything yourself to register short-term employment.

• See the information sheet on the rights of seasonal workers

When can you work short-term in Estonia without registering short-term employment?

In certain exceptional cases, it is possible to work short-term in Estonia without registering the employment with the Police and Border Guard Board. This applies only if you are staying in the country legally.

You have the right to work without registration if:

• The work is very brief: The work lasts up to 5 days within a 30-day period.
• Post-permit period: You are staying in Estonia during the permitted period after your residence permit has expired.

For longer-term employment in Estonia, you will need a residence permit.