Work in Estonia

Moving to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. While it gives you the opportunity to meet new people, a new culture and climate, it is always good to know some basic facts about the country before relocating. This guide covers some basic facts about life in Estonia.

If you are looking for a country without bureaucratic hurdles need look no further than Estonia. Digital public services are fully embedded into the daily lives of individuals and organisations – a fact that has given Estonia the nickname “e-Estonia”. Moreover, it is the first country in the world to offer e-Residency – a solution that has attracted more than 55k+ e-residents.

Country overview

Estonia is one of Europe’s most sparsely populated countries. With a territory roughly matching that of the Netherlands, it is home to only 1.3 million people. Expats love Estonia because it is a fast-developing, technologically advanced and highly progressive society, considered the tech hub of Northern Europe. It is an attractive, clean and safe environment both for living and achieving your next career goals.

1. reasons why international specialists like to live in Estonia

2. introduction to Estonia

3. coming to Estonia - a relocation guide



Job offers

Check out the English-language job offers here. One of the most popular job markets in the tech sector.

• Platforms for jobseekers – The major websites where jobseekers can introduce themselves to perspective employers are cv.ee, cvkeskus.ee and tootukassa.ee. All are available in English. goworkabit.com advertises part-time work.

• Company websites – If you wish to work for a particular employer, we recommend you send your CV directly to them.

• Career fairs – The largest online job and career fair this year will take place on September 29th on the OnlineExpo platform. Additional career fairs can be found at toomess.ee.

• Facebook groups – Expat Jobs in Tallinn, Non-English Jobs in Tallinn/Estonia.

​According to Statistics Estonia, the plurality of job vacancies are in manufacturing, public administration and defence, education, and human health and social work.

Applying for a job in Estonia usually takes place through the aforementioned job sites. 

Should I include a picture of myself on my CV?

This is up to you. In Estonia, around half of all applicants add a photo to their CV.

Is the Europass CV form accepted?

The Europass CV form is accepted. Other popular interfaces include cv.ee and cvkeskus.ee.

Does my CV need to include my university diploma?

No, diplomas and certificates of competencies must be provided only if an employer requests them specifically.

What is the average time it takes to start a new job after submitting an application?

On averages between one to two months.

What kind of salary can I expect?

According to Statistics Estonia, the average salary in Estonia is 1,404 EUR. You can calculate salary/wage and taxes using this website. 

What are the average salaries in different sectors? 

You can compare the salaries available in different sectors at websites such as www.palgad.ee/en and  www.glassdoor.com/index.htm. 

Do I need to speak Estonian to get a job?

While some companies prefer Estonian and Russian speakers, others require only fluency in English.

Does the employer reimburse travel expenses to the interview?

If you are invited for an onsite interview, you could perhaps benefit from the Targeted Mobility Schemes coverage of travelling expenses (meeting all requirements). Find out how by getting in touch with yfej@tootukassa.ee.

During the Work in Estonia online fair we will provide useful information about Estonia, such as: 

• living and working in Estonia

• how to apply for the job

• presentation and interviews with employers

• services for returnees

• services for foreign nationals willing to come to Estonia

Estonia is beginning to open its doors following the COVID-19 pandemic

Estonia is admitting people from the European Union, the members of the Schengen area or the United Kingdom, who do not show symptoms of COVID-19. The compulsory self-isolation for people arriving in Estonia depends on whether the coronavirus infection rate in their country of arrival, where they have spent at least 14 days before departure, is higher than 16 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Anyone arriving in Estonia from a country with a higher infection rate must self-isolate for two weeks on arrival. Additional information is available at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Looking to employ talented professionals to fill your job vacancies? 

• Ready to extend your search for talent to include competent, qualified and motivated jobseekers from all over Europe?

Work in Estonia is an online recruitment event where Estonian employers can meet job seekers around the world. The online format is a great way for both parties to find a suitable job or a worker without a need for going to physical job fairs or recruitment events.

Join us at the Work in Estonia Online Fair with a European dimension, organised with the support of European Employment Services. 

August 31 |10:00 - 15:00 (Central Europe Time)

Registration is simple and can be done at the following link: www.europeanjobdays.eu/en/Work-Estonia-2020

Your participation is completely FREE OF CHARGE. Registration for exhibitors is open until Friday, 28 August 2020. The job fair will be conducted in English.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

• It is a simple way for your business to find talented jobseekers from abroad.

• Half of all jobseekers who attended our past online events were from EU countries (most of these were from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France) and half from outside the EU.

• Last year’s job fair was attended by 1355 people. The largest group of participants were 25–44 years old and university-educated with at least 5 years of work experience.

• It is open to all jobseekers, regardless of nationality or country of origin.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

1. Create/update your company profile by registering directly as an Exhibitor before 28.08.2020. This can be done by following the instructions described in this video.

2. Upload your English-language job vacancies, which can be viewed by thousands of jobseekers from around Europe. This can be done by following the instructions described in this video.

3. You can also choose to create a video introducing your company to perspective employees. This is recommended and not compulsory.

4. Schedule and conduct online recruitment interviews with pre-selected candidates on the event day (via “Chat” or Skype). This can be done by following the instructions described in this video.

Don’t hesitate to contact us by email – eures@tootukassa.ee.

In order to be able to work in any European countries you will still have additional legal obligations and administrative procedures to go through to get access to the European labour market. Here you can find the general information for non-EU nationals about working conditions in Estonia.

Define your profile and we will provide easy step-by-step guidelines that will help you move to Estonia: https://www.workinestonia.com/coming-to-estonia/

This video briefly introduces general information regarding residence permits and rights. If necessary, contact migration advisors: migrationadvice@politsei.ee.

An expert from a non-EU/EEA country has two options for obtaining the right to work in Estonia: registering for short-term employment or obtaining a residence permit for employment. 

1. If you want to come to Estonia for a short-term project (up to 1 year) or if you need to move quickly, short-term employment registration is the option for you. However, you can start working quickly with a short-term registration if you have legal grounds of residing in Estonia (visa freedom for up to 3 months for some countries or visa). Currently, citizens of 60+ non-EU countries (find the list on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) can reside here for up to 90 days without a visa.

What to consider? it is employer responsibility to register employee’s short-term employment with the Police and Border Guard Board. In most cases, registration of short-term employment takes up to 10 working days after submitting the application.

2. You can apply for a temporary residence permit in following cases:

For employment. The permit can be applied for to work for an employer registered in Estonia and for research or survey activities if the institution has been entered into the Register of Research and Development Institutions.

• You can simultaneously work for several employers on the prerequisite that you continue to work under the conditions set out in the residence permit.
• If your contract is terminated, you’ll lose the permit.
• If you find a new employer in Estonia, you have to get a new permit. You can stay in Estonia legally while you apply for a new permit.
• If your permit simply expires, your stay in Estonia will be legal for the next 90 days.

For study. And in case your residence permit expires, you can legally stay in Estonia for the next 270 days.

For settling permanently, if you have a degree from an Estonian university or have lived in Estonia for at least three years. This permit has the benefit of not being linked to a specific employer, so you can change jobs more easily (but you need proof of adequate income to apply).

You are allowed to work in Estonia with any of these permits.

For business Residence permit for entrepreneurship can be applied for if the person has holding a company or is self-employed and has:

• Invested at least 65 000 EUR of capital in the company`s activity in Estonia;
• As a self-employed person, has invested at least 16000 EUR in entrepreneurship in Estonia.

An investment can be considered a company`s equity capital, subordinated loan and registered fixed assets, among the rest.

Take note: a temporary residence permit allows you to live and work in Estonia and travel in the Schengen area without a visa.

Some non-EU nationals fall under the annual immigration quota. This includes non-tech employees and those not considered top specialists. Immigration quota for 2020 is full and therefore it recommend using foreign workers by registering their short-term employment and applying for a visa.

Estonia also has a Startup Visa program, which is meant for non-EU startup founders who wish to come and be a part of one of the smallest but liveliest startup communities in Europe as a founder. More information: startupestonia.ee/visa

For long-term stay, you’ll basically have two options: long-term (D) visa granted for up to 360 days and temporary residence permit for stays longer than 360 days.  You can apply for these before moving to Estonia at an Estonian foreign representation. Alternatively, you can submit your documentation for a temporary residence permit in person at the Police and Border Guard Board offices (you need to make an appointment). This should take around 2 months from the moment all documentation is correctly submitted.

Salary matters

When hiring a foreign employee, employer must usually pay a monthly gross salary that is at least equal to the latest annual average in Estonia, as published by Statistics Estonia (1404 euros in the 1st quarter of 2020). If a residence permit is issued without compliance with salary requirements, the salary must be sufficient for an employee’s subsistence in Estonia.

As there are many additional conditions established for foreigners` work in Estonia we suggest you take a time and follow the webinar (duration 1 hour) by chief expert at the Police and Border Guard Board, which covers the most up-to-date information up to May 29rd 2020 about the discussions around the Aliens Acts, processes of applying for or receiving documents in Estonia during the current coronavirus situation and more. Take note: Please note if you are watching this at a later time, please do check for recent updates or changes in the regulation first. For the latest information, see the PBGB website: /www.politsei.ee/en/ .