I arrived in Estonia. What documents do I need?
This depends on your nationality (which country issued your passport) and the purpose of your visit (tourism, work, study, family, etc.).
If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Schengen Area
A citizen is someone who holds a passport or ID card from a country.
EU (European Union): 27 European countries that share economic and political agreements (e.g., Germany, France, Spain, Italy).
EEA (European Economic Area): The EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. These countries follow most EU rules.
Schengen Area: 26 European countries that have removed border controls (e.g., Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Finland).
If you are from one of these countries, you do not need a visa to enter Estonia.
You can stay up to 90 days within 180 days without any special permit.

What if I want to stay longer?
If you want to stay in Estonia for more than 90 days, you must:
✔ Register your residence at the local population registry office within 3 months.
✔ Obtain an Estonian personal identification code (like a social security number).
✔ Apply for an Estonian ID card at the Police and Border Guard Board within 1 month after registering.

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Schengen citizen (third-country national)
A third-country national is someone from outside the EU/EEA/Schengen zone, such as citizens of the USA, UK, India, China, Russia, Brazil, etc.

You can enter Estonia if you have:

A visa (short-stay Schengen visa or long-stay Estonian visa).
A residence permit (if you applied before arrival).
Visa-free entry (if your country has a visa waiver agreement with Estonia).
Do I need a visa? What types of visas exist?
A visa is a special permit that allows you to enter and stay in Estonia for a specific purpose.

A. Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C) – for stays up to 90 days
This visa allows travel within 26 Schengen countries, including Estonia.

✔ Tourist Visa – for sightseeing, vacations, or visiting friends.
✔ Business Visa – for business meetings, conferences (without taking a job).
✔ Medical Visa – for treatment at an Estonian hospital.
✔ Cultural/Sports Visa – for artists, musicians, and athletes attending events.

B. Long-Stay Visa (Type D) – for stays up to 12 months
This is for people who want to live, study, or work in Estonia for a longer period.

✔ Work Visa – if you have a job offer from an Estonian company.
✔ Student Visa – if you are enrolled at an Estonian university.
✔ Start-up Visa – for entrepreneurs starting a business in Estonia.
✔ Family Reunification Visa – for people joining family members in Estonia.

I want to live in Estonia long-term. What do I need?
If you want to stay for more than one year, you need a residence permit.

A residence permit is a legal document that allows non-EU citizens to live in Estonia.

Types of residence permits:
✔ Employment Residence Permit – if you have a work contract in Estonia.
✔ Entrepreneur Residence Permit – if you open a business in Estonia.
✔ Student Residence Permit – if you study at an Estonian university.
✔ Family Residence Permit – if your spouse, child, or parent lives in Estonia.
✔ Research Residence Permit – if you are working in science or education.

A temporary residence permit is usually valid for up to 5 years. If you live in Estonia for a long time, you can apply for permanent residence.

What is a visa waiver? Do I need a visa?
A visa waiver allows citizens from certain countries to enter Estonia without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
If your country is on Estonia’s visa-free list, you do not need a visa for short visits.
However, you cannot work or stay longer than 90 days without applying for a visa or residence permit.
Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to see if your country qualifies.

Who can help me with my visa or residence application?
For general migration help, contact the Police and Border Guard Board:
📞 Phone: +372 612 3500 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: www.politsei.ee
For visa-related information, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
🌍 Website: www.vm.ee

I am a refugee or seeking asylum. What should I do?
If you need international protection, you can apply for asylum in Estonia.
There are three types of international protection:
✔ Refugee status – for people fleeing persecution (war, political danger, human rights violations).
✔ Subsidiary protection – for people in danger but not meeting full refugee criteria.
✔ Temporary protection – for war refugees or crisis situations (such as Ukrainian refugees).
How to apply for asylum?
You can apply at the Estonian border or at the Police and Border Guard Board (Pärnu maantee 139, Tallinn).
The process takes up to 6 months.
While waiting, you may receive housing, legal aid, and financial support.
📞 For asylum-related questions:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +372 5300 3702

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