Employee Relocation to Estonia

You can consider relocating employees to Estonia as a foreign company, but it is important to know that the process differs according to the nationality of the employee. Our immigration lawyers in Estonia can assist you with personnel relocation to the country.

Who can work in Estonia?

EEA and Swiss citizens may work in Estonia without a work permit (but with granted residency rights), while non-EU or third-country nationals require a visa and residence permit issued specifically for this purpose. Our lawyers in Estonia can assist with residence permit applications.

Can any company relocate staff to Estonia?

Yes. There are no specific conditions for corporations to employ a minimum number of Estonian citizens or to only hire foreign staff if the position cannot be filled by an Estonian.

Short- and long-term foreign staff employment is possible, and it takes place at the company’s discretion, according to its internal evaluations concerning a candidate’s potential within the company.

What are the employer’s obligations?

Our team describes some of the most important issues to take into account for those interested in employee relocation in Estonia, or otherwise hiring foreign staff in the country:

• The employer is responsible for verifying that the individual has the right to work and stay in Estonia;
• The hiring company may also be responsible for providing proper accommodation (at least initially) and receiving the person in Estonia;
• The employer may also be the one to compensate the worker for their costs to leave Estonia.

In all cases, a company hiring foreign staff in Estonia must notify the authorities.

What conditions apply to companies that hire foreign staff in Estonia?

The hiring company must:

• Be properly registered with the Estonian Business Register;
• Perform the necessary due diligence on the candidate (ensure that they have the relevant qualifications for the position);
• Meet the salary standards: pay at least the average gross salary (with a few exceptions);
• Obtain the relevant permission to hire a foreign national from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

The company/employer’s representative is also liable for submitting the application for the short-term registration of a foreign national. They must notify the Police and Border Guard Board of any changes that occur in terms of their employment.

What documents are required for employee relocation in Estonia?

The general documents that apply for registering a foreign worker include:

• The application for registration in the case of short-term workers;
• The application for a temporary residence permit in the case of long-term staff;
• The employees’ identity document;
• One digital and coloured photograph;
• Proof of state fee payment;
• Other documents or information as may be required on a case-by-case basis.

The documents required for application may vary depending on the duration of the employment agreement (i.e., short-term employment versus a long-term one).

How can I relocate employees to Estonia from an EU country?

Relocating personnel to Estonia with citizenship from an EU country is more straightforward. Upon arrival in the country, the employee can start living and working in Estonia without the need for additional paperwork.

However, if the employee must stay in the country for more than three months, there are a few additional steps in the relocation process that our immigration lawyers in Estonia can assist you with:

• The Estonian ID code;
• Address registration;
• Estonian ID card;
• Tax registration.

How can I relocate employees to Estonia from a non-EU country?

When relocating personnel to Estonia, you must first check the list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the countries whose citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.

The first step is registering your employee’s short-term employment, which serves as proof of future employment in Estonia. Next, the employee must apply for a long-stay D-visa in person at an Estonian Embassy. This visa will grant him/her permission to work legally in the country.

It is very important that your relocated employee in Estonia applies for a temporary residence permit in person at the Police and Border Guard Board within his/her first month in the country. Afterward, he/she must have permanent accommodation and register the address within about 30 days. After the residence address is registered, your employee will need to register the tax residency in Estonia.

Employees with countries of origin from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list do not need a visa but still need the short-term employment registration, a temporary residence permit, address registration, and tax residency declaration. 

Please contact our Estonian law firm for relocating employees to the country.