Estonia – Employed worker

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as an employed worker in Estonia? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

To settle in Estonia with the purpose of working as an employee you can apply for a temporary residence permit for employment or register for short-term employment.

1. Temporary residence permit for employment

Where and how to apply

You can apply for a residence permit at the Estonian embassy or consulate or in case you are legally staying in Estonia (e.g. with a visa) at the Police and Border Guard service.

As a general rule, the employer must pay a salary that is at least equal to the latest annual gross monthly average wage in Estonia last published by Statistics Estonia. There are exceptions to this requirement.

Employer obligations
Your employer must contact the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to obtain permission and the Fund must give its consent.

The consent of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund is not needed for certain categories of workers.

Documents requiredYou must have the qualifications, training, health, work experience, special skills and knowledge required for the job. For more information on required documents can be found on the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board.
Refusal

In general, the temporary residence permit can be refused in the following circumstances:

  • non-compliance with the requirements;
  • the annual immigration quota is filled;
  • non-payment of tax by the employer;
  • a sentence has been imposed on the employer for allowing illegal employment;
  • non-compliance by the employer with the obligation to inform about changes in the conditions of employment and the termination of a contract;
  • justified reasons to doubt the trustworthiness of the employer;
  • The salary does not guarantee your subsistence in Estonia.
Further requirementsYou must register your place of residence in the Population Register within a month of your arrival.
Duration of validity of permitsA temporary residence permit for employment is granted for a maximum period of five years, renewable for a ten-year period.
AppealsAppeals can be brought to administrative courts or a challenge may be filed against decisions to refuse a temporary residence permit within ten days from the date of notification of the decision. A decision on the challenge may be contested in an administrative court within the same term.
Further information

More on temporary residence permits for employment

More on employer obligations

 

2. Short-term employment

Where and how to apply

You must comply with the following conditions:

  • Your employment must be registered by the employer with the Police and Border Guard Board before the employment commences. A written confirmation will be issued to confirm the registration for short-term employment.
  • You should have legal basis for temporary stay in Estonia or you should apply for a visa at the Estonian embassy or consulate in your country of origin or residence, unless you are exempt from the visa requirement.
  • As a general rule your salary must ensure your subsistence. It must be at least equal to the most recent annual average gross monthly salary last published by Statistics Estonia.
  • You have to comply with the requisite qualifications, training, sate of health, work experience and the necessary professional skills and knowledge to assume the position.

The employer has to be registered in Estonia.

Duration of validity permitsIf you are registered for short-term employment, you can work for a maximum of 365 days within 455 consecutive days unless otherwise provided by law.
Further information

More on short-term employment

More on getting a long-stay visa

Long-term residence 

After five years of continuous residence on the basis of a residence permit, you may apply for a long-term residence permit at the Police and Border Guard services.

You must submit your application no later than two months before expiry of your valid residence permit and fulfil the following conditions:

  • You have registered your residence in the Population Register of Estonia;
  • You have a valid residence permit;
  • You have a permanent legal income for subsistence;
  • You have a health insurance;
  • You comply with integration requirements i.e. pass a test of the Estonian language at least at B1 level if you are 15-65 years old and you do not have restricted active legal capacity.

More on long-term residence permits

Change of employment

A residence permit for employment sets out the conditions under which you are permitted to work.
If you have been granted a residence permit for employment you may be employed by several employers concurrently following the conditions determined in the residence permit for employment.

If you have been issued a residence permit for employment you are allowed to take employment in another post at the same employer provided that other conditions determined in the residence permit do not change and the same professional and qualification requirements are required in the other post.
You must notify any change in the conditions of employment as defined in the residence permit for employment to the Police and Border Guard Board.

Your residence permit granted will not be annulled within 90 days as of the day of becoming unemployed if the employer cancels the employment contract extraordinarily for economic reasons.

Change of status

You can change status and may apply for a new residence permit (also for grounds other than employment) at the Police and Border Guard Board.

No information available at the moment.

Rreth Nesh

Institucione

VLP në Administratën Publike

© Copyright Agjencia Kombëtare e Punësimit dhe Aftësive. Të gjitha t drejtat e rezervuara.

Kategori përmbledhëse