At MoveMyTalent, we feel that every relocation experience is special and deserves our full attention. We understand that relocation is a personal and life-changing event, therefore, we are committed to being there at every step of the way to provide a smooth and stress-free experience.
Non-EU national family members (spouse, registered partner, children) of an EU national are allowed to apply for the right of temporary residence in Estonia. The application can be submitted to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board or in some cases, already at the Estonian Embassy. When applying at the Police Board, the family member must have a valid legal ground to enter Estonia. After the right of residency permit is received, the post-residency steps (address, tax) can be completed online.
This booklet will guide you through the family member relocation process step-by-step so your experience would be as smooth as possible.
Arrival in Estonia
| SUMMARY: Border control is usually done at the first entry point to the Schengen area, so in case of transiting in a Schengen country, there might be no border control in Tallinn. |
Healthcare
For info about the healthcare system in Estonia, check the Estonian Health Insurance Fund website.
Under the national healthcare system, each person can have a dedicated family doctor who is the first point of contact for non-urgent medical care. Again, in order to register with one, as a general rule, the Estonian residence permit process and address registration must be completed. To register with a family doctor, an application should be submitted to a family medicine clinic in their residency area. Sometimes it is also possible to register with a family doctor if the spouse is covered by private health insurance.
In case it is difficult to find a doctor to register with, or in case of non-urgent medical care is required before the residency address registration process is completed, we recommend using a private provider called Salu. All consultations with Salu begin online, and based on their statistics around 80% of all medical needs are solved there as well. Salu doctors can help to open sick leave from work on the same day and prescribe or renew prescription medicine online. The average response time on the platform is 15 minutes. If needed, their doctors are also ready to meet you in person (their clinic is located in Tallinn city center).
If the family member has acquired ERGO health insurance, we highly recommend using one of ERGO’s partner facilities listed on their site here in case of any health concerns. Tallinn clinics and hospitals can be found under “Harjumaa” and primary care providers listed there are SinuArst and Qvalitas, for example.
In case urgent medical assistance is required you can call an ambulance (112) or if not critical enough to call an ambulance, any hospital Emergency Room will accept patients (find the closest ER here). An identity document (i.e. a passport) should always be brought along when visiting a medical facility.
Dental procedures are in most cases covered by national health insurance for children up to the age of 19. Dentist visits and procedures are not covered by national health insurance for adults.
For any non-urgent medical questions, call the free doctors’ information hotline 1220 from 15:00-16:00 daily in English.
Estonian personal identification code
The Estonian personal identification code is a unique 11-digit code that will remain the same throughout your life and is used in healthcare, taxes, education, social services, banking etc. Find out more about the ID code here.
The employed family member will receive their Estonian ID code already with their short-term employment registration confirmation. The family member accompanying the employee will receive their ID code with the temporary residence permit card (noted on the back of the card).
As a rule, it is not possible for non-EU nationals to apply for a personal ID code separately. In some cases, it may be justified to apply for the ID code before receiving the TRP card (for example, for healthcare purposes). Applications can be submitted at the International House of Estonia (recommended option) and at the Vital Statistics Department.
Relocation guide and career counseling
This guide here helps with practical aspects your family member may come across while relocating, living and working in Estonia. It’s possible to also turn to the International House of Estonia for information and consultations.
Career counselling for international spouses is available for free. You can read more about it here. Periodically, the International House of Estonia organizes dedicated courses for spouses who have moved to Estonia to accompany a spouse who has started employment here. The programme includes training sessions, networking meetings, and individual consultations, aiming to help spouses “re-invent” their professional paths in Estonia. For information about when and how to sign up for the programmes, we recommend following the International House of Estonia Facebook page or bookmarking their webpage.
Unemployment registration
It is possible for the unemployed spouse to officially register as unemployed after receiving the Estonian residence permit and registering the residency address. Everything related to submitting the unemployment registration application can be found on the Unemployment Insurance Fund website here.
The application can be submitted via the e-service portal (on the top right-hand side choose ‘E-töötukassasse’ and use the ID card to log in. If the site comes up in Estonian, change the language settings at the top of the page. Once logged in, click on ‘Registration’ and the site for submitting the registration will open up. The application can also be submitted at one of their offices in person. All of the Tallinn branches are listed here. If attending one of the offices, the passport and Estonian residence permit card should be brought along.
Unemployed persons registered with the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund are entitled to national health insurance coverage. After the unemployment registration has been completed and confirmed, health insurance coverage for a registered unemployed person will begin from the 31st day after the registration.
Communities
Check out a list of International Groups and Expat communities to connect with locals and other internationals. To socialize with the locals, volunteering is one of the good ways to get involved!
Right of temporary residence of a family member of an EU citizen
| BACKGROUND INFORMATION: A right of temporary residence grants the non-EU national family member the right to stay and work in Estonia long-term (more than a year). It is possible to apply in person at the Police and Border Guard Board in Estonia (or in some instances at the Estonian Embassy). By law, the right of residence decision takes up to 3 months to be issued from the submission of documents. During the processing of the permit, the family member’s stay is legal in Estonia. |
| WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: It can be done here (No. 5 Applying for or extending the right of residence granted to EU citizens or their family members) already before arrival in Estonia as the appointments in Tallinn offices are mostly full. The documents can be submitted at other offices as well if needed. The family member can submit their application after the sponsoring employee has registered their address. PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS– below you can find the list of documents required to be filled and submitted in person at the pre-booked appointment. ATTEND THE APPOINTMENT AND SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTS– follow this guide (PART 3) (TRP PPA) to know more about taking the document photo at the Police Board and what to expect during the submission. The sponsoring spouse should attend the appointment together with the applying family member. After submission, the family member will receive a confirmation that docs have been submitted. PROCESSING– will take up to 3 months after submission. During that time the Police Board (Politsei) might ask some additional questions via email. DECISION– The decision will be sent via email to the sponsor with the Settle In Estonia program info. RECEIVING THE RESIDENCY CARD– The Police Board will send an automatic email once the card is ready to be collected. The family member can collect the card showing their passport without a prior appointment at the service office that was added to the application. NEXT STEPS– Participate in the Settle in Estonia program, address and tax residency registration. |
ADDITIONAL INFO AND FAQ:
What is the right of temporary residence?
The right of temporary residence grants the non-EU national family member the right to stay and work in Estonia on a long-term basis (more than a year) and it can either be temporary or permanent. Generally, it is possible to apply for the permanent right of residence after residing in Estonia based on a temporary right of residence for at least 5 years. It is possible to apply for the right of residence once the EU national sponsoring the permit has registered their address in Estonia at the Population Registry.
What are the requirements to apply for the right of temporary residence?
It is allowed to apply for the right of temporary residence if you are a family member of an EU national who is:
- Working in Estonia as an employee or self-employed (FIE) person; or
- Who has sufficient funds for the subsistence themselves and their family members and has Estonian medical insurance (Tervisekassa); or
- Who studies in Estonia and has sufficient funds for the subsistence of themselves and their family members and has Estonian medical insurance (Tervisekassa).
Where are the documents submitted?
Most commonly, the documents are submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board in Estonia. However, in some cases, it is also possible to submit the documents at the Estonian Embassy. In order to submit the right of residence permit documents, a prior appointment is required.
Required documents for the TRP to reside with a SPOUSE application:
- Right of the temporary residence application form. Download the form here, fill it out in your computer, print the PDF and sign it in the required places. The date field has to be filled with the date of the appointment.
- Close family members’ data form. Download the form here, fill it out in PDF, print it and sign at the bottom of the page. The date field has to be filled with the date of the appointment. On the family members form, include information about spouses, parents, siblings, and children – even if they are not moving to Estonia with them. If any of their close relatives are no longer alive, information about them doesn’t have to be included. If the data about the close relatives doesn’t fit on one page, fill out multiple pages.
- Printed booking confirmation which was received when making the appointment booking.
- Up-to-date English language CV, listing all of their previous work and education history (from elementary education) with start and end dates and names of the relevant institutions.
- Proof of TRP application state fee payment of 31€. Find out about payment options here.
- The spouse’s valid passport/ID. The official makes a copy and they do not have to leave it to the Police Board.
- The original apostilled or legalized marriage certificate translated into Estonian or English. The official makes a copy and they do not need to leave it at the Police Board.
- EU citizens confirmation. Signed by the sponsor, i.e. the employed family member. The date needs to be the date of the appointment. Download the form here.
- Sponsor cover letter- The employed family member should write a letter stating that they will support the family member financially during the family’s stay in Estonia. The letter should include information about the employed family member’s role in the Estonian company and their monthly salary. It should also be stated that the sponsor confirms to cover the cost of private health insurance for the spouse at all times when the national insurance does not apply by law.
- Digital passport-style photo- taken at the Police Board;
- Confirmation of private health insurance*– not an official document but in practice, may be asked.
What happens after the submission of documents?
After the submission of documents, the applicant will receive a confirmation on paper from the Police Board stating that the application has been submitted. Among other info, it will state the personal details, application number and the latest date when, by law, the Estonian right of residence permit card will be issued (up to 4 months from submission of documents).
How long is the process?
The processing time for the right of residence can be, by law, up to 3 months and the applicant will be notified via email once the decision has been made. By law, after receiving the decision, the right of residence permit card can take up to 1 month to be issued. In practice, it will be issued within 7-10 days.
After receiving the decision via email, the second email is notifying when the card has been sent for printing and the final email confirms that the card is ready for collection.
During the processing, the applicant can legally stay in Estonia even if the visa/visa freedom ends. In case the applicant’s stay is expiring they may only reside in Estonia and can’t travel within Schengen.
How can I collect the right of residence permit card?
Once the card is ready for collection, you will receive an email and simply have to go to the Police Board office with your original passport and obtain a number for ‘collecting a document’ to pick up your Estonian right of residence permit card. No prior appointment is needed for that.
What will be the validity of the right of temporary residence?
The duration of the right of temporary residence will be decided by the Police Board and it can be granted for up to 5 years at first. The maximum duration for validity will be in line with the right of residence for the EU national sponsoring the permit, which is usually 5 years.
The right of residence is linked to the EU citizen family member. In case the ground of the right of residence permit is lost and/or the EU national sponsoring the permit no longer meets the conditions, the Police Board has the right to terminate the permit.
What are the possibilities of the right of residency card?
The right of residence permit card comes with PIN-codes. These are extremely important and confidential as with the PIN-codes you are able to log into the Estonian state portal eesti.ee, online bank, etc, and sign documents digitally using an ID-card reader. Having the Estonian right of residence permit card allows all the other required legal steps to be completed digitally. Please read more about the possibilities of the card here and info about digital signing is available here.
Additional information
- Find out more info here about the right of temporary residence process.
- The right of residency grants the spouse the right to work in Estonia with no restrictions.
- During the application processing time, the spouse is not allowed to work without a prior employment registration by the employer.
- Once the application has been submitted, the stay in Estonia will be legal until the decision about the right of residence has been made.
- If the permit expires upon the lapse of the validity period, the stay in Estonia shall be legal for 90 days following the expiry date of the right of residence permit validity.
*Health insurance for spouse– This should be a long-term insurance that covers medical costs while in Estonia. From Estonian providers, we can recommend Ergo, for example.
If the spouse happens to have another insurance already (e.g. regular travel insurance), the Ergo policy can start from the time the other insurance expires. It is important to have the proof for approximately one year.
In case the spouse raises a child under 8 years old or three children under 16, it is possible to register as a dependant spouse and get national health insurance coverage after registering the address (next step). In this case, we can help to prepare an explanation letter to cover this and the health insurance coverage should cover the residence permit process + approx 90 days.
In case the spouse raises a child upto 3 years old, it is possible to apply for national health insurance together with social allowances. In this case, we can help to prepare an explanation letter to cover this and the health insurance coverage should cover the residence permit process + approx 90 days.
In case the spouse registers as unemployed or takes up employment in Estonia, the national health insurance also applies. However, as this can not be proven in advance, the Police Board still requires to see the long-term private insurance. Later on, the private insurance can be cancelled based on the insurance policy cancellation rules.
Residency address registration
| SUMMARY: The residency address should be registered in the Population Registry within 30 days of collecting the right of residence card. Follow the guide here to complete the registration. Signed proof of residency (rental agreement/owner’s consent) is required for the registration. If registering the address of a child, consent from both parents is required. The registration process will take up to 10 days to be completed after the submission of documents. In case of changing addresses/leaving Estonia in the future, the process has to be repeated again. |
| WHAT YOU CAN DO: CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO REGISTER– follow the guide here and choose the best way to register (e-Population Registry, via email). If you have a signed rental agreement, make a scan or a copy of it to complete the process. In case someone other than the owner has signed the contract if registering via email, all the owners should sign the contract/consent form. COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION– If registering via email, up to 4 people can be included in one registration form. If registering online via the e-Population Registry, spouses and children can be registered by one adult. LINK THE TRP CARDS TO TRANSPORTATION CARDS ONCE REGISTRATION IS CONFIRMED. |
ADDITIONAL INFO AND FAQ:
What is address registration?
Address registration in the Population Registry is mandatory for anyone living in Estonia. Having your data in the registry grants you the right to use public services in Estonia such as having a family doctor, using free public transportation (in Tallinn), social benefits (if applicable), etc.
Required documents for the residency registration via email:
- A copy of a document that shows your right to use the property (i.e. signed rental agreement, owner’s written and signed consent). If the property has multiple owners, you will need consent from all of them. If someone else signs the rental agreement (e.g. a broker), it is required to add the Power of Attorney from the owner to the signee;
- An application form that is signed digitally using the Estonian residence permit card.
- If registering a child’s address and the other parent is not (being) registered to that property, the other parent will need to give their (verified) consent for the process – either via digital signature or notarized consent.
What happens after the address registration?
After the address is registered, public services available in that area will apply to the person. These include registering with a family doctor, social benefits (if applicable), free public transport in Tallinn (after personalizing the public transportation card – more info here), enrolling children in public school/kindergarten etc. The transportation card can be personalised for adults and children over the age of 7.
Additional information
If you would like to understand more about address registration, check here.
Tax residency registration
| SUMMARY: When a foreigner’s stay in Estonia exceeds 183 days or when they become a resident in Estonia (after registering the address), they also become a tax resident in Estonia EVEN if not working. To notify the Tax Board about the change, a Tax Residency Form R should be submitted via email or online. Once an Estonian tax resident, all worldwide income should be declared in Estonia. The same deductions can be used as apply to other residents. If earning less than €2100 gross per month, a tax-free minimum applies. If one of the spouses is not working, they can transfer their tax incentives to the employed spouse. More info here. Upon moving away from Estonia, the Tax Board should be notified by submitting the Tax Form R again. |
| WHAT YOU CAN DO: ONCE THE ADDRESS IS REGISTERED, TAX RESIDENCY CONDITIONS ARE MET. PREPARE THE TAX RESIDENCY FORM R IN PDF OR ONLINE– follow the guidelines here to complete Form R. SUBMIT THE FORM– either a digitally signed PDF via email or online in the online Tax Board. PROCESS– after submission, it may take up to 10 days to be completed. You might not be automatically notified about the change so you need to check it in the online system. Use the guide here to find out how. CONFIRMATION– it should be stated in the online Tax Board system once a person is registered as a tax resident in Estonia. SUBMIT THE TAX DECLARATION– In March following the year one becomes a tax resident in Estonia, the online tax declaration should be completed to get back any overpaid tax during the time the registration was not completed yet. |
ADDITIONAL INFO AND FAQ:
What is tax residency?
Generally, individuals are taxed based on two principles – based on their residency and based on the source of income. The residency principle gives a country unlimited taxation rights on the worldwide income of that individual.
Submitting the Personal Income Tax Return in Estonia
A tax resident is required to submit the income tax return if they have any tax deductions to claim or some additional income (any foreign employment income, rental income, profit from selling stocks, etc) to declare. The deadline for submitting the tax return is at the end of April-early May each year. More info on when and how to submit the income tax return here.
Additional information