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Estonia digital nomad visa
  • By Travis Kliever
  • Updated October 20, 2023
Travis Kliever
Travis Kliever
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Travis is a global business development advisor. He has spent the last 14 years supporting business establishment and development in North America, Southeast Asia, and throughout the world. With multiple degrees from the University of Oregon, Travis currently splits his time between the US, and Bali, Indonesia. At RemotePad, Travis writes about remote work, hiring internationally and PEO/EOR business models.
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How to Get an Estonia Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements & Procedure

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Key Takeaways

  • Estonia has a range of different visas that permit foreign nationals to work in the country. Rather than distinct work visas, these are residency visas with an enabling condition permitting the individual in question to work in Estonia.  
  • The Digital Nomad visa in Estonia is a relatively new and unique visa that permits individuals to work in Estonia without a sponsor, if they are a remote worker. 
  • Businesses unsure of which Estonia visa to employ professionals on should consider seeing the advice of a global Employer of Record. 

Working remotely has become the norm for many professionals, both freelancers and those employed by an organization. With that, the digital nomad movement – working remotely whilst travelling overseas – is also becoming more widespread. Countries around the world are taking note; more than 50 nations worldwide now issue digital nomad visas. These visas allow you to work remotely for an employer outside of the country and let you remain in the country for longer than you can with a tourist visa.

One of the countries that now offers this visa is Estonia, which is known for innovative options like its e-Residency program that lets overseas professionals start online businesses registered in Estonia. If you’re interested in living in Estonia and experiencing its culture whilst you work, the digital nomad visa might be appealing to you. Read on to learn more about the Estonia digital nomad visa and how to apply for one

What is the Estonia digital nomad visa?

The Estonia digital nomad visa is a type of visa aimed at professionals who work remotely. It allows you to work remotely in the country for an employer based outside of Estonia, or for clients based outside of the country if you’re a freelancer. Estonia offers two types of visas for digital nomads. The type C digital nomad visa allows you to remain in the country for up to 90 days, whilst the type D digital nomad visa lets you stay for up to one year.

A digital nomad visa is different to a more traditional work or business visa and does not permit you to take up employment in Estonia. Business visas are aimed at professionals who are visiting a country for a brief period to conduct business and usually have a short validity similar to a tourist visa. A work visa allows you to find work in the country and may be valid for a period of years. It can sometimes be the first step towards permanent residency or citizenship.

It’s important to think carefully about your plans as a digital nomad so you can choose the right Estonian visa for you. If you plan to work from the country for less than 90 days you might be able to do so using only a tourist visa. It’s also worth noting that Estonia is a European Union (EU) member state and nationals of the other EU member states do not require visas to relocate to the country.

E-Residency vs Digital Nomad Visa (Image: Republic of Estonia E-Residency)

Digital nomad visa Estonia

How do I apply for the Estonia digital nomad visa?

You can apply for an Estonian digital nomad visa at your nearest Estonian embassy or VFS office. Individuals who are permitted to enter Estonia without a visa can also apply once they’re in the country at a police and border guard office. The entire process generally takes around 30 days to complete. If you want to apply then you need to meet certain criteria and submit a number of documents with your application. You can access the application form online, complete and print it, and then submit it with your documents at an appointment at the embassy or VFS office.

The criteria you need to meet in order to be eligible for the visa are:

  • You are over the age of 18
  • You work remotely
  • You are employed by a company based outside of Estonia
  • You can provide evidence that you work remotely or are a freelancer
  • You have a monthly salary of at least €3,504 ($3,758)

Which documents are required for the digital nomad visa?

You’ll need to submit a number of documents with your visa application. It’s important to understand what is required because an incomplete application may be rejected or delayed. A rejected application might also impact your ability to apply for another Estonian visa in the future. If you have any doubts about what is required, it’s advisable to contact your nearest Estonian embassy for information. 

The documents that you’ll need to provide are:

  • A passport valid for at least three months from when you travel and with at least two blank pages
  • Your completed application form
  • Two passport-sized photos
  • Your employment contract
  • A letter from your employer confirming that you wish to work remotely for them
  • Proof that you have sufficient finances – this is generally a bank statement from within the last six months
  • Proof of accommodation in Estonia
  • Proof of valid health insurance with coverage of at least €30,000

Working remotely in Estonia

Estonia is a prosperous European nation with a thriving digital economy, and this helps to make it an appealing option for remote workers. If you’re interested in staying in Estonia for an extended period whilst you work remotely, the digital nomad visas that the country offers might be the right choice for you. Carefully researching the country, the visa options that are open to you, and applying for your visa could mean that you’ll be working in Estonia soon.

FAQs

The cost of the digital nomad visa depends on which category you want to apply for. The shorter-stay category C visa costs €80, or $85. The category D visa costs €100, or $107.

Over 50 countries all over the world now offer visas aimed at remote workers and digital nomads. With the digital nomadism trend continuing to grow, it’s likely that more countries will begin to offer this type of visa in the future. Some of the countries that already offer this option are:

  • Spain
  • Iceland
  • Czechia
  • Barbados
  • Germany
  • The Bahamas
  • Dominica
  • Sri Lanka
  • Namibia
  • Italy

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