Chatbot
Estonia blends pristine nature with urban convenience. Come live where digital innovation meets a high quality of life, safety, and a rich cultural heritage.
Estonia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen agreement, so the EU’s visa policy applies. The type of visa you’ll need depends on how long you plan to stay in Estonia: a short-stay Schengen visa (C-type) or a long-stay national visa (D-type).
The website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has all the information you’ll need on visa applications, the EU visa policy, and long-stay visas. This includes visa requirements for business purposes and information on visa fees.
You can apply for a temporary residence permit for business:
To submit an application from abroad, turn to a foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia. If you have a legal basis for staying in Estonia, you can submit the application at the Police and Border Guard Board office. For that you need to make a reservation.
Estonia ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of sustainable development indicators that consider harmonious development of social, economic, and environmental areas. The country ranked 15th globally in the Sustainable Development Report 2024 and tops the Future of Emerging Europe report, focusing on the sustainability of countries in the region.
Estonia has a unique energy mix – the energy supply is dominated by domestically produced oil shale. This gives the country a high degree of energy independence and carbon intensity. The European Commission has approved supporting electricity production from renewable sources and efficient co-generation in Estonia. This will increase the share of renewable energy sources in the distribution of Estonian energy and help the transition to low CO2 emissions and a green economy in line with the European Green Deal.
The World Health Organization has ranked Estonia’s air as some of the cleanest in the world, along with countries like Finland and Iceland. Over half (51,3%) of Estonia’s land area is covered by forest, making it the 6th most forested nation in Europe. Nature reserves make up about 20% of Estonia’s wilderness, ensuring its preservation for the future. For a cleaner future, Estonians have initiated a Green Tiger – collaboration platform that is designed to boost environmental awareness and create a basis for a green economy.
Estonia is clean, safe, tech-savvy, and one of Europe’s most spacious countries. With a territory roughly matching that of the Netherlands, it is home to only 1.3 million people. So while you can easily find yourself miles away from another person, you’ll never be more than a 30-minute drive from a forest or lake. The air is some of the world’s cleanest, and according to Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, capital city Tallinn is among the top 20 safest cities in the world.
From online banking to e-school and digital prescriptions, most everyday tasks can be done digitally. Since 2024, 100% of government services are available online, making Estonia’s digital infrastructure one of the most advanced in the world.
To find out more about living in Estonia, visit the Work in Estonia website.
Wish to know what life is like in Estonia? The Life in Estonia Magazine covers all Estonian walks of life – from business and innovation to culture, design and tourism. The magazine focuses on in-depth coverage rather than short news value and is directed at all readers who want to get a real feel for life in this agile Northern country.
To get a printed copy of the magazine for free, please get in touch via e-mail [email protected]
Read the latest issue of the magazine here:
Find older issues of Life in Estonia Magazine here.
What is it like to run a business in Estonia? How to benefit from the e-solutions and the efficiency of our business culture? What are the opportunities in specific sectors? Who to partner up with?
The Estonian Investment Agency’s team is happy to help you via its complimentary e-Consulting service, organize online or offline follow-up events such as virtual investment visits and guide you through the fairly simple process of investing in Estonia.
