Estonia, a Northern European country, is an ideal choice for foreign nationals looking to work and settle abroad. Estonia consistently ranks among the countries with low corruption levels, making it a safe space for foreign professionals. With a GDP of $45 billion, Estonia is transforming into a global hub for the ICT sector (Information and Communication Technology), encouraging innovation and quality start-ups. The country’s advanced digital society, backed by a high quality of life, competitive salaries, and work-life balance, makes it a top consideration among skilled professionals looking to live and work in Estonia.
Capital: Tallinn | Population: ~1.37 million | Language: Estonian | Currency: euro (€) ≈ ₹103.04
*Want to apply for an Estonia work visa? Sign up with Y-Axis to help you with the process.
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| Particulars | Long-Stay (Type D) Visa | Temporary Residence Permit for Employment |
| Purpose | For temporary stays of more than 90 days (work, study, or family reunification) | For long-term extended work of more than 365 days |
| Education | No fixed qualifications required. Provide proof of degree or professional certificates. | A university degree or 5+ years of experience for highly-qualified worker permit. |
| Estonian Language | Not mandatory | Not required initially, but required during permit renewal. |
| Eligibility |
Non-EU/EEA national Valid job offer Employment contract Required skills & qualifications Sufficient funds Medical insurance Clean criminal record |
Valid employment offer Unemployment Insurance Fund approval Salary must match Estonian average annual wages Job must be in annual immigration quota |
| Typical Professions | ICT professionals, healthcare workers, manufacturing, construction, agriculture | IT, healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, teaching |
| Visa Fees | €100 adults | €40 children | €250 within Estonia & €280 at embassy |
The employment opportunities in Estonia are increasing with more vacancies for skilled professionals in in-demand sectors. There is a huge demand for professional roles in the IT, manufacturing, and business services, as well as a need for skilled trades professionals and those in labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture and construction.
The table below has the list of high-demand occupations in Estonia, along with the average annual salaries:
| Occupations | Average Salary per Year in Euro (€) |
| Engineering | € 65,000 |
| IT | € 75,000 |
| Marketing & Sales | € 60,000 |
| HR | € 50,000 |
| Healthcare | € 75,000 |
| Teachers | € 55,000 |
| Accountants | € 60,000 |
| Hospitality | € 50,000 |
| Nursing | € 68,000 |
Source: Talent Site
| S.No. | Company | Industry | Why It’s Good for International Talent |
| 1 | Wise (formerly TransferWise) | Fintech / Payments / Global Money Transfer | One of Estonia’s most valuable tech companies with a large international workforce. English is widely used and the company offers roles in engineering, analytics, finance, and product development. |
| 2 | Bolt | Mobility / Ride-Hailing / Delivery Tech | Estonia’s fastest-growing global tech company with operations in 45+ countries. Strong hiring across engineering, data, operations, and product roles, with English as the primary working language. |
| 3 | Nortal | IT Services / Digital Transformation / Consulting | A global technology and consulting firm working on e-government, healthcare, and enterprise projects. Hires skilled professionals from abroad and offers relocation-friendly roles. |
| 4 | Pipedrive | SaaS / CRM / Sales Technology | One of Estonia’s top SaaS companies with multinational teams. Offers opportunities in software development, QA, design, product management, and customer success. |
| 5 | Cybernetica | Advanced Tech / R&D / Secure Digital Systems | Known for contributing to Estonia’s digital identity systems. Ideal for specialists in cybersecurity, cryptography, engineering, and research roles. |
| 6 | SEB Bank Estonia | Banking / Finance / Tech | A major Nordic banking group with Estonia as a digital innovation hub. Actively hires in IT, data science, finance, and compliance. |
| 7 | Swedbank Estonia | Banking / Digital Services / Finance | Large employer with strong focus on digital banking and emerging fintech roles. Good options for foreign talent in IT, risk management, analytics, and customer operations. |
| 8 | Playtech | Gaming / iGaming / Software Development | One of the world’s largest iGaming technology companies. Hires global talent for software engineering, testing, R&D, and platform development. |
| 9 | Starship Technologies | Robotics / AI / Autonomous Delivery | A robotics innovator favorable for engineers, AI specialists, robotics developers, and operations professionals. |
| 10 | Veriff | Identity Verification / AI / Cybersecurity | Rapidly growing digital identity verification startup hiring in AI, ML, backend development, product, and fraud analytics. |
*Want to apply for jobs abroad? Try Y-Axis Job Search services to find the right one.
Step 1: Avail Job Search Services: Sign up with Y-Axis for expert counseling and customized job search assistance as per your profile to find the right job in Estonia.
Step 2: Get a Job Offer: With Y-Axis, you can connect with verified and registered Estonian employers to find jobs in Estonia with visa sponsorship for foreigners.
Step 3: Employer Registration: The employer in Estonia registers with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, with complete support from Y-Axis.
Step 4: Apply for a work visa in Estonia: You can fill out the Estonia visa application form online, along with the documents required. Y-Axis will guide you through the process.
Step 5: Fly to Estonia: Once your visa is approved, Y-Axis will assist you in preparing for travel, relocation, and the post-arrival procedure in Estonia.
Check Your Eligibility…
Estonia Work Permit – See how to apply and check your eligibility.
| Visa Type | Fees |
| Long-Stay (D) visa | € 100 |
| Temporary Residence Permit for Employment | Applying within Estonia: €96 Applying at a foreign representation: €125 |
Note: The Estonian work visa fee for Indians will also incur additional charges, including medical insurance, biometric fees, document translation costs, and other applicable charges depending on your case.
| Visa Type | Processing Time |
| Long-Stay (D) visa | 10–30 days |
| Temporary Residence Permit for Employment | 30–60 days |
Note: The timeline varies based on documentation completeness and immigration office workload.
Factors Influencing Processing Time:
You can convert your Estonian work visa to an EU Blue Card if you have a work/employment contract for a highly qualified job position in Estonia. Apply through the Police and Border Guard Board or a local Estonian consulate.
To qualify, you must meet these criteria:
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