Guidance

Living in Estonia

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Estonia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
11 November 2013
Last updated
14 November 2025 — See all updates

Getting help with living in Estonia

Help from the Estonian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Estonia, you may be able to get help from the:

The UK government and the British Embassy in Tallinn cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Estonia.

Professional help in Estonia

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Estonia, including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Estonia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Estonia. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Estonia before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Estonia.

You can get a visa to:

  • work, including as a digital nomad
  • study
  • live with family in Estonia
  • invest or start a business in Estonia
  • do research

For more information, read the:

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to register your address in Estonia. Read the Estonian Ministry of the Interior’s guidance on residence procedures.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board migration consultants for information on how to:

  • extend your visa or residence permit
  • replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit

You can also read the Estonian government’s guidance on extending a temporary residence permit.

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Estonia if you have lived there legally for at least 3 years on a non-student resident permit.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board’s guidance on:

Citizenship

Estonia does not recognise dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Estonian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Estonian citizenship:

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Tallinn cannot help with Estonian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

Residency if you moved to Estonia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Estonia before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence documents if you moved to Estonia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Estonia before 1 January 2021, make sure you have an ‘Elamisloakaart’ residence document. This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Read the Estonian Ministry of the Interior’s Brexit guidance for more information on this residence document.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit system (EES), you’ll need an ‘Elamisloakaart’ residence document when entering or leaving Estonia. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Estonia or other Schengen countries. 

If you do not have a residence document

If you were living in Estonia before 1 January 2021, but do not have a residence document, you must apply for one. You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

To find out how to apply:

If your application is successful, you’ll get a biometric residence document called an ‘Elamisloakaart’.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal. Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Estonia.

For more information on how to apply or appeal, read the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board’s guidance on contesting a decision.   

Renewing your residence document if you moved to Estonia before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew your residence document before it expires. Read the Estonian government’s guidance on extending a temporary residence permit.

Contact the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board migration consultants for information on how to renew your residence permit.

Bringing family members to Estonia if you moved there before 1 January 2021

Our guidance on your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement explains which family members can join you in Estonia.

The Estonian Ministry of the Interior’s Brexit guidance explains how and when your family members should apply for their residence document.

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad
  • travel urgently without your British passport

If you have an Estonian residence permit or long stay visa, the time you spend in Estonia does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport, residence document or residence permit when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Estonia using your EU or EFTA passport.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Estonia, and who have a valid biometric residence permit card (‘Elamisloakaart’) do not need to register with the EES.

If you were legally resident in Estonia before 1 January 2021, but do not have an Article 50 ‘Elamisloakaart’, contact the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board migration consultants for information on how to get one.

For more information about the EES, read:

Healthcare in Estonia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare
  • take medicine abroad

You must register for healthcare as a resident in Estonia. Where necessary, you may also need to register with a health insurance provider.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in Estonia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Estonia, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Estonia for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you. 

You can also read the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board’s guidance on working in Estonia as a foreign national.

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Estonia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

If needed, you can get a record of your employment history in Estonia on the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s online self-service portal.

If you live in Estonia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Estonia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in Estonia

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

The Estonian Transport Administration provides information on driving licences and the right to drive in Estonia, including:

For more information, read guidance on:

Driving in Estonia using a foreign driving licence

If you become a resident in Estonia, you can drive for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:

  • the UK
  • Gibraltar
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Estonia.

Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey or Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 12 months, you must exchange your driving licence. The Estonian Transport Authority’s guidance on using a foreign driving licence in Estonia explains how to exchange your licence.

In most cases, you can exchange your licence without taking a driving test. If you have an Isle of Man licence, you’ll need to take a test.

You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Estonian licence to drive legally. 

Applying for an Estonian driving licence

You cannot exchange your driving licence if:

  • it expired more than 5 years before you present it for exchange
  • it’s lost, stolen or destroyed
  • you have been resident in Estonia for more than 12 months

If any of these apply, you’ll need to apply for an Estonian driving licence. You’ll need to pass the Estonian theory and practical driving tests.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for an:

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Estonia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Estonia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Estonian Tax and Customs Board for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Estonia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Estonia.

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK state pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming an Estonian pension

Contact the Estonian Social Insurance Board to find out whether you can claim an Estonian pension.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming Estonian benefits

You may be entitled to some Estonian benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:

Buying and renting property in Estonia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Estonia if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Estonia

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

Estonian elections 

UK nationals cannot vote in Estonian elections.

You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

For more information, read the Estonian government’s guidance on the right to vote in Estonia. 

Studying in Estonia

If you plan to study in Estonia, you must meet all visa and residence permit requirements before you travel.

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Estonia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information, read guidance on:

You can also contact:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad
  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

You can also read the Estonian government’s guidance on family benefits and allowances in Estonia.

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Estonia.

All children aged 7 to 17 must attend school or home school in Estonia.

For more information, read the Estonian government’s guidance on pre-school, basic and secondary education in Estonia.

Childcare

Local governments are responsible for childcare services in Estonia. All children aged 18 months to 7 years are entitled to pre-school education in Estonia.

For more information, read guidance on early childhood education and care in Estonia.

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Estonia, register the birth with the Estonian authorities.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Estonia, read guidance on:

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad. 

The Estonian government provides information on:

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership. 

The Estonian government offers guidance on divorce in Estonia.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Estonia.

Documents for British people in Estonia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Estonia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Estonia, read guidance on:

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Estonia through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Estonian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 11 November 2013
Last updated 14 November 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  2. Information on the EU's new digital border called the Entry/Exit System has been added under "Passports and travel".

  3. Information on mental health support added under "Emergencies" .

  4. Full guide review.

  5. Additional information of how to apply for Estonian residence permit.

  6. Important information in the 'Working in Estonia' and 'National insurance' sections if you work in Estonia, even if it is for an employer based in the UK.

  7. Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on driving, national insurance and social security contributions, and emergencies.

  8. Guidance reviewed and updated with new information, including Passports and travel, and driving.

  9. Guidance reviewed for people who are moving or moved to Estonia after 1 January 2021. Following the residency application deadline, it also includes sub-sections relevant to people living there since before 1 January 2021.

  10. New information on residence card permit process and deadline added to visas and residency section

  11. Healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Estonia section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services; and education section updated with link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

  12. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  13. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, driving, pet travel and moving to Estonia.

  14. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

  15. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

  16. Driving section updated to include further information on exchanging a UK driving licence.

  17. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

  18. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

  19. Brexit update: Driving section updated to reflect new transition period to exchange UK driving licences

  20. Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

  21. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

  22. EU Exit update: added information about EEA and EFTA countries to the "Passports and travel after EU Exit" section

  23. EU Exit update: Updated information on passports and travel, pensions and returning to the UK.

  24. EU Exit update: updated information on healthcare, visas and residency, passports and travel

  25. EU Exit update: Added a link to the dedicated Brexit web page of the Estonian Ministry of Interior in the EU Exit section

  26. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

  27. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

  28. EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare

  29. EU Exit update: Added information about the next outreach event in Estonia

  30. EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving

  31. EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

  32. All content has been reviewed to ensure it's accurate and up to date.

  33. Advice on UK old age state pension added under healthcare.

  34. First published.

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