Estonia citizenship: how to secure a future in the EU and live a bureaucracy-free life

There are two main ways to obtain an Estonian passport: by birth and naturalisation.

By birth. The child is eligible for Estonian citizenship if at least one parent was an Estonian citizen at the time of birth. The place of birth does not matter.

Stateless children born in Estonia are also eligible for Estonian citizenship by birth. Children born in Estonia to foreign parents do not become Estonians.

Persons who have lost Estonian citizenship as minors can obtain it once again.

By naturalisation. This option is available to foreigners who moved to the country permanently for work, studies, family, or other reasons. First, they obtain a residence permit in Estonia, then permanent residency, and finally citizenship. Normally, one needs to live in Estonia for 10 years to be eligible to naturalise.

Applicants renounce previous citizenship​​​​ as Estonian law does not allow citizens to have a second one.

Citizenship by investment is not available in Estonia. However, foreign investors can acquire a passport by general naturalisation rules. First, they obtain residency by contributing to the country’s economy or opening a business, and in ten years, they can be eligible for citizenship.

In some other countries, investors can obtain citizenship faster. For example, one can become a national of Malta by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment in 1 or 3 years. The investment required for this procedure starts at €690,000.

In Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus, foreigners can obtain residency by investing at least €250,000. After 5 to 7 years of holding the permit, investors can get naturalised.

Where to get citizenship by investment within 1+ months

1. Freedom of movement. Estonian passport holders enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to 169 countries, including the EU states, the UK, and the USA. This facilitates hassle-free travel for business, leisure, and study purposes, making it an ideal passport for global citizens.

2. European opportunities for work and education. With Estonia being an EU member state, its citizens have the right to live, work, and study in any other EU country without special permits. This opens up a wide range of opportunities in terms of employment, education, and entrepreneurship across diverse and vibrant economies.

3. Digital society and e-government services. Estonia is a global leader in digital innovation and e-governance. Estonian citizens can get electronic social and administrative services. For example, it is possible to get a prescription, get married, or open a company online.

Additionally, foreigners can get an e-residency in Estonia to start and manage companies online. Due to this advancement, the country has the biggest number of startups in Europe.

4. High quality of life and social security. Estonia offers its citizens a high standard of living. The country ranks 12th in the global Healthcare index and 14th in the rating of the cleanest countries in the world.

The country’s social security system provides comprehensive support, including healthcare benefits, pensions, and unemployment insurance, contributing to a secure and stable life.

5. Safety and political stability. Estonia is known for its political stability, low crime rates, and safe living environment. The country’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law ensures a peaceful and secure atmosphere for its citizens. This makes Estonia an attractive place for both living and conducting business.

Requirements. To be eligible for Estonian citizenship, applicants must meet the criteria:

1. Be a resident of the country.

2. Have resided in Estonia for at least eight years before applying for citizenship. At least the last five years, they should be permanent residents.

3. Successfully pass the Estonian language examination for a B1 level. This requirement is waived for individuals who have acquired education in the Estonian language or have health limitations.

4. Pass an examination on the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act.

5. Demonstrate a permanent legal income.

6. Have their place of residence registered in the Estonian population register.

7. Take an oath to the Estonian state.

Foreigners over 15 submit their applications themselves. In other cases, a guardian or parents of an applicant do it. Minors under 15 obtain citizenship if:

• one or both of their parents acquired Estonian citizenship after the child was born​​;

• their parents apply for Estonian citizenship simultaneously with the child;

• their legal guardian is an Estonian citizen;

Dual citizenship. Estonia does not allow dual citizenship. According to Estonian law, individuals who naturalise as citizens must renounce their previous nationality.

There is more flexibility for minors. They must renounce one of their citizenships within three years after they turn 18. The obligation to renounce citizenship to obtain Estonian nationality also does not apply to refugees.

To apply for citizenship in Estonia, a foreigner collects the documents:

1. An application form completed in Estonian.

2. A digital photo not older than 6 months. It should be coloured, unedited, and have a file size of 1—5 Mb. The minimum dimensions are 1,300 × 1,600 pixels.

3. Proof of legal income.

4. A certificate on passing the examination on the knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act

5. A payment order of the state fee of €13.

6. Proof of renouncing citizenship. It can also be a declaration from an applicant that they will renounce their first citizenship once the Estonian citizenship is acquitted.

The documents are submitted to one of the 18 Service Offices in Estonia. An applicant makes an appointment online and visits an office in person.

Normally, a Service Office reviews the application within 6 months and then transmits the documents to the Government for final decision. In case of approval, a new Estonian citizen gets a citizenship certificate and then applies for an ID card and a passport.

A foreigner needs a permit to become a resident in Estonia with prospects of naturalisation. The general requirements to obtain a residence permit in Estonia are subsistence means, medical insurance, a place to reside, and proof of the grounds to stay in the country.

A foreigner submits the documents at the closest consulate, the Police and Border Guard Board in Estonia, or online. The state fee is €30—60, depending on the place of applying.

The application is usually reviewed within 2 months. A residence card is issued 30 days after approval.

Education. Foreigners intending to pursue studies in Estonia for over three months acquire a residence permit. The educational institutions include high schools, colleges, universities, or others offering secondary or higher education.

Enrolment in a university-organised preparatory course qualifies as a valid reason for obtaining a residence permit.

Work. Skilled and seasonal workers, top managers, researchers, athletes, artists, and other employees obtain a work permit in Estonia. To get a job, they must have the appropriate training, skills, and work experience.

An employee applies on its own. An employer should be registered in Estonia and provide a salary equal to or above the country’s average. In 2024, it is €1,832 per month.

Remote work. Digital nomads can stay in Estonia to work remotely. They get a residency permit for a year and then can apply for a second permit, valid for 6 months.

After residing in Estonia for a maximum of 1.5 years, a digital nomad must leave the country. They cannot apply for permanent residency in the country.

Marriage. There are several cases in which a person can get a residence permit by marriage. A person is eligible to obtain it if their spouse is:

• an Estonian citizen;

• an Estonian resident;

• an applicant for a permit in Estonia by employment, investment, or education.

Family reunification. Family members of Estonian citizens or residents may apply for a permit. This is available to minor children, children over 18 who cannot financially support themselves due to disability or health issues, and financially dependent parents and grandparents.

To apply, they need an invitation from a family member who is an Estonian citizen or resident.

Enterprise. A foreigner may get a residence permit to start a business in Estonia. There are two ways to do so. The first is to become a sole proprietor of a company and invest at least €16,000 in business activity. A foreigner either establishes a new business or buys an existing one.

Another way is to open a startup. There is no investment requirement, but a startup needs to be innovative and have global growth potential. These characteristics are evaluated by the expert committee.

Investment. Foreigners have two investment options. They may purchase shares of an Estonian company worth at least €65,000. Another option is to contribute at least €1 million to an Estonian company or the country’s economy.

In some European countries, foreigners can obtain citizenship faster than in Estonia, and get naturalised in 5—7 years.Golden Visa programs in Europe offer investors a pathway to residency and then citizenship in the EU through real estate or other investments. Golden Visa program participants get to travel within the Schengen Area visa-free, with opportunities for living, working, and studying in Europe.

The investment requirement starts at €250,000. The obtaining period is 3+ months, depending on the country.

1. Estonia offers two ways to get citizenship: by descent and by naturalisation.

2. To obtain Estonian citizenship by naturalisation, a foreigner has to live in the country for 5 years as a permanent resident. Including residing with a temporary status, the path to citizenship will take 10 years.

3. A foreigner first gets a residence permit in Estonia. There are various grounds to get it: employment, marriage, family reunification, investment, and education.

4. Another way to settle in the EU is to get a Golden Visa by investing at least €250,000. Such programs work in Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.