Employment in Estonia

An alien may be employed in Estonia on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a work permit or by registering a short-term employment.

 For short-term employment in Estonia the employment shall be registered with the Citizenship and Migration Board. Employment for up to 6 months in a year is deemed to be a short-term employment. An alien, who stays in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit, cannot register a short-term employment. In this case the person shall apply for a work permit or a residence permit for employment. The citizens of the European Union do not have to register their short-term employment.

 As a rule, an alien shall hold a work permit to work in Estonia.

A work permit is not necessary for:

• an alien, who has a long-term residence permit;

• an alien, who has a residence permit for employment;

• an alien, who has applied for a residence permit before 12 July 1995 and who has been granted a residence permit. 

In order to apply for a work permit you shall contact the Citizenship and Migration Board.

EU and EAA citizens may wish to obtain a temporary residence permit. This allows the EU and EAA citizens to register as a person performing the function of a member of an Estonian company's statutory body. Please browse www.jobinestonia.com for more job opportunities.