Estonia digital nomad visa

You must show that your work does not depend on a location and can be done through telecommunications, and that you do one of three things: work for an employer registered abroad under an employment contract, run the business of a company registered abroad in which you hold shares, or provide services mainly to clients based outside Estonia under contracts. Working for an Estonian employer does not fit this visa; that is short-term employment or an employment permit.

e-Residency is not a route to this visa. The PBGB states that an e-resident’s digital ID gives no right to live in Estonia and does not help a visa application.

On top of the standard D-visa file, prepare a written explanation of why you will use the visa for teleworking, the employer’s written confirmation that remote work is allowed, your employment contract or service contracts, a CV with your study and work history, a certificate from your country of residence on paid taxes or social security contributions and, for company owners, a registry certificate showing the company’s name, seat, activity, your holding and legal representatives, plus the company’s certificate of paid taxes and no arrears. Foreign public documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into English or Estonian.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets means of €132 per day, which it equates to €3,960 a month, for teleworkers; other D-visa applicants need €70 a day. Missions ask for proof of legal income over the six months before the application, showing amount, regularity and source, together with a certificate that neither you (in your country of residence) nor your company (in its country of registration) has tax debts.

D visas are lodged at an Estonian embassy or consulate. Fill in the pre-application, book the mission in the calendar with the pre-application number in the comments, appear in person, give fingerprints and pay €120. If you are already in Estonia legally, for example on a Schengen visa, you can apply at a PBGB service office in Tallinn, Tartu, Jõhvi, Narva or Pärnu at least 30 days, but not earlier than two months, before your current stay ends; the PBGB decides within 30 days.

The visa lets you stay up to 365 days in a 12-month period and travel to other Schengen states for up to 90 days in 180. A second D visa is possible, but consecutive D visas cannot exceed 548 days within 730 days. Insurance must cover medical costs for the whole visa period. Official pages do not describe a residence permit for teleworkers, so plan the stay around the D-visa limits.

A refusal can be appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 10 days, using the official form and paying €160; the decision comes within 30 days, and the administrative court can be approached within 10 days afterwards.