Estonia

Estonia, which serves as a gateway to Scandinavia and Russia, offers special landscapes where history and nature coexist. The northernmost of the Baltic States, Estonia, has everything it takes to be an unforgettable destination: forests, lakes, beaches and islands galore (Saaremmaa and Hiiumaa). It is one of the rare places still protected by a real, well-preserved medieval wall. It is a city whose alluring appeal makes it a popular travel destination. Its historic town is charming and somewhat isolated.

The fauna and flora will never cease to surprise you. Alongside this are the historical vestiges of the country with Slavic and Nordic influences. The climate is mild there. The unparalleled warmth of its people will make Estonia one of your favorite travel destinations. Its famous capital, Tallinn, offers a landscape similar to that of Germany.

Estonia takes a lot of culinary inspiration from its neighbors and former masters, notably Germany, Russia and Finland. Everything on your plate is offered in a rather simple and sometimes even rustic style. Lots of marinades, frequently cooked fish and meats, soups, stews and sauerkraut to keep you warm in the cold.

Statistics on digital nomads in Estonia

Since the establishment of the digital nomad visa, Estonia has been able to attract a growing number of foreign teleworkers. Statistics show that this visa is very successful with these digital professionals:

• More than 1,200 visa applications have been submitted since the program launched in August 2020
• The top countries of origin for applicants are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Ukraine
• The majority of digital nomads working in Estonia work in the IT, marketing and communications sectors, as well as in the artistic and creative fields
• Around 65% of applicants are self-employed, while 35% are remote employees

The advantages of the teleworking visa in Estonia for digital nomads

THE digital nomad visa Estonian has several advantages for digital professionals who wish to settle temporarily in this country:

A pleasant living environment

Estonia offers an ideal living environment for digital nomads: high quality of life, preserved nature, affordable cost of living and modern infrastructure. Furthermore, Estonia is particularly renowned for its excellent internet coverage, which allows teleworkers to work efficiently wherever they are in the country.

Easier access to the Schengen area

Thanks to the teleworking visa, digital nomads have greater flexibility to travel within the Schengen area during their stay in Estonia. This allows them to combine work and discovery of neighboring countries.

Advantageous taxation

Estonia has implemented a competitive taxation to attract foreign businesses and workers. Digital nomads thus benefit from a favorable tax environment to carry out their professional activity in Estonia.

A model to follow for other countries?

The success of the teleworking visa in Estonia could encourage other countries to set up similar systems to attract digital nomads to their territory. Indeed, these digital professionals represent a interesting resource for local economies, due to their mobility and skills in a booming sector. For the moment, a few other countries have already launched or announced visas dedicated to teleworkers, such as Barbados, Georgia and Iceland.

Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, has become a true pioneer in technology and digital innovation in recent years. In order to attract more digital professionals to its territory, the country launched in August 2020 a specific visa for teleworkers called Estonia's digital nomad visa. This article explores the characteristics of this visa and the statistics linked to the influx of digital nomads in Estonia.

What is the teleworking visa in Estonia?

The Estonian teleworking visa, or digital nomad visa, is an official document which allows foreign self-employed workers and employees to temporarily settle in Estonia to carry out their professional activity remotely. This visa is valid for a maximum period of one year and offers the possibility of traveling freely within the Schengen area during this period.

Conditions of eligibility

To be eligible for the teleworking visa in Estonia, candidates must meet several conditions:

• Have a remote job or be self-employed
• Demonstrate a minimum net monthly income of €3,504 (during the last six months)
• Provide proof of health insurance
• Not be subject to an entry ban on Estonian territory

Application procedure

Candidates interested in the teleworking visa in Estonia must follow a specific procedure to submit their application. They must first fill out an online form on the official Estonian government website, then submit the required documents (passport, passport photo, proof of income and health insurance). Finally, applicants must make an appointment at the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate to finalize their application and pay the associated fees.