Living and working in Estonia
The Baltic gem Estonia is known for its remarkable history and unique architecture in the old town of Tallinn, that takes you back to the Middle Age. But what else? And what is it like to live there?
Here we will try to give you a little more of a local point of view on the charming country.
Latest available jobs in Estonia
Currency
The Euro (€) has been the official currency in Estonia since 2011
Famous people
Some famous Estonian people are Andrus Veerpalu, Karmen Pedaru, A. H. Tammsaare
Population
Estonia has ~1.3 million, residents, most of them living in Tallinn
Typical food
Verivorst (blood sausage), lots of fish from the Baltic Sea, rye bread, potatoes, pork
Avg. working week
Estonia has an average of 40 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
The northeastern European country Estonia borders the gulf of Finland and is situated below Sweden. The capital city is Tallinn
Languages
The official language is Estonian, and they use the Latin script
Healthcare
The majority of healthcare is paid for by the state via Estonian Health Insurance Fund if you have a work contract for at least one month (see more in FAQ)
What you need to know about working in Estonia
If you like straightforward communication and solving everything on the internet you should know that this is the common work style in Estonia. 99% of public services are online, so everything can be done digitally and they are very open-minded about young people leading teams or even companies. If you’re young and looking for your special career, this country will give you the opportunity to grow in that field.
The average salary in Estionia is €2618 with working hours of 8 hours per day, 5 days a week and 28 days of vacation annually.
Working in Tallinn
Tallinn is the financial and business capital of Estonia. They have an increasing economy and provide over half of the GDP of the country. The economic sector is led by information technology, logistics and tourism with their harbour on the Baltic coast. It has a growing expat community with a wealth of job opportunities. Read Nadja’s story about her work in Talinn.
Tallinn is recognised as one of the top digital and smart urban cities in the world. It’s well connected which improves the work-life balance with a minimal amount of commuting. It’s a cosmopolitan city but also has its historical side. Tallinn’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you can appreciate both worlds: the most technologically advanced and the medieval one, in just one place.
Taxes in Estonia
In Estonia your personal ID is enough for taxation purposes. The first thing you need to do is to request your personal ID code, and you only need your passport as an EU citizen. Find more information about this on the city of Tallinn website. After this you’re ready to start your job journey and your salary is registered to pay at the end of the fiscal year a flat rate of 20%.
Things you need to fix before living and working in Estonia
- Register your residence; register in the Population Register via Estonian Police and Border Guard Board or your local municipality
- Get an Estonian ID code; used for taxes, healthcare, banking, and more
- Register with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund;
- Open up a Estonian bank account;
- Get a Estonian SIM card
Popular cities in Estonia
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Estonia
Estonia is a country of forests, digital wonders, and boundless opportunities for adventures. With its efficient public transport, affordable cost of living, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s and ideal environment for expats. Estonia is a digital paradise, with a tech-savvy culture that has earned it the nickname “E-stonia”. Take part in the thriving start-up ecosystem and innovative digital initiatives. You can also become an e-resident of Estonia with access to online business opportunities and a unique digital identity.
5 fun facts about Estonia
- It is mandatory to have safety reflectors when you walk or bike at night. Otherwise, you can get a fine of up to €400.
- You probably didn’t know that Estonia is the motherland of Skype. It’s for sure a technologically advanced nation.
- Earth in Estonia is considered to be one of the cleanest in the entire world! One of the reasons why might be that around 50% of the territory is covered by forests.
- In the capital city, Tallinn, public transportation is free to make it more attractive, choosing to reduce pollution emission.
- Suur Munamägi is the highest point in Estonia. It is 318 metres, so you can imagine the entire country is pretty flat.
Extraordinary cuisine in Estonia
National cuisine in Estonia is closely connected to the seasons:
- The key ingredients are potatoes, pork, and rye bread, and in the coastal areas also fish. They love dairy products as well.
- Traditionally Estonians season dishes only with salt and pepper, which is why Estonian cuisine is not spicy nor very seasoned.
- Some of the most popular Estonian dishes: (1) Kohuke – sweet snack (2) Kohupiimakreem – crud cheese with vanilla sugar and ice cream (3) Kiluvõileib – open faced sandwich with a sprat filet (4) Hernesupp Suitsulihaga – pea soup with smoked pork hock (5) Sült – meat jelly
Finding accommodation in Estonia
Finding accommodation in Estonia is not difficult, and the prices vary depending on the location. Living in the city centre of Tallinn may cost more than in the outskirts of the city. And living in Tartu is in general cheaper. Expect this for the rent costs in Estonia:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €650-€850
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €450-€650
- Room in a shared apartment: €250-€450 a month
Cost of living in Estonia
Costs of living in Estonia are low compared to other countries in Europe. However, it’s higher than in its Baltic neighbours. Here you can take a look at a few examples of basic everyday living costs:
- Groceries: €200-€320 a month
- Basic meal in a restaurant: €12-€15
- Coffee in a café: €2-€5
- 0.5L beer in a bar: €4-€8
- Gym membership: €30-€60 a month
- Cinema ticket: €9-€12
Still not convinced about Estonia?
The charming capital city Tallinn will take you away to a fairy-tale state of mind with cobblestone streets, charming towers and colourful merchant houses. Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is remarkably preserved, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. But the country offers much more:
- Estonia, particularly in cities like Tallinn, has a fun nightlife. The capital city offers a wide range of bars, clubs, pubs, and lounges catering to different tastes and preferences.
- The Old Town of Tallinn is particularly known for its lively atmosphere with numerous bars and clubs.
- Additionally, during weekends and holidays, there are often events, concerts, and festivals that contribute to the energetic nightlife in Estonia.
- Estonians have a deep-rooted love for saunas, which is a traditional steam bath ritual.
- Nature lovers will also find their paradise in Estonia’s pristine landscapes. Explore Lahemaa National Park, where the coastlines meet picturesque bogs, or Soomaa National Park, where you can canoe through flooded forests during spring.
FAQ
No, if you are an EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen you do not need a work permit to work during the first three months, and apply for an ID card within the first month of your stay. You can read more about it here.
Estonia experiences a temperate seasonal climate:
- Summer: mild and relatively short. 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
- Spring and autumn: transitional seasons. 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F).
- Winters: cold and snowy. -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F)
Estonia has efficient public transport. In Tallinn it is recommended to use bus, tram, trolleybus, train, and ferry. All public transport is free for people registered as living in Tallinn. You can buy tickets by sending an SMS or by downloading the Tabnet app on your phone. And it is also possible to purchase tickets in the ticket machines and offices when you travel.
Yes, and the majority of healthcare is provided and paid for by the state via Estonian Health Insurance Fund. In order to be entitled to this fund you need to be employed with a contract for at least one month OR be a permanent or temporary resident and therefore pay premiums into voluntary insurance.
The official language is Estonian, but Russian is also widely used. Even when the majority of people speak English, it will be useful if you know the basics of the language to communicate. If you’re thinking about staying longer in Estonia to build your career here, then you need to learn more than the basics of the language. To do so, you get a free welcoming program with courses to all foreigners who have lived there for less than 5 years (Level A1). Also, there are apps like Lingvist or Speakly.
To reach a higher level you could try online courses with Keeleklikk or Keeletee, or Facebook groups where you can arrange meetings to practise the language with other people.
The cost of living in Estonia is generally lower compared to many other European countries. Monthly expenses can vary depending on the location, lifestyle, and personal choices. On average, a single person can expect to spend around €600 to €1000 per month on accommodation, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Rent prices can range from €300 to €700 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, with lower prices available in suburban areas. It’s worth noting that prices can be higher in the capital city of Tallinn compared to other regions of Estonia.