EU Blue Card in Estonia
One documented route of this kind in Estonia, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Employment)
A residence and work permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a higher-education qualification and an employment contract paying an elevated salary threshold. Issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months.
- Processing time
- Decision within up to 2 months
- Validity
- Duration of employment contract plus 3 months, generally up to 2 years and 3 months
- Language requirement
- No language requirement for the card; Estonian B1 for permanent residence
- Permanent residence
- Counts toward the 5-year requirement for permanent residence (EU long-term residence)
- Citizenship
- Counts toward the 8-year naturalisation requirement
Requirements
- Higher-education qualification (or comparable professional experience)
- Employment contract for highly qualified employment
- Salary meeting the EU Blue Card threshold (higher than the standard work-permit threshold)
- Employer requests authorisation from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund
- Valid travel document and health insurance
Required Documents
- Completed application form required
- Valid passport required
- Higher education diploma / qualification proof required
- Employment contract for highly qualified employment required
- Health insurance proof required
Official fees
- State fee (at PBGB service point) 125 EUR
- State fee (at a foreign mission) 120 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Qualifying job offer
Obtain a highly qualified employment offer meeting the EU Blue Card salary threshold.
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2
Unemployment Fund authorisation
Employer requests permission from the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund to fill the post.
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3
Apply
Submit the EU Blue Card application at an Estonian mission abroad or a PBGB service point.
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4
Decision and card
Await decision (up to 2 months) and collect the residence permit card.