Estonia is finally on the list of countries with a digital nomad visa, and it has taken a lot of legislative work! The Estonia digital nomad visa is part of Estonia’s recent drive to build its E-commerce infrastructure.
Its main objective is to facilitate a smoother migration process for remote workers and freelancers who want to develop their activity and live in the country.
As a result, Estonia is increasingly becoming known as one of the most convenient and secure places to do business online. Before we get into the finer details, here’s a brief summary of the Estonia digital nomad visa:
- The duration of stay is 90 days or 365 days, depending on the type of visa you apply for.
- The turnaround time for processing your application is at least 15 days.
- After you have submitted your application, the process is 100% digital, but you will need to submit physical documents to an Estonian embassy first.
- Minimum monthly income must be 4,500€ for the 6 months prior to application.
- Health insurance is required.
Find it easy:
How to apply for a digital nomad visa for Estonia?
Applying for the Estonia digital nomad visa is a very simple process if you know the steps you need to follow. Below, I’ll take you through it by summarising the process in 5 steps:
- Access the Estonian Government website through this link to select the visa you wish to apply for. You can choose between a short-stay and long-stay visa. You can also choose the language (English, Russian or Estonian) to fill in the application form.
- Enter your email address and solve the captcha task—don’t forget to read the instructions first!
- Complete the application and be careful not to make any mistakes. If you need any clarification during the process, you can click on the question mark (?) for extra help.
- Make a note of the application number, which will be given to you once you have completed the form. You will then receive an email with this form in PDF format.
- Print the form and sign it to take it to the nearest Estonian embassy with the necessary documents. I will tell you about these documents a little further on. You should also make sure whether you need to schedule an appointment before you go to the building.
Visa delivery time
The Estonian digital nomad visa will take at least 15 days to arrive, as the administrative authority will need to review your application in full and carry out any necessary verifications and background checks.
It’s worth noting that Estonia’s application process is much quicker and more convenient than most other digital nomad visas around the world.
How does the Estonia digital nomad visa work?
In recent years, Estonia has focused its efforts on making the country 100% digitalised. The small Baltic nation is fully up-to-date with technological trends and is becoming a pioneer in promoting teleworking initiatives and start-ups.
For this reason, Estonia is now offering a digital nomad visa for foreigners, making it possible to attract skilled talent to their country while ensuring stable residence for them. It was launched in July 2020 and, since then, many are already working there.
There are actually two types of visas offered for digital nomads who want to experience Estonia, let’s take a look:
- Short-term visa (C-Visa). This allows you to live and work in Estonia as a freelancer or teleworker for a maximum of three months.
- Long-term visa (D-Visa). This provides for the possibility to live and work in Estonia for a maximum of 365 days. In addition, this type of visa allows the holder to stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days at a time.
Pros of the Estonia digital nomad visa
The Estonia digital nomad visa has numerous advantages that should I’d like to cover:
- As mentioned, it offers two types of visas: a long-stay visa and a short-stay visa.
- The maximum visa delivery time is 15 days.
- The Estonian digital nomad visa places no limitations on business activities. In many other countries with this type of visa, there are significant restrictions when it comes to the type of activity you can carry out.
Cons of the Estonia digital nomad visa
There are also a number of less convenient aspects to the Estonia digital nomad visa:
- Proof of monthly income of 4,500€ gross of tax for the six months prior to application is required.
- The documents must be signed and submitted to the Estonian embassy.
- The cost of the formalities is estimated to be between 80€ and 100€.
Is travel insurance mandatory for travel to Estonia?
Having travel insurance is a fundamental requirement for applying for the Estonia digital nomad visa, and foreigners must contract insurance to cover their medical expenses in the country, in case anything should happen during their stay.
I recommend taking a look at our article on travel insurance for digital nomads, as we cover the best policies suited to our nomadic lifestyle.
Among the wide variety of long-stay policies that exist, it can be difficult to find the ideal one for this unique type of experience. Luckily, I’m here to share a great policy with comprehensive coverage suited to remote living and working. Stay tuned!
What is the best travel insurance for Estonia?
Although Estonia is a safe country, digital nomads living in the country need to take out insurance to prevent any financial nightmares, especially concerning their valuables.
Having travel insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of emergencies and unexpected medical expenses.
So, if you’re planning on applying for the Estonia digital nomad visa, I highly recommend you check out this promotional offer available now:
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- Fill in your trip info
- Click on “Calculate Price”.
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Some of the most useful benefits of Hey Mondo travel insurance for digital nomads include:
- 24/7 assistance platform.
- Repatriation and early return.
- Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised for over a week.
Comparative table of travel insurance to Estonia
Here’s a comparative table to help you select the ideal travel insurance policy for your nomadic adventures. As a digital nomad myself, I can’t stress to you enough how vital travel insurance is to our lifestyle!
The benefits and features in the following table have been chosen on the basis of utility for digital nomads.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️ | ⭐️ | |
Price 3 months | 174€ | 210€ | 338€ | 126€ | 195€ |
Discount valid until 30/04/2024 | – 15% for families | – 5% | – 5% | ❌ | ❌ |
ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | GET A QUOTE | GET A QUOTE | |
Legal assistance | 13.000€ | 12.000€ | 3.000€ | ❌ | ❌ |
Covid-19 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Medical expenses | 1.000.000€ | 500.000 € | 200.000€ | 222.600€ | £10,000,000 |
Hospitalization | Actual costs | 500.000€ | 250.000€ | 200.000€ | £10,000,000 |
Theft or loss of luggage | 2.000€ | 2.500€ | Optional | 2.670€ | £2000 |
Repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | 17.800€ | Actual costs |
Sports activities | ✅ | Optional | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Recommended for | All types of stays | All types of stays | All types of stays | Digital nomad | All types of stays |
Review | Chapka insurance | HeyMondo insurance | IATI travel insurance | SafetyWing insurance | Word Nomads Insurance |
Discount > | Promo Code Chapka | Promo Code HeyMondo | Promo Code IATI |
Requirements for applying for the Estonia digital nomad visa
Before starting the application for an Estonia digital nomad visa, it’s important to understand the requirements. Let’s take a look!
- Have a minimum monthly income of 4,500€, excluding taxes, for the 6 months preceding the application.
- Work 100% remotely. That is, you carry out your activities using telecommunication technologies.
- Have an employment contract with a company registered outside Estonia, work as a freelancer for clients outside Estonia, or conduct business through your own company registered abroad.
- Have health insurance.
- Have a credit card to pay the application fee. This is typically between 80€ and 100€.
What activities are allowed and forbidden for an Estonia digital nomad visa?
Regarding activities, Estonia allows any business activity in the country, as long as the client portfolio is located abroad or, in the case of a remote employee, the company is registered outside Estonia.
In addition, it is essential that the activity is carried out 100% remotely and digitally.
Which nationalities are allowed and prohibited?
Currently, Estonia does not allow Russian and Belarusian citizens to apply for the Estonian digital nomad visa. All other nationalities are eligible to apply.
The ministry claims that this restriction is being made for the first time because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The aim of this restriction is to prevent the development of a business activity in the country that could be used to finance a military offensive in this war.
Can you apply for the Estonia digital nomad visa if you are already in the country?
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can apply for the Estonian digital nomad visa if you are already in the country.
The answer is no, as you need to submit the printed and signed documents to the Estonian embassy in your home country.
Can I bring a partner or children with me on the Estonian digital nomad visa?
If you already have an approved visa to travel and work in Estonia, you can take your partner or children with you. The Estonian Government will require you to provide supporting documents for your accompanying family members.
In addition, there is the possibility for the partner of the visa holder to work according to the conditions of his/her visa.
How to travel to Estonia at the best price in 2024
Choosing insurance that is tailored to your needs is vital, but remember that the following factors play a crucial role as well:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- The card you use
- How you book your activities
Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years, they’ll help you save money on your travels, so you can focus on the things you enjoy about travelling.
Fly to Estonia at reduced prices!
You know, flights don’t cost the same from all countries! To pay for my cheapest flights, I use NordVPN.
Basically, it’s a private network that allows you to access Internet sites from locations other than your own, and this can have some serious benefits:
In April 2024, enjoy a 59% discount on NordVPN.
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Flights from Barcelona to Buenos Aires don’t cost the same if you buy them from Spain as from India, for example. So, once you’ve installed NordVPN, simply access websites like Skyscanner and compare prices by entering as if you were browsing from different countries.
The 8 countries from which it is cheapest to buy flights are: Malaysia, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Thailand. Once you have NordVPN, head over to Skyscanner and start paying reduced prices for flights all over the world!
Stay at a discount in Estonia all year round
Access Booking.com now and get discounts of up to 15% in April 2024 by becoming a Genius user.
There are also ways to save money when booking your accommodation with Booking. The first of which is becoming a Genius user, something you get from making 2 bookings (Genius level 1), and 5 bookings (Genius level 2).
As a Genius user in Booking.com, you can enjoy:
- Discounts on room rates.
- Free breakfast.
- Upgrades to superior room categories.
- Free parking.
- Late check-out.
- Welcome gifts.
In addition, there are hotels in Booking.com that directly offer you a 10 to 15% discount on your rate for being a Genius user.
Access to get discounts of up to 15% by becoming a Genius user.
Finally, Booking.com has a Minimum Price Guarantee program, so if you find a cheaper price for your hotel on any other website, they’ll match it!
Reserve your entertainment and sightseeing in advance
GetYourGuide is an indispensable tool for organising any trip to any destination. It’s a platform that helps you book tourism and leisure activities for your trip.
With GetYourGuide, you can book your activities online to avoid queues, and take advantage of a discount for online bookings. This way, you save time and money, so you can enjoy more activities during your trip!
Get the best travel card for Estonia
If you travel frequently, the Revolut Metal Card is another great way to save money. For starters, they offer you unlimited currency exchanges without paying any fees!
This Card allows you to make unlimited domestic transfers free of charge, and withdraw up to £800 a month from international ATMs.
If you spent £650 abroad in a month using a standard card, and withdrew £350 at ATMs, you would have paid around £44 in fees.
With the Revolut Metal card, you would have paid £0 in fees.
Keep up to date with future digital nomads visas in 2024!
Leave your email and receive the latest updates:
List of countries with digital nomad visas in April 2024
In addition to Estonia, there are many other countries in the world that already have a digital nomad visa for remote workers like you. They offer the possibility to live and work in their countries for a certain period of time – don’t miss out!
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41 / 195 | Trend in | Duration | Tax | Travel insurance | Proof |
COUNTRIES | April 2024 | in months | to pay | See recommended | of income |
Anguila | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Antigua Barbuda | 24 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Aruba | 3 | $75 | Yes | No | |
Barbados | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Bermuda | 12 | $260 | Yes | Yes | |
Brazil | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cape Verde | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Colombia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Costa Rica | 24 | $550 | Yes | Yes | |
Croatia | 12 | $155 | Yes | Yes | |
Curaçao | 6 | $300 | Yes | No | |
Cyprus | 12 | $65 | Yes | Yes | |
Dominica | 18 | $900 | Yes | Yes | |
Ecuador | 24 | $450 | Yes | Yes | |
United Arab Emirates | 12 | $610 | Yes | Yes | |
Estonia | 12 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 12 | $35 | Yes | Yes | |
Germany | 36 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Grenada | 12 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Greece | 12 | $90 | Yes | Yes | |
Hungria | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Indonesia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Italy | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Latvia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cayman Islands | 24 | $1470 | Yes | Yes | |
Seychelles Islands | 12 | $50 | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 6 | $315 | Yes | Yes | |
Malaysia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Mauritius | 12 | $0 | Yes | Yes | |
Mexico | 12 | $45 | Yes | Yes | |
Montserrat | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 48 | $630 | Yes | Yes | |
Panama | 9 | $300 | Yes | Yes | |
Portugal | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Czech Republic | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Romania | 12 | $125 | Yes | Yes | |
Saint Lucia | 12 | $70 | Yes | Yes | |
Spain | 12 | $85 | Travel insurance | Yes | |
Health insurance | |||||
Sri Lanka | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Thailand | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes |
The Estonia digital nomad visa provides a unique opportunity for young digital entrepreneurs and digital nomads to grow their businesses and work remotely in a country that is consistently proving itself to be the world’s most digitalised country.
If you’d like to learn more about the countries currently offering this type of visa, you can see an up-to-date map showing all the countries offering a digital nomad visa in 2024.
If you’re curious about Estonia’s unique digitalised business environment, I recommend checking out our articles on opening a company in Estonia, and Estonia’s E-residency scheme. You may be surprised to find just how much this small nation has to offer!
Thank you for reading, and I wish you the best of luck in your application for the Estonia digital nomad visa, and your search for geographical freedom!
