Citizenship in Estonia

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 15, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

You can get Estonian citizenship if you live there for eight years. The two pathways are by birth, if one parent is a citizen, or by naturalisation. For naturalisation, you need to have lived in Estonia for at least eight years, with the last five years on a permanent basis, hold a long-term or permanent residence permit, pass language and constitutional exams, and show a stable income and residence registration. We’ll have a more in-depth look into all you need to know to relocate to Estonia in this guide.

What are the benefits of Estonian citizenship?

According to a survey carried out in 2020 by the Estonian Minister of Culture, there are two standout reasons why people are drawn to Estonian citizenship: civic participation and the ease of movement across Europe.

To be precise, the survey found that 57% of people thought voting and being involved in politics and society in Estonia was the main motivator for getting citizenship. In addition to this, 53% of those surveyed highlighted the possibility of travelling to countries with a visa-free regime as a key motivator for seeking Estonian citizenship.

Even so, despite Estonia’s lack of bureaucracy and its world-renowned digital infrastructure, practical reasons have put off many people away from trying for citizenship. According to the same survey, about 48% of non-citizens feel that not having Estonian citizenship doesn’t really stop them from living comfortably in the country.

Do you need Estonian citizenship to live comfortably in Estonia?

No. According to many expats—not most, but still many—you don’t need Estonian citizenship to live and work in Estonia. Considering citizenship entails learning the very detailed Estonian language, a quasi-isolated language that’s close to Finnish, finding this out could actually be a relief for many expats who want to move to this remarkably high-tech nation.

If you would like to live and work in Estonia, you can check out their visas and permanent residence options, which are very feasible paths into the country’s workforce.

Does Estonia allow dual citizenship?

No, Estonia doesn’t allow dual citizenship. If an Estonian citizen decides to take on citizenship in another country, they automatically lose their Estonian citizenship. In the same sense, if you decide to apply for Estonian citizenship, you must be willing to renounce your current citizenship.

The only exception is for children born to parents of different nationalities. In these cases, the child can hold multiple citizenships, but once they turn 18, they have three years to choose which citizenship they want to keep.

What are the ways to get Estonian citizenship?

There are two main ways to obtain Estonian citizenship: by birth or by naturalisation.

The first way is, obvious, by birth. If at least one of your parents is an Estonian citizen, you automatically receive Estonian citizenship when you’re born. Another route is through reinstatement. If you previously had Estonian citizenship but lost it as a minor, you might be able to regain it through reinstatement.

But, if you’re looking to become an Estonian citizen as an expat, the main route is through naturalisation. To qualify, you need to hold a long-term residence permit or permanent residence right. You must have lived in Estonia for at least eight years before applying, including the last five years on a permanent basis.

Additionally, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in the Estonian language. If you’ve completed basic, secondary, or higher education in Estonian, you can skip this language exam—but, of course, this is not very common at all.

You’ll also have to pass a test on the Estonian Constitution and Citizenship Act, show a stable legal income, and prove that your residence is registered in the Estonian population register. Finally, showing loyalty to the Estonian state is also stipulated as an official requirement by the government.

When can you apply for Estonian citizenship?

Once you have lived in Estonia for 8 years, of which the last 5 years must have been permanent, you can apply for Estonian citizenship. And what does it mean that the last 5 years must have been permanent? This means that during those 5 years, you should have held a permanent residence permit or had a right of permanent residence.

What documents are required?

When applying for Estonian citizenship, you should have:

• Proof of long-term residence permit or permanent residence right.
• Evidence of having lived in Estonia for the required duration, including proof of residence registration in the Estonian population register.
• Certification of passing the Estonian language proficiency examination—of course, unless exempt due to education in Estonian.
• Documentation of passing the Estonian Constitution and Citizenship Act exam.
• Proof of having a stable legal income.
• Any documents related to your loyalty to the Estonian state.

If a minor wants to apply, they might need more papers, like permission from parents who are not citizens or proof that someone is in charge.

How to apply for Estonian citizenship?

First, make sure you meet all the requirements, like having the right residency status, passing language and constitutional exams, and so on.

Start by getting your documents in order, which will include proof of where you live, your language test results, and any other necessary paperwork. You’ll need to submit everything to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board through their website.

The exams you’ll need to take, covering the Constitution and language skills, are done at specific centres. You can find all the details on how to register for these exams on the Education and Youth Board’s website.

Can your family members get Estonian citizenship?

Yes, your family members can apply for Estonian citizenship too. For children under 15, citizenship can be applied for by their parents if they gain Estonian citizenship after the child's birth. A single parent who has become an Estonian citizen and is raising the child alone can also apply, as can a guardian who holds Estonian citizenship.

If a minor is 15 or older, their guardian can manage their application for citizenship if they meet the residency and registration requirements.

What are Estonian citizenship fees?

Applying for an Estonian citizenship in Estonia costs €13.

What if your application is rejected?

If your citizenship application is rejected, you’ll receive a detailed explanation of why. You have the option to appeal the decision if you think there’s been a mistake or if you have additional information to present. The appeal process involves submitting a formal request to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.

Talk to an immigration expert

Whether it's because you want to get involved in Estonian politics or for some other personal reason, the easiest way to become an Estonian citizen is with the support of a company that is willing to help you with the relocation process. Relocate.me is the kind of platform that can give you a hand with this process.

Relocate.me has a job board for professionals who want to relocate and has participated in the successful relocation stories of a multitude of expats. One of the ways Relocate can help you is by connecting you with immigration experts. So get in touch with us so we can introduce you to professionals who can tell you what your best option for Estonian citizenship is right now—or maybe they might help you with your visas or permits.

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