Estonia

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it).

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

An employer in Estonia is required to pay a salary which is at least equal to 1.5 times the annual average gross monthly salary last published by Statistics Estonia.

For 2023, Estonia set the minimum salary threshold at 2528 EUR per month, 30 336 EUR per year.

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

For professions in sectors where there are many unfilled vacancies, Member States may set a lower minimum salary threshold. An employer in Estonia is required to pay a salary which is at least equal to 1.24 times the annual average gross monthly salary last published by Statistics Estonia in the following cases: 

• top specialist or a supervisor; 
• top specialist in natural or technical science; 
• top specialist in health service; 
• specialist in pedagogics; 
• specialist in business or administration; 
• specialist in information or communication or specialist in legal, cultural or social sphere.

For 2023, Estonia set the lower minimum salary threshold at 2089 EUR per month, 25 072 EUR annually.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

When applying for the EU Blue Card, the employer has to require the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund´s permission to fill the job/post. 

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Estonia is: 27 months.

Specific rules: In Estonia, the EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, but this duration must be less than two years and three months. An EU Blue Card can be renewed multiple times for up to four years and three months at a time.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: 125 EUR.

Renewal: 96 EUR. Replacement: 31 EUR (ordering a document to a foreign representation will cost 20 EUR in addition to the state fee).

Fee for express issuance: no fees.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Estonia is 60 days.

Estonian Police and Border Guard

More information on migrating to Estonia

Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund´s permission to hire a third-country national

Information