With every new year comes a season of planning and resolutions. For some, it’s about earning more. For others, it’s about relocating in search of better opportunities and greener pastures.
And while a growing number of people are looking to migrate to Europe, especially the UK, for improved pay or comfort, that decision now comes with increased scrutiny and stricter policies that make you think twice before committing.
If you’re a tech professional considering Europe, Estonia is emerging as an interesting alternative, thanks to its tech visa program for non-EU citizens.
Here’s everything you need to know to relocate to Estonia in 2026 on a tech visa, from eligibility to basic costs.
Estonia Tech Visa and Types for Non-EU Citizens
The Estonia Tech Visa is a unique residence permit for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to live in Estonia for up to a year while working for clients or companies outside the country.
Unlike standard work visas, it doesn’t require an Estonian employer, which means you can apply even if you’re self-employed, running your own startup, or working remotely for clients or companies outside the country.
For starters, Estonia’s tech visa comes in two main types. They are:
1. Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
This visa is for skilled remote workers earning foreign income—usually at least €4,500 a month—who work for non-Estonian companies. This allows you live and work in Estonia for up to a year.
2. Startup Visa
Then there's Startup Visa, which is for non-EU founders of innovative, scalable tech startups who want to set up a business locally and tap into Estonia’s tech ecosystem.
Who Qualifies for Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa
According to the official international tourism portal for Estonia, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa if you meet the following requirements.
- Work from anywhere, independent of your physical location.
- Carry out your professional duties remotely using digital tools and telecommunications.
- Be employed by a company registered outside Estonia, run your own business abroad, or work as a freelancer for clients primarily outside Estonia.
- Provide proof that your gross income meets the minimum threshold over the six months before applying for the DNV. Currently, this minimum is €4,500 per month.
Who Qualifies for Estonia’s Startup Visa?
But for startups, Estonia has legal frameworks that define which businesses qualify as startups. To fit the criteria, your business must be “innovative, technology-driven, and scalable, with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and some initial traction.”
If your firm doesn’t meet these requirements, it won’t be eligible for the Estonian Startup Visa. You might want to check here to know if your business is eligible for the visa.
How Long You Can Stay in Estonia on a Tech Visa
Both the Digital Nomad Visa and the Startup Visa, which are part of Estonia’s tech visa category, are valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed. There’s one important limit to keep in mind: if you hold two long-stay visas consecutively, your total time in Estonia cannot exceed 548 days within 730 days.
During your stay, you can live in Estonia full-time and also travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days.
Permanent Resident & Citizenship Timelines
To pursue Estonian Permanent Residency (PR) and eventually citizenship through a tech route, such as the Digital Nomad or Startup Visa, you should start planning 2–6 months in advance, ideally during the fifth year of your Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). After five continuous years on a valid permit, you can become eligible for PR.
From there, citizenship eligibility typically follows after eight years of legal residence. This process requires demonstrating proficiency in the Estonian language and knowledge of the country’s civic system, and in most cases, applicants must renounce other citizenships, as Estonia generally does not allow dual citizenship.
Basic Application Costs
When compared to the UK’s £766($970) for the core application, applying for an Estonian tech visa costs roughly €500 ($588) in total, give or take. This includes:
- Visa fee: €120 ($140) non-refundable
- Insurance: €100–200 ($117 to $234) per year
- Documents & travel: €150–300 ($175–$351)
- Post-arrival costs: €50 ($60) for the residence card; €100 for e-Residency
You want to keep in mind that if you’re applying for the Startup Visa, additional costs may apply for business registration and related expenses.
Family Inclusion
Both visas allow you to bring your immediate family with you. As a tech professional or startup founder planning to settle in Estonia, you can apply to bring your spouse and eligible family members.
In most cases, the residence permit for a spouse can be submitted at the same time as the main applicant’s visa. You can refer to this page on the Estonian immigration website to check out the procedures and costs.
Complete List of Required Documents
Digital Nomad Visa:
- Passport: Valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay, issued within the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages.
- Proof of fund: usually around at least €4,500 ($5,272.50) a month
- Application Form: Fully completed, signed, and dated.
- Photographs: One recent (under 6 months) passport-sized photo (35x45mm).
- Health Insurance: Valid for all Schengen countries, €30,000 ($32,100) minimum coverage.
- Biometrics: Fingerprints collected at your appointment.
- Fees: Payment of the visa application fee.
Startup Visa:
- Passport: Valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay, issued within the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages.
- Proof of fund: around €800 ($936.65) per month
- Approval code: To be received from the Startup Estonia Committee(here)
- Application Form: Fully completed, signed, and dated.
- Photographs: One recent (under 6 months) passport-sized photo (35x45mm).
- Health Insurance: Valid for all Schengen countries, €30,000 ($32,100) minimum coverage.
- Biometrics: Fingerprints collected at your appointment.
- Fees: Payment of the visa application fee.
Step-by-StepTech Visa Guide on How To Apply for the Estonian Tech Visa
Step 1:
To apply for Estonia’s Tech Visa under the Digital Nomad route, you must pair it with either a Type C (short-stay) or Type D (long-stay) visa. The process starts online, where you choose the visa type and complete the application.
Step 2:
After that, you’ll need to book an appointment at the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate in your country.
Step 3:
Once your appointment is scheduled, go to the Estonia Visa page and fill out the online application form for your chosen visa type, print it out, and sign it.
Step 4:
You’ll then gather all required supporting documents and submit them in person at your embassy appointment. After submission, the processing period typically takes up to 30 days.
Louis Eriakha
Note: For the Estonian Startup Visa, the process begins differently. Before applying for the visa itself, you must first apply for and receive approval from the Startup Estonia Committee (here), which confirms that your tech startup is innovative and scalable. Once approved, you’ll receive an authorization code.
With this approval, you can then apply at the Estonian embassy in your country.
After submission, processing also takes about 30 days. The key requirement here is securing Startup Estonia’s pre-approval before moving on to the visa application stage.
