Estonia Digital Nomad Visa

Russian and Belarusian citizens: restrictions

Since 2022 Estonia has not accepted short-stay or long-stay visa applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens, including the digital nomad visa. Exceptions are narrow: for example visits to a spouse or close relatives who are Estonian citizens or long-term residents, diplomatic staff and international carriers. Remote work is not on the list, so for Russian and Belarusian citizens we find other countries with digital nomad visas.

Who the visa suits

• Employees of foreign companies working remotely under a contract with an employer outside Estonia.
• Owners of companies registered abroad, if the business is run remotely.
• Freelancers and consultants whose clients are mainly outside Estonia.

Working for Estonian employers on a digital nomad visa is not allowed. Income must be at least €4,500 a month before tax, about $5,042, for each of the last 6 months.

Short-stay or long-stay visa

On a long-stay visa you may stay in Estonia no more than 365 days within 455 consecutive days. To keep living there you need a residence permit on another basis, such as employment or entrepreneurship.

The nomad visa and e-residency

Estonian e-residency is a digital ID for managing an Estonian company online. It gives no right to live in Estonia or enter Schengen and does not replace a visa. An owner of an Estonian company who wants to live there needs a visa or residence permit, and working for your own Estonian company no longer fits the digital nomad visa: it requires an entrepreneur residence permit. E-residency is also not issued to Russian and Belarusian citizens.

How much Estonia's digital nomad visa costs in 2026

• state fee - €80, about $90, for a short-stay visa or €100, about $113, for a long-stay visa;
• visa centre service fee, if you apply through one;
• health insurance with at least €30,000, about $33,612, cover for the whole stay;
• document translation into English or Estonian;
• our support, if you hand preparation to us.

For a family, visas and insurance are arranged for each member. A manager will calculate the total for your family in the chat. Dollar amounts use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, rounded up.

Documents

• visa application form and photo;
• a passport valid beyond the visa term;
• proof of remote work: an employment contract with a foreign employer, documents on your foreign company or client contracts;
• bank statements or income certificates for the last 6 months showing at least €4,500 a month before tax;
• health insurance with at least €30,000 cover for the whole term;
• for family, marriage and children's birth certificates.

Documents in other languages are translated into English or Estonian. The consulate may request more papers, such as on housing or purpose of travel.

Who is refused

• Russian and Belarusian citizens outside the exception categories;
• income below €4,500 before tax in any of the last 6 months;
• the employer or main clients are in Estonia;
• no insurance with the required cover for the whole term;
• breaches on previous Schengen entries or an entry ban;
• an unclear purpose of travel or inconsistent documents.

Family

A spouse and children apply for their own visas. They need marriage and birth certificates, insurance for each and proof that income covers the whole family. If children will study in Estonia, choose a school early: Tallinn and Tartu have English-language schools.

Taxes

Estonian income tax is 22% since 1 January 2025. You become an Estonian tax resident by spending 183 days or more in the country within 12 consecutive months, and then worldwide income is taxed in Estonia. If you spend less time there, tax is usually paid in your country of residence, subject to the tax treaty. See taxes in Estonia.

Risks and what may change

• Restrictions on certain nationalities are introduced and changed by government decision.
• The income threshold is revised: it used to be lower.
• Tax residence: a year in Estonia makes worldwide income taxable at the Estonian rate.
• The visa cannot be extended indefinitely: after 365 days within 455 another status is needed.

Alternatives

• Spain digital nomad visa - with the right to live there up to 5 years.
• Croatia digital nomad visa - by the sea, up to a year.
• Hungary digital nomad visa - in central Europe.

What changed and what we rely on

Since 1 January 2025 Estonian income tax is 22%. The digital nomad visa income threshold is €4,500 a month before tax. Restrictions on accepting visa applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens have applied since 2022. Sources: Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Police and Border Guard Board and the Tax and Customs Board; checked on 6 October 2026.

Why choose Estonia

How to get Estonia's digital nomad visa: step by step

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