Visa and residence permit
Staying in Estonia as an EU citizen from EU/EEA country
As an EU citizen student, you have the right to stay in Estonia on the basis of a valid travel document or identity card for the period of up to 90 days. After the 90 days the student has to:
– first register their living place (Population Register in Tallinn)
– and then apply for an Estonian ID card (Estonian Police and Border Guard Board)
EBS recommends doing both steps as soon as possible once you arrive in Tallinn. Once you have done the both steps you have obtained right of temporary residence. The state fee for a temporary residence permit card is 60€.
As an additional perk, you can have access to free Tallinn public transport. More information can be found in public transport section.
Staying in Estonia as a non-EU citizen from EU/EEA country
As an student from EU/EEA country and holder of that countries visa/permanent residence permit, you have the right to stay in Estonia on the basis of a valid travel document or identity card for the period of up to 90 days. After the 90 days the student has to:
– apply for a D-visa (Estonian Police and Border Guard Board)
EBS recommends applying for a D-visa as soon as you have arrived in Estonia to ensure you won’t be at any point illegally in Estonia. Please make sure you have all the necessary documents ready. The state fee for a D-visa application is 120€.
To use Tallinn public transport for free, the student needs to take an additional step and register their living place in Population Register in Tallinn. How to use buy, register and use the card after that step can be found under section public transport.
Staying in Estonia as a non-EU citizen from non-EU/EEA country
If you are a non-EU student and you are staying in Estonia for more than 90 days, then you have to apply for the long-term visa (D-visa). Visa has to be obtained before arrival in Estonia. For more information please check:
– Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – here you can find among other things locations of our embassies
– Estonian Police and Border Guard Board – here you can find among other things visa information and consultation options
EBS recommends applying for a D-visa as soon as you have received your acceptance letter to ensure your paperwork is all in order before the semester starts and you don’t need to miss classes. The state fee for a D-visa application is 120€.
To use Tallinn public transport for free, the student needs to take an additional step and register their living place in Population Register in Tallinn. How to use buy, register and use the card after that step can be found under section public transport.
