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 your 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 both steps you have obtained right of temporary residence. The state fee for an Estonian ID card is 45€.
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
If you are a student from EU/EEA country and hold a visa/permanent residence permit from that country, your further actions depend on if the visa/residence permit you have is issued under EU directive 2016/801. Make sure to check the type of visa/residence permit you have. If you are unsure, please contact Estonia’s migration consultant (details below).
If your visa/residence permit is issued under directive 2016/801
You do not need to apply for an visa nor register your place of living. Please also note that due to that you won’t have an option to use free transportation in Tallinn.
If your visa/residence permit is not issued under directive 2016/801
You need to apply for a D-visa (Estonian Police and Border Guard Board) before your arrival to Estonia. EBS recommends applying for a D-visa as soon as you have received your acceptance letter to ensure 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€.
Please note that visa holder cannot register their place of residency in Tallinn, so they won’t be able to use free transportation in Tallinn.
Staying in Estonia as a non-EU citizen from non-EU/EEA country
If you are a non-EU student, the origin of your country determines what are your further actions. Check if you come from visa-free country: Who does not need a visa to visit Estonia? | Välisministeerium.
If you come from a visa-free country
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 you have to apply for a D-visa (Estonian Police and Border Guard Board).
EBS recommends applying for a D-visa as soon as possible once you arrive in Tallinn. The state fee for a D-visa application is 120€.
Please note that visa holder cannot register their place of residency in Tallinn, so they won’t be able to use free transportation in Tallinn.
If you don’t come from a visa-free country
You have to apply for a long-term visa (D-visa) before arrival to 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€.
Please note that visa holder cannot register their place of residency in Tallinn, so they won’t be able to use free transportation in Tallinn.
Migration consultant’s contact details:
Telephone: 612 3500 (Mon-Fri 9.00-15.00)
Email: migrationadvice@politsei.ee
