e-Governance in Estonia

Estonia is considered one of the world’s most advanced nations in terms of digitisation. The country has received significant recognition in this field, including being ranked among the top three most digitally-advanced countries in the world, according to a UN e-Government Survey.

Examples of digitisation milestones in Estonia include:

• Becoming the first country in the world to declare internet access a basic human right in 2000. In fact, almost all public spaces have been covered by free Wi-Fi for the last decade;
• Holding virtual elections, using the internet, since 2005. Today, 30% of Estonian citizens vote in elections online;
• Registering births, deaths and marriages remotely from home; and

• Declaring taxes online.

Although immigration processes are often perceived as complex and time consuming, Estonia is determined to prove that the immigration process can be made simpler through a seamless online process handled by a centralised government agency. This has been achieved by minimising the need for original documents and the creation of an online portal.

Processing Times

Estonia’s processing times are considerably faster than those of many other European countries. As an example of Estonia’s efficiencies, if eligible for the “top specialist” program, a work permit application for a non-EU national can be processed in a single day, whereas many EU countries require several months to review the supporting documents.

Furthermore, once the visa has been obtained, the employee may work immediately upon arrival without needing to obtain any further permits to prove their right of residence.

Even if not eligible for the “top specialist” category, the document requirements are streamlined to avoid any burdensome legalisations abroad that would add to the overall lead time, meaning that in many circumstances, applications can still be filed and approved within one month.

Digital Nomad Program

Digital nomad visas have become a hot topic in recent years due to the shift in working trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Estonia was one of the first EU countries to recognise this and implement a remote work initiative for foreign nationals.

The digital nomad visa was launched in 2020 and was specifically designed for foreign nationals working as employees or freelancers for clients based outside of Estonia and who meet the following requirements:

• Minimum of EUR 3504 per month (gross) for at least six months preceding the application;
• Ability to perform work duties remotely, as opposed to on a client or employer site; and
• Active employment contract with at least one company registered outside of Estonia or proof of recurring engagements with an established client base.

The document procurement takes approximately one-two months to prepare and, once filed at the applicant’s local Estonian consulate, a decision will be made within approximately 30 days from filing. The permit is valid for one year and although it cannot be renewed per se, new applications can be filed as the original visa nears the expiry date.

Estonian e-Residence

Estonia was the first country to offer e-Residency, a government-issued digital identity and status that provides access to Estonia’s transparent business environment. 

As opposed to granting a right of residence in Estonia, this process allows entrepreneurs from outside the country to start and run an Estonia-based company from abroad, entirely online. The e-Residency digital ID card cannot be used for travel purposes, and it does not display a photo for physical identification.

As evidence of how fast the process can be, in 2022, an Estonian e-resident broke the world record for the fastest company incorporation ever in 15 minutes and 33 seconds.

Need to know more?

For further information and advice on this topic, please contact Senior Manager Ben Morgan at [email protected] or Manager Bianca Stokhorst at [email protected]. This blog was published on 3 January 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes.

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