An Estonian passport is an official document confirming the holder’s belonging to the Estonian people and equalizing the rights with citizens of other EU countries. There is an opportunity for foreigners to become Estonian citizens through a simplified procedure. Learn about key benefits of Estonian Residence below.
Obtain an Estonian Passport
At the legislative level, there are 4 options for registering the status of an Estonian citizen. Each of them provides for different requirements for the applicant, an individual package of documents, and terms of issue.
Naturalization
The standard process for obtaining Estonian citizenship involves living in the country with a residence permit for a period established by law. It usually takes 8 years to obtain an
Estonian passport by naturalization. First, a temporary residence permit is issued, and upon the expiration of its validity period, the residence permit status is replaced by permanent residence. Compliance with the requirements of migration legislation allows a foreigner to apply for citizenship. An applicant for an Estonian passport must successfully pass the national language proficiency test and renounce the current passport. The reasons for moving to Estonia can be:
- work;
- entrepreneurship;
- admission to training;
- investment;
- family reunification;
- outstanding service.
Watch also:
- How to obtain an e-residency in Estonia?
- How to get a residence permit in Estonia through a business?
Special skills
Assistance in the development of science, sports, culture, and other fields of activity in Estonia facilitates simplified legalization in the country. According to Art. 10 of the Citizenship Law, an Estonian passport can be issued to a foreigner on an individual basis. The right to propose a candidate for a particular person for obtaining the status of a citizen is granted only to members of the state government. There is a statutory limitation on the number of Estonian passports issued. Based on special merits to the state, up to 10 people can obtain citizenship within 1 year.
By birth
Following Estonian law, the status of a citizen is inherited by children. The basis for obtaining a passport is the fact that one of the child’s parents is an Estonian citizen. The conditions for granting the status are governed by Art. 5 of the Law “On Citizenship” and Section 8 of the Constitution. Registration of an application for an Estonian passport for children under 15 years old is carried out by parents or guardians. For foreigners, it is possible to simultaneously apply for a child’s passport together with the parent’s application for citizenship in Estonia.
Repatriation
A foreigner whose direct relative is of Estonian descent can become a citizen of the state under a simplified procedure in 1-2 months. The basis for issuing a passport for repatriation is confirmation of the belonging of one of the parents, grandparents to the people of Estonia, or the fact of birth on the territory of the country between February 24, 1918, and June 14, 1940. The choice of this method of obtaining citizenship allows you to keep the passport of the applicant’s country of origin valid, and also eliminates the requirement for prior residence in the state.
Benefits of Estonian Passport
At the legislative level, there are 2 types of identity cards in the state: an ID card intended for use in the EU, and a passport that allows you to travel to more than 175 countries of the world without a visa.
Traveling around the world without visas
With an Estonian passport, free travel is available to 175 countries of the world, including the United States of America, Japan, Canada. For visa-free border crossing, a valid foreign passport is sufficient; for entry into certain countries, additional registration in the electronic system is required.
Choice of any EU country for residence
Estonian citizens enjoy the right to live in any state of the European Union on a long-term basis. For permanent residence in one of the EU countries, you must register your place of residence with the police.
High level of medical care
The Estonian healthcare system is considered one of the most developed and efficient in the world. There is a North-Estonian regional hospital in the country with centers of competence in all areas of medicine, offering treatment for diseases of any complexity.
The official place of employment in the EU
There are no legal differences in employment between Estonians and citizens of other EU countries. After 15 years of work on the territory of the state, the right to receive old-age pension payments appears.
Getting a European education
An Estonian passport provides an opportunity to study at European universities in any specialty with the right to apply for a scholarship or grant. The University of Tartu is among the top three universities in the world.
Simplified business registration in Europe
Thanks to a favorable tax system and an educated workforce, it is quite easy to do business in Estonia. Business management is available both in the country and abroad online.
