From Digital Nomad Visa to Estonian Residence Permit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa has become increasingly popular among remote workers and global freelancers. But what happens when you fall in love with the country and want to stay longer than one year? Can you transition from a digital nomad visa to a residence permit in Estonia?

✅ The short answer is: yes — it’s possible. At Expat Legal Estonia, we've successfully helped many clients navigate this transition. While every situation is unique and eligibility can vary, here's a general roadmap to making Estonia your long-term home.

Step 1: Set Up an Estonian Company (via e-Residency or notary)

The most straightforward path is to become employed by your own Estonian company. To do this easily, we recommend applying for Estonia’s e-Residency program.

💡 Note: Holding an e-Residency card doesn’t grant you the right to stay in Estonia, but it makes setting up and managing a company much simpler.

Step 2: Move Your Business Under the Estonian Company

Once your Estonian company is established, begin routing your freelance or remote work income through it. This transition creates a legitimate employer-employee relationship, where your company becomes your employer.

Step 3: Meet the Salary Requirement & Apply for a Residence Permit

Once your company has 3+ months of consistent business activity and is financially stable enough to pay you a monthly salary, you can apply for a residence permit based on employment.

You’ll need to prove your company pays at least the average Estonian gross monthly salary, which is

updated annually.📊 You can find the current figure here:Estonia Average Monthly Wages

Need Help with the Process?

We’ve helped dozens of digital nomads and expats make Estonia their permanent home. If you have questions or need legal support, feel free to reach out:

📩 ingmar@expatlegalestonia.com