Estonia: residency, citizenship and cost of living

Path to citizenship

Estonian citizenship by naturalisation comes after 8 years of residence on a permit, the last 5 permanently, with a long-term residence permit (granted after 5 years of temporary residence with B1 Estonian). You need exams in Estonian (B1) and on the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, a legal income and giving up your previous citizenship — dual citizenship is not allowed on naturalisation. The application goes to the government within six months. Russian citizens can naturalise, but since 2022 their visas and residence permits are restricted. Digital nomad visa time does not count; whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it.

• • 8 years of residence (the last 5 permanently) and a long-term residence permit

Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–1.

Monthly budget

Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.

Country scores (out of 100)

• Safety82
• Earning potential78
• Healthcare83
• Path to citizenship46
• Schools and education75
• Environment96
• Warm, sunny climate24

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Estonian Citizenship Act (Riigi Teataja)
• Long-term residence permit — after 5 years on a residence permit, with a valid temporary permit, permanent legal income, health insurance, a registered residence and at least B1 Estonian (Statistics Estonia, from police data)