The Estonia Digital Nomad Visa: Explained Simply

If you’re already a digital nomad, work remotely, or have ever wanted the chance to explore the world while working at your own pace, the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, or DNV, offers an amazing opportunity for overseas travelers.

But what does the Estonia DNV actually look like in practice? How do you apply, and what sorts of work are covered under the program? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)?

The Estonia Digital Nomad Visa grants you up to a year to temporarily, legally stay in Estonia while working online for overseas projects.

That means you can take your laptop to Estonia and work for international employers or as a freelancer with clients based all over the globe. You won’t get any permanent citizenship or residence rights, but for 12 months, you’ll get to explore a whole new country that might otherwise have gone under your radar.

Some prospective nomads might get the DNV confused with Estonia’s e-Residency program, which offers slightly different rights. We’ll cover what that entails shortly.

Essentially, however, with an Estonia DNV, you can simply grab yourself an eSIM for Estonia and spend the next year either working freelance projects or continuing your remote work - provided, of course, you meet eligibility requirements.

Digital Nomad Visa for Estonia: how it works and how to apply

You can apply for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa with an online application form, and you’ll need to submit it with any other supporting documents to your nearest Estonian Embassy.

Generally, you can expect the application process to take at least 15 days from when you submit your form and documents, but you may need to wait around a month. Don’t book any flights or arrange any accommodation until you hear back!

Comparing the DNV and e-Residency program

The main difference between the DNV and e-Residency in Estonia is that the latter gives you a secure, digital ID you can use to authenticate yourself online in the country. The main idea of the e-Residency program is that you’ll have access to Estonia’s fantastic range of entrepreneurship and freelancer support tools, and you can set up a company online.

This is a good choice if you aim to work in Estonia long-term and/or want to set up an enterprise that’s marketed towards Estonian people. However, the e-Residency doesn’t mean you have citizenship rights or residence claims, and you’ll still have to at least get a visa if you want to travel and stay, even for a temporary period.

The DNV doesn’t give you citizenship or permanent residency in Estonia either, but when used together, you can gain a robust foothold to build a freelance enterprise in the country while you arrange other paperwork.

Applying for e-residency in Estonia can take a little longer than with DNVs - you may need to wait up to two months.

Requirements, eligibility, and other considerations

Naturally, the Estonian government will need you to follow some guidelines before you can take a DNV with you on your new adventure.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, you must:

• Be flexible to work anywhere, regardless of your location
• Have proof that you have an employment contract, undertake business via your own company, or operate as a freelancer (and, on applying, that you do any of these outside of Estonia)
• Have proof that you make at least €4500 monthly, for at least the first six months of your intended stay
• Be able to carry out your work using telecommunications (so, through WiFi or an eSIM)

The income portion of your application is based on a figure of €150 per day, and the government simply expects that you can fund yourself for the first 30 days of your tenure. 

You can’t extend a DNV, but you can apply for a second visa at the end of your second, keeping in mind that you can’t stay in Estonia for longer than 548 days in every 730, consecutive.

Main advantages for digital nomads in Estonia

The pros of getting an Estonian DNV and working out here really do stack up:

• You’ll have complete freedom to work at your own pace
• You can explore Estonia’s unique culture and landscapes without being pinned to a physical office
• Estonia is a digital-first nation, having removed the need for much clunky, physical paperwork - most contracts, agreements, and work documentation are filed online
• It has an incredible internet infrastructure, with coverage even in some rural zones
• Cities like Tallinn are continuing to develop co-working spaces and areas for freelancers to base themselves in
• Estonia, generally, has a relatively low cost of living and ranks in the top 40 happiest countries worldwide

Possible disadvantages to consider

Before you start applying, keep in mind the following cons:

• Estonia is far from the brightest or the warmest of countries - it can take some getting used to
• It can be difficult being a nomad on your own in a new country
• You’re only allowed to stay and work for a short time, meaning it’s not always easy to move on if you get well-established
• You’ll still need to find accommodation
• Not everyone in Estonia speaks the same language - be sure to brush up on local terminology

How to apply for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to apply for your Estonia DNV:

• Pre-fill an application for the visa online.
• Choose between a C-Visa (90 days) or a D-Visa (365 days), and be prepared to pay either €90 or €120, respectively.
• Find a nearby Estonian representation that can process your application, and ensure you have all documents requested. You’ll at least need to prove your identity, your employment contracts, your financial status, health insurance, travel tickets, accommodation, studies, and job history, and offer a statement on why you’re applying. This DNV application checklist goes into more detail.

As mentioned, you’ll usually get your DNV within a month of applying, and you will need to collect from your representative.

Tax obligations for digital nomad visa holders

Taxes can seem scary for some digital nomads, but the golden rule in Estonia is that you must be registered to pay tax as an Estonian resident if you are here for more than 183 days in any consecutive period of 12 months.

If you’re unsure whether or not you need to pay tax at home or in Estonia, always make sure to check with your home revenue office and the Estonian authorities. It pays to be upfront and transparent on tax.

Important visa rules to know before moving to Estonia

There are standard visa rules for Estonia that will apply to you if you claim a DNV. Be sure to check out this helpful website that guides you through what to expect.

Crucially, you’ll need to have valid travel documents and be a permanent resident in the country you are applying from. Keep in mind, however, that Estonia is currently restricting visas, at the time of writing, for citizens heading from Russia and Belarus.

When applying for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, always make sure you have plans in place for your travel, your accommodation, and access to the internet! 

Never travel without an eSIM - a SIMOVO eSIM for Europe will give you even more freedom as a digital nomad to safely connect to local mobile networks and work from almost anywhere in Estonia.