Estonia ~ Residence Permit for Regular Entrepreneurs
Time to Permanent Residency: 5 Years ~ Time to Citizenship: 10 Years
Under the Aliens Act, Non-EU citizens may apply for a temporary residence permit if they settle with a spouse, close relative or family reunification, to study, work or do business. In order to qualify for temporary residence, medical insurance and proof of income twice the level of subsistence in Estonia is required. In 2019, the subsistence level is €150 per month for the first family member and €120 per month for each additional family member.
The issuance of residence permits is subject to the annual immigration quota, which cannot exceed 0.1% of the Estonian permanent population in one year. This does not apply to American or Japanese applicants or to citizens applying for residency to do research or study.
Investment
Business Investment
Residency is granted to foreigners who participate in a company or operate as sole proprietors, or invest in a business activity in Estonia with at least €65,000 (€16,000 if self-employed). The capital stock, the subordinated liability and the amount of the fixed assets registered can be considered as investment.
Temporary residence permits usually have a validity of 5 years. After that, you may renew the permit or apply for permanent residency. Provided that your place of residence has been entered in the Estonian population registry, you have health insurance, permanent legal income (€260 / month) and an Estonian language B1 level.
After living in Estonia for 8 years, 5 of which must be holding a permanent residency permit, you may be eligible for naturalization. To become a citizen, Estonian language proficiency, passing an exam of the Constitution and the Citizenship Law, a permanent legal income (€ 260 / month) and loyalty to the Estonian state are all required.
Estonia does not recognize dual citizenship for naturalized citizens. Anyone who is granted Estonian citizenship by naturalization must renounce their previous nationality.
Requirements
– Have an actual place of residence is Estonia registered with the Population Register.
– Have health insurance.
– Business plan in Estonian or English.
The description of business plan must express the following data:
+ name and registry code of the company or the sole proprietor;
+ business idea – planned activities, potential clients and suppliers, plans of development, fixed assets available for the company, circulating capital, labour force being used;
+ financial forecasts for the next two financial years – projected income statement, balance sheet, cash flow forecast
+ Curriculum Vitaes of the persons who perform managerial and supervisory functions
+ Motivation – why the settling of the applicant in Estonia is important for the enterprise
After one year has elapsed, when applying for the extension of the residence permit, the investment requirement set for applications for a residence permit may be replaced by the sales income (if at least €200,000 per year) or by the social security tax paid in Estonia (in each month at least equal to the monthly social security tax paid in Estonia from the fivefold remuneration of Estonian annual average gross wages).
Documents Required
One passport-size photo- Evidence of Health Insurance
- Proof of income
- Proof of Residential arrangements
- Business Plan
- Investment Plan
- Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
- Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Documents Certifying Business Investment
- Receipt of payment of fees
- Original and photocopy of passport
- Expert committee statement
