Recently the Government of Estonia has endorsed a bill of amendment to the Aliens Act and given approval to create a digital nomad visa, reported by News ERR. The target of Estonia digital nomad visa is to allow e-residents enter the country to take care of their online business.
Previously, Estonia had launched an E-residency program which allows foreigners to get Estonia’s e-residency online while living abroad. E-residents can set up and run business in Estonia online remotely without visiting Estonia physically. However, e-residency is not a visa and it doesn’t allow foreigners to travel to Estonia. [Read Also: how to apply Estonia e-residency]
In 2018, There was some news that a new digital nomad visa would be created very soon for e-residency holders. This visa would allow nomad style workers to enter Estonia and work to grow up their business. In January 2020, The Estonian government approved the idea of starting digital nomad visa for those who are running their business online remotely.
Digital nomads are people engaged in web-based employment, for example IT, finance or marketing, while simultaneously travelling around various countries. “Digital nomads bring significant added value to the state by consuming goods and services and thereby having a positive impact on local entrepreneurship,” Interior Minister Mart Helme said.
According to the minister, Estonia is well-known for its innovative technological solutions and is an attractive destination for digital nomads on an international scale, but the current regulation of labor migration does not take digital nomads into account.
Update: the visa announced above has since launched. Estonia’s digital nomad visa is now issued as a long-stay (D) visa: teleworkers must show income of at least 132 euros per day (3,960 euros per month), the visa is valid for up to 365 days within twelve consecutive months, applications are submitted in person at an Estonian representation abroad or at a Police and Border Guard Board service point, and the state fee is EUR 120 (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). For the full current requirements, see our 2026 guide: Estonia Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements, Income Threshold and Application Process.