International protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection) and temporary protection for Ukrainians
Official name: Rahvusvaheline kaitse / ajutine kaitse
Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) handles claims for international protection. People at the border apply to a border guard; people already in Estonia apply at a PBGB service point (in Tallinn, Pärnu mnt 139). People displaced from Ukraine can instead get temporary protection, a residence permit with rights similar to residents.
Life in Estonia
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
76
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Flat 22%
Income tax (national)
VAT 24%
Flat 22%; basic exemption EUR 700/month (EUR 8,400/year) from 2026. A planned rise for 2026 was cancelled.
Living
1
Happiness
#44 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People who fear persecution or serious harm at home, and people displaced from Ukraine after 24 February 2022.
Eligibility
Where to apply
At a border crossing to a border guard officer if you have no visa, travel document or Estonian permit; inside Estonia at any PBGB service point (Tallinn: Northern Prefecture service point, Pärnu mnt 139).
Procedures and time limits
Estonia sets maximum processing times that depend on which procedure your international protection case follows.
Maximum time by procedure
- Border procedureup to
- 12 weeks
- Accelerated procedureup to
- 3 months
- Standard procedureup to
- 6 months
Official wording
Border procedure up to 12 weeks; accelerated procedure up to 3 months; standard procedure up to 6 months.
Temporary protection: whoPeople displaced from Ukraine
You need to be a Ukrainian citizen or family member who fled the fighting and arrived after 24 February 2022.
For arrivals after 24 February 2022- Non-Ukrainian beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine, with family, are also covered
- People already in Estonia before 24 February 2022 are not covered
Official wording
Ukrainian citizens and their family members who came after 24 February 2022 having fled the fighting, and non-Ukrainian beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine with family. Not people who were already in Estonia before that date.
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- 1 more requirement
- 3 documents
- 3 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Estonia
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyTemporary residence permit for study
- Work permitsTemporary residence permit for employment
- 3 more routes with Premium
