Long-term resident's residence permit
Official name: Pikaajalise elaniku elamisluba
People who have lived in Estonia for 5 years on a temporary residence permit can apply for a permanent long-term resident's permit. They need a registered address, stable legal income, Estonian health insurance and Estonian at B1, assessed by exam.
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
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Who it’s for
Foreigners who have lived in Estonia on temporary residence permits for 5 years.
Eligibility
5 years on a temporary permit
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need five years in Estonia on a temporary residence permit right before applying, plus a valid temporary permit when you apply.
5 years
Time required
Official wording
Five years in Estonia on a temporary residence permit immediately before applying, and a valid temporary permit at the time.
Address, income and insurance
Sign in to check this route against your profileResidence registered in the Population Register, stable legal income, and insurance with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.
Integration and Estonian B1
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow Estonian at B1 level or equivalent, assessed in an exam.
B1
Estonian language level
- Exempt: people educated in Estonian
- Exempt: people under 15
- Exempt: people over 65
- Exempt: people with limited active legal capacity
Official wording
Estonian at B1 or equivalent, assessed in an exam. Exempt: people educated in Estonian, under 15, over 65 or with limited active legal capacity.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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