EstoniaResidence permit

Family residence permit in Estonia

A residence permit for moving to Estonia to join a spouse, child, parent or another family member who is an Estonian citizen or a foreign national with a residence permit. The applicant proves sufficient income and goes through a check of the documents, including a certificate of no criminal record. They register their place of residence in the population register. The term of the permit does not exceed the term of the inviting party's permit; later you may apply for long-term residence and citizenship.

Source: Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet (politsei.ee)

Who it suits and how to start

A residence permit for family reunification may be obtained by a foreign national who wishes to live in Estonia with a family member. There are different categories for spouses, children, parents and guardians.

The main categories

The spouse of an Estonian citizen or of a foreign national with a permit
A minor child of a parent resident in Estonia
An adult child joining a parent
A parent or grandparent in need of care

The main requirements

An invitation from the family member living in Estonia
Income of at least twice the subsistence level
Documents proving lawful income over 6 months
A certificate of no criminal record and medical insurance

When the programme is not a fit

You are an Estonian or EU citizen

EU citizens use the free movement regime. Estonian citizens do not need a residence permit in their own country.

You have another ground for a residence permit (work, study, business)

File an application for a residence permit for that purpose (a work permit, a study permit and so on)

The inviting party is not an Estonian citizen and holds no residence permit

The inviting party has to obtain a residence permit in Estonia first

What it costs

State fee (filing in Estonia)The charge for filing the application at a Police and Border Guard Board office in Estonia	115 EUR
State fee (filing at a foreign representation)Applies where the application is filed through an embassy or consulate	145 EUR
Delivery of the document to a foreign representationAn additional charge for sending the residence permit card to an embassy	+20 EUR
Change of the place of collection of the documentA charge for changing the previously stated place of issue of the card	+10 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Delivery of the document to a foreign representation” adds 20 EUR; “Change of the place of collection of the document” adds 10 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	260–290 EUR

Paid separately

Fee for advice from a migration adviser — This is an additional private service and is not part of the state fee
The cost of preparing documents and certificates — This includes obtaining a certificate of no criminal record, income statements, translations and notarial certification — the cost varies

Documents to gather

The list of documents for filing an application for a residence permit for family reunification. All foreign documents must be translated into Estonian or English and, where required, notarially certified.

A completed and signed invitation from the spouse or family member living in Estonia
A marriage certificate (if the marriage was concluded outside Estonia)
Documents confirming the family relationship (a birth certificate, a decision on guardianship and so on)
Documents on lawful income for the last 6 months, showing the amount, the regularity and the source of the income
A certificate of no criminal record from every country where you lived for more than three months in the last three years
A valid identity document or passport
A digital photograph meeting the requirements for document photographs
Proof of payment of the state fee (a payment order or a receipt)
A medical insurance contract with an Estonian insurer (or a written undertaking to conclude one within two months of arrival)

How the process runs

Obtaining a residence permit for family reunification involves filing the application, its review and collection of the card. The time it takes depends on how complete the documents are and on the way the application is filed.

1
Prepare the documents and the invitation
2-4 weeks
The inviting party completes and signs the invitation. The applicant collects all the documents required: proof of income, a certificate of no criminal record, a marriage certificate (if needed) and the other papers. All foreign documents are translated and certified.
2
File the application with the Police and Border Guard Board
1 day
The applicant files the complete set of documents at a Police and Border Guard Board office in Estonia or through an embassy. When filing in person, fingerprints and a digital photograph are taken (unless they were taken less than 6 years ago). Filing by e-mail with a digital signature is also possible.
3
Check that the documents are complete
1-2 weeks
An officer checks whether the application contains all the documents required. If anything is missing, the applicant is asked to provide the missing papers or additional information.
4
Review of the application
up to 90 days
The authority reviews the application, checks that the conditions are met and carries out record checks. If grounds for refusal come to light, the applicant is notified and given the opportunity to state their position.
5
Receive the decision
1-2 days
The applicant receives a written decision granting or refusing the permit. Where the decision is positive, the period of validity of the residence permit is stated. Where it is refused, the reasons are explained and the applicant may appeal within 10 days.
6
Production and issue of the residence permit card
30 days
After a positive decision the residence permit card is produced within 30 days. The applicant is notified that the card is ready and collects it at the stated place of issue of documents.
7
Register your place of residence in the population register
1-2 days
After receiving the residence permit card the applicant has to register their place of residence in the Estonian population register at the local municipal office. This is required for lawful residence and for access to public services.

Who you can bring with you

A residence permit for family reunification may be obtained by several categories of family member. Each category has its own specific requirements as to the inviting party and the family relationship.

A spouse

The inviting party must be an Estonian citizen or a foreign national with a residence permit. Proof of the marriage is required. If the marriage was concluded abroad, a marriage certificate is needed.

A minor child (under 18)

The inviting party (the parent) must be an Estonian citizen or a foreign national with a residence permit. The child must not be married and must not be living independently. A birth certificate or documents on guardianship are required.

An adult child

An adult child may join a parent (an Estonian citizen or a holder of a residence permit). Documentary proof of the family relationship and a reason for joining them are required.

A parent or grandparent

The inviting party (the child or grandchild) must be an Estonian citizen or a foreign national with a permanent residence permit and must have sufficient income (twice the subsistence level) to support the parent. The parent must be in need of care that cannot be obtained in their country of residence.

A ward (a person under guardianship)

The guardian must be an Estonian citizen or a foreign national with a residence permit. A court decision on guardianship or another document confirming the lawfulness of the guardianship is required.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

There is an obligation to register your place of residence in the population register after the residence permit has been obtained.

A residence permit for family reunification may be extended for up to 10 years at a time, but no longer than the period of validity of the inviting party's residence permit. If the inviting party is an Estonian citizen, the permit may be extended for the full term (up to 10 years). The extension is filed before the current residence permit expires. The same documents on income and medical insurance are required for the extension as for the initial application.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

A long-term resident's residence permit is granted after 5 years of living in Estonia on a temporary residence permit immediately before filing. You need stable lawful income, Estonian at level B1, registration of your place of residence in the population register and Health Insurance Fund cover. It is issued indefinitely.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship is granted after 8 years of living in Estonia, 5 of them permanently, holding a long-term residence permit or the right of residence. You take an examination in the Estonian language and an examination on the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, and prove permanent lawful income and registration of your place of residence.

Frequently asked questions about Family residence permit

How long is a residence permit for a family member valid for?

The residence permit is issued for up to 5 years, but no longer than the inviting party's residence permit is valid. If the inviting party is an Estonian citizen, the permit may be issued for the full term (up to 5 years). On extension it may be increased to 10 years at a time, subject to the same limit relating to the inviting party.

What happens if I want to stay in Estonia after the residence permit expires?

After 5 years of continuous residence on the basis of a residence permit for a family member you may apply for a long-term residence permit (permanent residence). For that you need stable lawful income, to complete integration and reach level B1 in Estonian, to have medical insurance and a registered place of residence. The long-term permit is issued indefinitely.

What income is required to obtain a residence permit for a family member?

Income of at least twice the subsistence level set in Estonia is required. That level is determined each year in the state budget. The income must be lawful, and you must provide documents confirming its amount, its regularity and its source for the last 6 months before the application is filed.

Do I need medical insurance to obtain a residence permit?

Yes, you must hold a medical insurance contract with an Estonian insurer. If you cannot take out a policy before receiving the permit, you may provide a written undertaking to conclude one within two months of arriving in Estonia. For that period you must hold temporary insurance (travel insurance, for example) covering unexpected illness and accidents.

How long does it take to process a residence permit application?

The application is processed within up to 90 days from the moment it is accepted or the last shortcomings are remedied. After a positive decision the residence permit card is produced within 30 days. If you filed the application through an embassy, the time for delivering the documents is added to these periods.

Do I have to register my place of residence after receiving the residence permit?

Yes, you are obliged to register your place of residence in the Estonian population register (rahvastikuregister) after receiving the residence permit card. Registration has to be done at the local municipal office (the rural municipality administration). This is a condition of lawful residence in Estonia and gives you access to public services and social security.

Other ways to move to Estonia

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Estonia.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.