The digital nomad visa in Estonia
An official visa for remote employees and freelancers with income from €4,500 a month (gross) — Estonia introduced the DNV as one of the first countries in the world, back in August 2020. There is a short-stay Type C format (up to 90 days) and a long-stay Type D (up to 365 days), but it is a visa, not a residence permit: there is no renewal, and family members apply separately.
Estonia introduced a separate visa category for digital nomads (the DNV) by an amendment to the Aliens Act that came into force on 1 August 2020 — Estonia became one of the first countries in the world with a visa for exactly this purpose, rather than a general residence permit based on income. The Type C format (short-stay, up to 90 days within 180) costs €90, and Type D (long-stay, up to 365 days) costs €120.
The DNV does not give resident status and does not open a direct route to permanent residence or Estonian citizenship. This visa cannot be extended or reissued (per the official e-Residency FAQ) — when it expires you have to leave; the maximum total stay on a DNV is 548 days in any 730 consecutive days.
What the service includes
| A consultation on choosing the visa format (Type C or Type D) and assessing the income against the requirements | |
| Checking the document set against the embassy's requirements | |
| Preparing the document pack (contracts, income statements, covering letters) | |
| Support with filing at an Estonian embassy or consulate | |
| Health insurance (arranged separately)— billed separately | |
| The state fee (€90 for Type C, €120 for Type D — paid by the applicant directly)— billed separately | |
| A residence permit — the DNV does not give one; moving the family or extending the status further are considered separately— billed separately |
What we need from you
- 1Income from €4,500 a month (gross), evidenced for at least the 6 months before filing
- 2An employment contract with a company registered outside Estonia, your own business abroad, or freelance work mainly with foreign clients
- 3Confirmed ability to work remotely, independently of location
- 4Valid health insurance covering treatment costs for the whole period of stay
- 5No criminal record — checked when the application is filed
- 6A valid passport and the standard visa document pack (application form, photograph, CV)
Frequently asked questions
Does Estonia's digital nomad visa give a residence permit?
What income is needed for the digital nomad visa in Estonia?
Do I have to pay tax in Estonia while on a DNV?
Can I move to Estonia on a DNV with my family?
Sources
- Embassy of Estonia in Washington (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mfa.ee) — the official Digital Nomad Visa page
- Embassy of Estonia in Canberra (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mfa.ee) — the official Digital Nomad Visa page
- e-Residency — the official Estonian state portal (Enterprise Estonia): Digital Nomad Visa vs e-Residency
- e-Residency — the official blog: FAQ on the digital nomad visa (timing, family, tax residence, stay limits)
Residence permit: other options
Compare terms in other countries and delivery formats.
Ready to start?
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “The digital nomad visa in Estonia” in Estonia. No markup on top.