EU Blue Card in Estonia 2025: a comprehensive guide for highly qualified professionals

The EU Blue Card in Estonia is an opportunity for highly qualified professionals to live and work legally in the EU. Learn about the requirements, benefits, step-by-step application process, and legal nuances of obtaining a Blue Card in 2025

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Estonia is one of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe, actively attracting foreign specialists in IT, engineering, medicine, management, and other fields. One of the most convenient ways for such workers to legalize their status is the EU Blue Card, a special permit that grants the right to live and work in the country for citizens of non-EU countries.

At the same time, obtaining a Blue Card in Estonia not only allows you to legally work and live in the country, but also opens the door to most EU countries.

By the way, in 2024, Estonia significantly simplified the requirements and accelerated the procedures, making the Blue Card even more accessible to specialists from Ukraine and other countries.

What is an EU Blue Card and who needs it?

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit that also grants the right to work in a highly skilled field. In Estonia, it is issued on the basis of the Aliens Act.

Candidates who meet the following criteria are eligible for the card:

● have a higher education degree or proven significant professional experience;

● have received a job offer from an Estonian employer for a highly skilled position;

● meet the minimum wage requirements.

Basic requirements for the Blue Card in 2025

1. Qualifications. Higher education lasting at least 3 years/professional qualification confirmed by documents or at least 5 years of relevant experience (3 years is sufficient for IT specialists).

2. Employment contract. The minimum contract duration is 6 months (previously 1 year).

3. Salary level. General threshold: 1.5 × the average salary in Estonia (in 2024, approximately €2,528 per month). Shortage occupations (IT, medicine, engineering, science) — 1.24 × the average salary (approximately €2,089 per month).

Advantages of obtaining a Blue Card in Estonia

● Fast-track processing — up to 60 days.

● Family reunification is possible immediately after receiving the card, without waiting.

● Flexible change of employer — after 12 months, you can change your place of work without a new permit.

● Possibility to move to another EU country after 18 months of working in Estonia.

● Liberal rules in case of unemployment — you can stay in the country for 3-6 months without a new contract.

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How to obtain a Blue Card in Estonia: step-by-step instructions

1. Find an employer in Estonia and sign a contract (the contract must be signed before submitting the documents).

2. Make sure that the vacancy meets the Blue Card requirements (it must be a highly skilled job included in the list of professions for the Blue Card).

3. Prepare the documents:

● foreign passport;

● contract with the employer;

● documents confirming your education or work experience;

● confirmation of salary level;

● receipt of payment of state duty.

4. Submit the documents to the Estonian consulate (in your country of residence) or to the Police and Border Guard Board (if you are in Estonia).

5. Receive your card and register your place of residence.

If necessary, Visit Ukraine lawyers can check your contract, prepare a package of documents in accordance with Estonian legislation, and help you apply for a Blue Card without errors.

Cost of processing (state fee):

● initial application — €125;

● renewal — €96.

Validity and renewal of the Blue Card in Estonia

The card is issued for a period of up to 27 months (contract + 3 months) and can be renewed for up to 4 years and 3 months.

Important legal details for obtaining a Blue Card in Estonia

● All documents on education/experience must be translated, notarized, and, if necessary, apostilled (you can order professional translation and legalization of documents on the Visit Ukraine portal).

● The salary specified in the contract must meet the current requirements at the time of application (thresholds are updated annually).

● If you change employers during the first year, you will need to obtain a new permit.

● After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Estonia.

The Blue Card in Estonia is one of the most convenient legalization options for highly qualified specialists in the EU. New rules have reduced bureaucracy and simplified contract and formal education requirements. This is a real opportunity for specialists from Ukraine and other countries to quickly move, work, and integrate into the European environment.

Need help applying for a Blue Card? Contact Visit Ukraine lawyers – our specialists provide full support: from contract review and document preparation to communication with Estonian authorities. This minimizes the risk of rejection and saves you time.

Book a consultation today and take the first step towards legalization in the EU!

We remind you! Ukrainians who work remotely can apply for a special visa to Estonia. Read how to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa, what documents are required, and what requirements will apply to digital nomads in 2025 in our previous article.

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