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Estonia, located on the Great Northern Plain, is one of the smallest yet most beautiful countries in Europe. It is a paradise for nature lovers, offering vast green landscapes, clean air, and sustainable living. Thanks to its environmental efforts, Estonia ranks alongside Finland and Iceland for clean air quality.
One of the interesting facts about Estonia is that residents can use public transport for free, making it a highly convenient and eco-friendly country. Estonia also has the highest GDP per capita in Eastern Europe and has emerged as a leading study-abroad destination.
With high salary levels, excellent work–life balance, and a strong digital economy, Estonia offers promising job opportunities. As we move ahead, this guide will cover the highest-paying jobs in Estonia, the cost of living, the benefits of working in Estonia, and much more.
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Benefits of working in Estonia
Estonia is considered one of the wealthiest countries in Eastern Europe, with a high GDP and an excellent pay scale. Apart from financial advantages, the country offers several additional benefits, which are listed below:
- Estonia is covered by almost 90% forests, making it a true natural paradise. The country puts strong efforts into environmental protection, ensuring a clean and fresh living environment for anyone planning to move there.
- Employees in Estonia who work in labour or service roles receive employment benefits that are protected and regulated by law.
- Paid leave is granted to employees according to their employment contract, collective agreement, or national labour laws.
- Mandatory employee benefits in Estonia include paid leave, a three-pillar pension system, and employment insurance.
- Independent contractors or self-employed individuals in Estonia are not entitled to the same statutory benefits as regular employees.
- If an employer fails to provide the required facilities and benefits as per Estonian labour laws, the company may face fines and penalties.
For candidates looking for high-paying job opportunities in Estonia, here is a list of some of the top roles along with their average monthly salaries:
| Job Role | Average Salary (EUR/Month) |
|---|---|
| Doctors / Surgeons | EUR 10,200 |
| Judges | EUR 8,550 |
| Lawyers | EUR 6,920 |
| Bank Manager | EUR 6,520 |
| Chief Executive Officer | EUR 6,110 |
| Chief Financial Officer | EUR 5,700 |
| Orthodontist | EUR 5,500 |
| College Professor | EUR 4,890 |
| Pilots | EUR 4,070 |
| Marketing Directors | EUR 3,660 |
Working Rules In Estonia
According to the Employment Act and Estonian Labour Law, several regulations are established to protect both employees and employers. Some of the key rules are mentioned below:
- The legal working age in Estonia is 18 years. However, individuals aged 15 can work with the permission of their parents or labour authorities.
- A standard workweek in Estonia consists of 5 working days. The maximum working time is eight hours per day, as specified in Estonian Labour Law.
- According to Estonia’s Employment Act, employees must be paid 1.5 times their basic salary for overtime work.
- As per labour regulations, the minimum hourly wage in Estonia is EUR 4.3. For full-time employees, the minimum monthly salary must be at least EUR 725.
- If an employment contract specifies night-time work, the employee must be compensated at 1.25 times their basic pay.
- The Labour Law Act ensures that employees receive paid leave and annual paid vacation as part of their employment benefits.
- Employees in Estonia are entitled to 12 public holiday leaves each year.
- The labour code also provides sick leave benefits for up to 250 days. During this period, employees receive 70% of their previous year’s average salary.
- Female employees are eligible for 140 days of maternity leave under Estonian labour regulations.
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Requirements to Work in Estonia
Working in Estonia requires understanding the country’s visa system, employment rules, and documentation process. Estonia follows a streamlined approach where your visa or residence permit determines both your right to stay and work in the country.
1. No Separate Work Permit Required
Estonia’s system is simpler compared to many other countries.
- For non-EU citizens, the residence permit for employment allows both living and working in Estonia.
- EU/EEA citizens do not require a work permit; they only need to register their place of residence.
- Short-term and long-term employment categories are handled through different visa types but do not require an additional work permit document.
2. Visa and Residence Permit Types
Your visa depends on how long you want to stay and the type of work you plan to do.
a) Short-Stay Options
- Short-term employment can be registered for up to 365 days.
- You will need a long-stay (D) visa for stays longer than 90 days but under one year.
b) Long-Term Employment
- For work lasting more than a year, you need a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for employment.
- The employer must prove job relevance, meet salary requirements, and register your employment.
c) EU Blue Card
Suitable for highly skilled professionals such as IT professionals, engineers, medical experts, and researchers.
- Requires higher education or relevant experience.
- Offers faster processing, higher salary eligibility, and long-term stability.
3. Employment Registration Requirements
Before you start working:
- Your employer must register your short-term employment with the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB).
- A valid employment contract must be signed before arrival or after reaching Estonia.
- You must provide necessary documents such as your passport, health insurance, job offer, and proof of financial means.
4. Language Requirements
- While many companies operate in English, some sectors require Estonian.
- Learning basic Estonian improves job prospects and integrates you into society..
- English is widely used in IT, tech, digital marketing, and start-ups.
- Estonian may be required for jobs in healthcare, education, social work, or government services.
Learn about how to get jobs abroad
How to Find a Job in Estonia?
Estonia offers multiple convenient and digital-friendly ways to explore job opportunities. Its strong start-up ecosystem and transparent job market make job hunting easier for international candidates.
1. Online Job Portals
These are the most reliable platforms for finding legitimate vacancies:
- Work in Estonia
- CV Keskus
- CV Online
- EURES (European Job Mobility Portal)
- LinkedIn Jobs
- MeetFrank (mobile-based job discovery app)
These portals list openings in tech, engineering, healthcare, marketing, and finance sectors.
2. Company Career Pages
Many employers prefer hiring directly through their official websites.
- Visit the career pages of leading companies such as Bolt, Wise, Nortal, Playtech, Skeleton Technologies, and various IT start-ups.
- Multinational companies in Estonia hire foreign talent regularly, especially in tech and business operations.
3. Recruitment Agencies
Some agencies specialise in international hiring:
- Manpower Estonia
- Adecco Estonia
- HR Estonia
- Brandem
- CV.ee partnered agencies
They help match your skills with suitable job openings.
4. Social Media and Professional Networks
Networking is highly effective in Estonia’s digital economy.
- Join LinkedIn groups related to Estonia jobs.
- Connect with expat communities working in Estonia.
- Attend virtual job fairs and webinars.
- Engage with Estonian start-up and tech community events.
5. Public Employment Services
Estonia’s public employment service (Eesti Töötukassa) provides:
- Job listings
- Career counseling
- Labour market information
- Support for foreigners seeking jobs
6. Essential Job Search Tips
To increase your chances:
- Check visa and salary requirements before accepting an offer.
- Prepare a CV in the European format (Europass).
- Customise your cover letter for each job application.
- Highlight digital skills—Estonia values tech-savvy workers.
- Apply early, as hiring cycles move quickly in Estonia.
To learn more about getting jobs in Estonia, watch this video:
FAQs
Top-level specialists, IIT specialists, Founders and Developers have high pay scales in Estonia; their monthly salary is at least equal to double the average gross salary in Estonia.
You’d probably need to be making anywhere between
EUR 1500- EUR 2000 Per month if you want a nice comfortable living. The amount between EUR 1500- EUR 2000 put well above average.
Healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing are a few industries that have a high demand for jobs. Estonia has a high rate of approval for work visa applications and side-by-side foreigners are in high demand in Estonia.
A low salary in Estonia would be around EUR 654. This is the minimum wage that you will get if you are employed in the country. The minimum wage is often determined by the government and is periodically reviewed.
Yes. You can take up two jobs in Estonia. However, the condition is that you need to work for the employer on whose basis you have got the residence permit. You must also ensure that the job doesn’t change.
Relevant Reads
To get more updates about Jobs in Estonia or about Salaries, Visas and Universities abroad follow Leverage Edu’s page.
Leave a Reply
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i wish to be there
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Hey winfridah chitambala,
You can check out popular job sites in Estonia like CV Keskus and CV.ee for jobs. Once you get a job you can apply for an Estonia work visa.
On the other hand, if you are just interested in tourism, you can apply for an Estonia tourist visa, and explore the country.
For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.
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2 comments
i wish to be there
Hey winfridah chitambala,
You can check out popular job sites in Estonia like CV Keskus and CV.ee for jobs. Once you get a job you can apply for an Estonia work visa.
On the other hand, if you are just interested in tourism, you can apply for an Estonia tourist visa, and explore the country.
For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.