Estonia
In 2019, 5 900 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Estonia (excluding EU citizens), 22.3% more than in 2018. This figure comprises 33.6% labour migrants, 39.5% family members (including accompanying family), 22.6% who came for education reasons and 4.3% other migrants. Around 35 short-term permits were issued to international students and 100 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 5 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2019, an increase of 58% compared to 2018. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Russia and Finland were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2019. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (300) and Finland the largest decrease (-100) in flows to Estonia compared to the previous year.
In 2020, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by -55%, to reach around 45. The majority of applicants came from Russia (15), Syria (5) and Eritrea (5). The largest increase since 2019 concerned nationals of Eritrea (5) and the largest decrease nationals of Turkey (-15). Of the 70 decisions taken in 2020, 35.7% were positive.
Emigration of Estonians to OECD countries decreased by -8% in 2019, to 4 300. Approximately 38% of this group migrated to Finland, 11% to Germany and 8% to the Netherlands.
Starting from 1 August 2020, an amendment to the Aliens Act enables applications for a digital nomad visa. Under this scheme, visa holders will be able to work remotely from Estonia for an employer in another country, or as freelancers. Digital nomads can only come to work in Estonia through a mediator who assumes responsibility for their stay. Granting a visa to a digital nomad is subject to the general terms, including having sufficient funds for staying in Estonia. The implementation of the digital nomad visa programme will be phased. In the first stage, foreigners who can prove they are digital nomads will be allowed to apply for the visa. A convergence between the digital nomad visa and other Estonia’s e-solutions – especially e-residency, is also planned.
The preparation of a new national integration plan for 2021-30 is underway, which will formulate the objectives of the integration policy of Estonia and the activities needed to achieve them. The state wishes to recognise the value of everyone in society, support cultural diversity, and promote the Estonian language and culture. The new integration plan will include activities designed for native Estonians as well as the long-term foreign residents of Estonia. Also, more attention will be paid to new immigrants and refugees, as well as compatriots living outside Estonia.
The Tallinn City Centre Government and the Ministry of the Interior entered into a partnership agreement to develop an action plan to support the integration of new immigrants, compile a comprehensive overview on the needs of new immigrants and accessibility of services in the district, and co-ordinate a support network on a local level. The action plan will guarantee that all relevant information about the district reaches local English-speaking residents in a timely manner.
The Ministry of the Interior has submitted legislative amendments to the Aliens Act regarding international students and labour migration. These amendments aim notably at reinforcing requirements for short-term labour migration, including seasonal employment, for family reunification, as well as for the obtention of student visas.
Estonia reacted to the COVID-19 crisis by providing multilingual information and medical care to immigrants, and by covering all costs of their diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, even for those who are not insured in the public health system. In addition, all migration proceedings were temporarily suspended as of mid-March 2020. Immigrants with temporary visas who were unable to return had their visas automatically extended. In mid-March 2020, Estonia temporarily reintroduced border controls. Migration services only processed applications for short-term employment for foreigners already living in the country. Streamlined procedures were introduced for foreign-born physicians and agriculture workers. Personal interviews for asylum seekers were suspended and the Dublin transfers postponed.
