The blog
Estonia, from the inside.
Paperwork, daily life, neighbourhoods, budget, culture: everything we wish we had known before unpacking.
Start a business in Estonia: FIE, OÜ and the business account compared
Start a business in Estonia in 2026: FIE at €20, OÜ at €265, the 20% business account, 33% social tax, 22% on distributed profit and 24% VAT above €40,000.
6 min readFamily and workSchools in Estonia for expat children: free state schools, kindergarten and international options
Schools in Estonia for expat children: free state school from age 7, learning to 18, kindergarten fees, the switch to Estonian and international options.
5 min readFamily and workRetiring in Estonia: the S1, tax on your pension and the Estonian state pension
Retiring in Estonia from the EU, Switzerland or the UK: your address, the S1 for health, 22% tax above €776 a month, Estonian pension age and how to apply.
6 min readPaperworkResidence in Estonia for EU citizens: registering your address and the five-year right
Residence in Estonia for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: three months free, then register your address, get a five-year right of residence and the ID card.
5 min readWhere to liveRenting in Estonia: the lease, the 3-month deposit and your rights
Renting in Estonia: written lease, deposit capped at three months, 30 days' notice for rent rises, 3 months' notice to end a lease and scams to avoid.
5 min readPaperworkOpening a bank account in Estonia: banks, documents and your right to a basic account
Bank account in Estonia for newcomers: Swedbank, SEB, LHV, Luminor, Coop Pank, documents asked, the basic account right and the €100,000 guarantee.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Estonia: the step-by-step guide to your first weeks
Moving to Estonia from the EU, Switzerland or the UK: register your address, get your personal code and ID card, then bank, tax and health, in order.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Estonia from the UK after Brexit: what you need now
Moving to Estonia from the UK after Brexit: why new arrivals need a residence permit, who the withdrawal agreement protects, plus driving, tax and health.
6 min readDaily lifeLiving in Estonia: language, saunas, winter and the unwritten rules
Living in Estonia as an expat: calm, direct manners, the sauna, Estonian lessons for newcomers, public holidays, the long winter and the 112 number.
5 min readBudgetIncome tax in Estonia for new residents: the 22% rate, the allowance and e-MTA
Income tax in Estonia for new residents in 2026: flat 22% rate, €700 monthly allowance, the 183-day test and filing on e-MTA from 16 February to 30 April.
5 min readHealthHealthcare in Estonia for expats: Tervisekassa, your family doctor and co-payments
Healthcare in Estonia for expats: who is covered by Tervisekassa, the 14-day wait, voluntary insurance at €3,264 a year, the S1, family doctors and fees.
6 min readPaperworkEstonian personal identification code (isikukood): how to get it and what it unlocks
The Estonian personal identification code (isikukood): who gets it, how the local government creates it, and the tax board's non-resident code.
5 min readPaperworkEstonian ID card, Smart-ID and Mobile-ID: how to get your digital identity
Estonian digital ID for newcomers: the €45 EU citizen ID card, Smart-ID, Mobile-ID, the eesti.ee portal and which services accept your foreign e-ID.
6 min readPaperworkEstonia e-Residency explained: a digital ID card is not residence
Estonia e-Residency explained: the €150 digital ID, what you can do online, why it is not a residence permit or visa, and the tax traps for your company.
6 min readPaperworkEstonia digital nomad visa: income test, 12 months and what it does not give you
Estonia digital nomad visa: the income test, up to 365 days, no renewal, state fees and the 183-day tax rule. A stay, not a residence permit.
6 min readPaperworkDriving in Estonia: your licence, registering a car, annual tax and winter tyres
Driving in Estonia as an expat: when to exchange your EU licence, registering a foreign car, the annual motor vehicle tax and winter tyre rules.
6 min readBudgetCost of living in Estonia: wages, tax, healthcare fees, childcare and the car
Cost of living in Estonia from official figures: €946 minimum wage, 22% income tax, 24% VAT, healthcare co-payments, kindergarten fee caps and car tax.
6 min readWhere to liveBuying property in Estonia as a foreigner: notary, land register and who may buy
Buying property in Estonia as a foreigner: who may buy, the compulsory notary, land register entry, state fees, the 85% loan cap and no buyer transfer tax.
5 min readWhere to liveBest places to live in Estonia: Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu compared
Best places to live in Estonia compared: Tallinn for work and Old Town, Tartu for students and a calmer pace, Pärnu for summers on the Gulf of Riga.
6 min readYour move, one step at a time.
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