Living in :
Estonia
Once in Estonia, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
To enter Estonia to work you must have a full 10 year UK passport and it must be valid for at least 2 months after you plan to leave.
As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Estonia on the condition you have registered your residence (see below) and have applied for an ID-Card. However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go.
Smart Estonia - EU Citizens Entry & Residence
Smart Estonia - Work for EU Citizens
As a new resident, you will be expected to register your arrival within 3 months of entering Estonia with your local government authority nearest your home. Temporary residence will be granted for a 5 year period automatically. After this time, permanent residency can be applied for.
Smart Estonia - Registration of the place of residence
Kodakondsus - EU citizen's right of residence
Kodakondsus - Temporary Residence Permit for Employment
Kodakondsus - Temporary Residence Permit for Study
Kodakondsus - Temporary Residence Permit for Business Owners
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must join the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF).
Eesti Haigekassa - Estonian Health Insurance Fund
Smart Estonia - Health Insurance
Registration with the taxman is also essential, your employer should will do this for you. If you are self employed please talk to an accountant to ensure everything you do is legal. Contact details for your local tax office can be found via your local town hall.
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Like in most countries, childcare places are limited and you will need to apply well in advance. Speak to your local town hall for information on daycare facilities in your local area. Information regarding child care for pre-school children can be found here:
Smart Estonia - Daycare and Schools
Europa - Equal Opportunities
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 7 and finish complusory schooling around 17. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Estonian school?" These sites may help you with this decision.
ESIS - Education in Estonia
Smart Estonia - Daycare and Schools
English Schools - Estonia
Independent Schools - Estonia
About - Private Schools in Estonia
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, however it could take a while to find them. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
Smart Estonia - Family Physicians
Smart Estonia - Dental Care
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account is pretty simple. Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need.
Smart Estonia - Banking
EESTI Pank - Opening an account in Estonia
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Estonian authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
Driving Permit - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Estonian authorities and have it replaced with a Estonian Licence.
ARK - Driving Licences
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Estonian roads! The traffic laws are outlined here:
MNT - Estonian Road Administration
Smart Estonia - By Car
Europeaccident - Driving in Estonia
Europa - Getting there
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Estonia, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
You can drive your own car for 12 months in Estonia without the need to register it. However, if you plan on staying longer, it will need to be registered with the Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre.
Smart Estonia - By Car
ARK - Vehicles registration (official government website in English)
When buying a second hand car, always go with someone who knows about cars so they can look at it and help you decide if it is worth the money the person is asking. If you are unsure, buy from a reputable dealer and one that offers warrenties in case something goes wrong. You can find good deals in local papers and on the internet, but make sure you check it out properly.
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Estonia. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
4 International - Careers & Jobs
4ICJ
3 w Jobs - Jobs in Estonia
Jobs Abroad
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
Us Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Recycling hasn't really caught on yet in Estonia. However each area may have its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
In Your Pocket - Recycling
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Estonia
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Estonia.
More information can be found here:
Foreign Office - Marriage Formalities in Estonia
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British Nationals dying in Estonia
While in Estonia, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Tallinn will be of help.
Foreign Office - Deaths involving British Nationals in Estonia
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 110
Ambulance - 112
Fire Bregade - 112
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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