Many foreigners want to find a job and successfully find a job in Estonia.
Why find the work in Estonia?
Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO, is a member of the Eurozone, and participates in the Schengen Agreement. All conditions for doing business have been created here. Besides, more than 80% of the population speaks English. Moreover, there are decent salaries and pensions in Estonia. Mild winters and cool summers allow any foreigner to feel comfortable in this small country.
Each potential labor migrant uses different ways to find work. You can use employment agencies or find a job online. No more than 30% of vacancies are distributed through free resources in Estonia. You can look for a job in the relevant sections of Estonian newspapers, for example, Eesti Ekspress or Eesti Pรคevaleht.
There are most popular websites to find the work in Estonia:
- www.cv.ee;
- www.workinestonia.com;
- www.cvok.ee;
- www.job.ee;
- www.careerjet.com;
- www.learn4good.com;
- www.job.ws/estonia;
- estonia.hh.ru;
- www.cvkeskus.ee
The most affordable option is to find a job via the Internet. These are all kinds of exchanges and portals that post vacancies.
About 30-50% of jobs are available without knowledge of the Estonian language. For an IT specialist, English may be much more important than Estonian, the level of salaries is different. The specialist receives from 1000 to 2000 euros, including taxes. An easier job can always be found. It is very easy to start your own business, the legislation in Estonia is transparent.
Salary level in Estonia
If you want to find work in Estonia, then you need to know the level of salary in the country. The minimum wage in Estonia for January 2021 is 584 EUR per month. For the European Union, this is not much. At the same time, the real salary is set during the interview and maybe slightly higher.
It should also be noted that the average salary is indicated without deducting all monthly tax deductions, which include:
- income tax of 20%;
- contribution to the unemployment insurance fund – 1.6%;
- contributions to the pension fund – 2%.
Without experience and knowledge of the language in Estonia, you can only get an unskilled seasonal job or as an auxiliary worker, salesman, etc. Of course, for example, a programmer may not know the Estonian language, but in this case, he cannot do without English.
The list of most popular professions for foreigners:
- IT specialists;
- builders;
- technicians and technologists;
- drivers of heavy vehicles;
- managers;
- doctors and nurses;
- school teachers and university teachers;
- service specialists;
- sales representatives;
- operators of machine tools and equipment;
- highly qualified construction workers;
- professions related to shipbuilding;
- workers at metallurgical enterprises;
- wipers, handyman
The most optimal is employment under a contract. In this case, the employee is maximally protected. He has a guaranteed salary and health insurance, and his working day is strictly regulated.
A full working day in Estonia is eight hours, two days off per week.
The nuances of obtaining an Estonian work visa
For employment, you will need to apply for a category D national work visa at the Estonian consulate in the applicant’s territory. Its validity period is up to one year. It should be noted right away that foreigners who are EU citizens do not need to apply for any visas or permits. It should also be borne in mind that a work visa does not make it possible to travel through the territory of the Schengen countries. To do this, you must additionally issue an appropriate visa.
When applying for a national work visa category D, for the work visa in Estonia the following documents will be required:
- a foreign passport, which must be valid for at least three months after the expiration of the visa;
- color matte photograph of 3.5 X 4.5 on a light background;
- a visa application form filled in and personally signed by the applicant;
- a letter from the employer about the conclusion of the contract;
- medical insurance policy in the amount of at least EUR 30 thousand;
- a written explanation of the purpose of entering the Republic of Estonia;
- certificate of the availability of cash security for the period of stay in the country;
- State fee that confirms your paid
- certificate from the place of work indicating the position and salary for the last six months;
- for students and schoolchildren – a certificate from the place of study;
- for pensioners – a pension certificate;
- for private entrepreneurs – copies of the certificate and registration, as well as an income statement for the last six months;
- confirmation of hotel reservations and tickets.
A work visa can be extended for up to 90 days at the request of a labor immigrant with the justification of such a need. In this case, it may be necessary to provide additional documents at the request of the relevant government services.
Often, to apply for seasonal work, it is enough to obtain a short-term category C visa, valid for three months. A short-term visa is issued in the same manner as a long-term national visa of category D.
Penalties for illegal employment
Illegal employment in Estonia can be costly for both the employer and the employee. For violation of labor legislation, the employer is fined 1,500 EUR.
No less harsh punishment awaits foreign immigrants who work without a properly issued permit. The employee can be fined from 600 to 1700 EUR. Also, the Estonian authorities can oblige the illegal to leave the country and prohibit the possibility of subsequent entry for up to ten years.
Internship and Practice Opportunities
In terms of internships, Estonia has earned well-deserved popularity among foreign students. After all, good practice makes it possible to find an interesting job in Estonia and obtain EU residence in the future.
The following areas of internship in Estonia can be distinguished:
- banking;
- Information Technology;
- travel business.