Live and work in Estonia

Basic facts about Estonia 

The Republic of Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, bordered by Latvia and Russia. It takes up an area of 45,338 km² and around 1.3 million people live there. The currency has been the euro (€) since 2011. You can experience four distinct seasons, with mild summers and cold winters.  In a country of forests and extremely clean air, the expat community is relatively small but vibrant. 

5 fun facts about Estonia

1. It is mandatory to have safety reflectors when you walk or bike at night. Otherwise, you can get a fine of up to €400.
2. You probably didn’t know that Estonia is the motherland of Skype. It’s for sure a technologically advanced nation. 
3. Earth in Estonia is considered to be one of the cleanest in the entire world! One of the reasons why might be that around 50% of the territory is covered by forests.
4. In the capital city, Tallinn, public transportation is free to make it more attractive, choosing to reduce pollution emission. 
5. Suur Munamägi is the highest point in Estonia. It is 318 metres, so you can imagine the entire country is pretty flat. 

Nurtured culture in Estonia

Estonia has had its own distinct culture for thousands of years. Folk songs, dance, and handcraft all have a strong reference to modern traditions. There are many events organised in Estonia during the year where the main topics are national customs. 

Family is the central focus of social life and hierarchy plays an important role, which means that age, experience, and position matter. 

Estonians tend to be rather quiet and reserved. They don’t like to draw attention to themselves, and they develop relationships over time – and they will open up over time. Titles like Mr or Mrs are also very important, and you can use the first names once you are invited to do so. It’s also of high importance to be on time, as punctuality is appreciated. Same goes for keeping your word, and they respect being rational. All of this might seem a little bit strict, but don’t be afraid. It’s easier to adjust to in real life than you think. 

Extraordinary cuisine in Estonia 

National cuisine in Estonia is closely connected to the seasons. The key ingredients are potatoes, pork, and rye bread, and in the coastal areas also fish. They love dairy products as well. Traditionally Estonians season dishes only with salt and pepper, which is why Estonian cuisine is not spicy nor very seasoned. This doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a lot of delicious and unique meals you should try being there. Even though it might seem special at first, give it a chance and let yourself be surprised. 

Here you can take a look at some of the popular Estonian dishes:

1. Kohuke – sweet snack
2. Kohupiimakreem – crud cheese with vanilla sugar and ice cream 
3. Kiluvõileib – open faced sandwich with a sprat filet 
4. Hernesupp Suitsulihaga – pea soup with smoked pork hock
5. Sült – meat jelly

Renting in Estonia

Finding accommodation in Estonia is not difficult, and the prices vary depending on the location. Living in the city centre of Tallinn may cost more than in the outskirts of the city. And living in Tartu is in general cheaper. However, the prices all together are not sky-rocketing so you can find flatshares and apartment renting for reasonable prices. 

The best websites to find accommodation in Estonia are city24, kv.ee,  kuldnebors.ee and 1home.eu. There are particular things you should know before renting in Estonia:

• Ask if the building has an active apartment cooperative.
• Ask the neighbours how it is to live there.
• Take into account the winter expenses, you can ask for the previous winter bill.

Cost of living in Estonia

Costs of living in Estonia are low compared to other countries in Europe. However, it’s higher than in its Baltic neighbours. Salaries are proportional to expenses and the standard of living is high. For this reason, you can afford a nice life as an expat. Of course, expenses vary depending on how close to the city centre you live in or what season. Here you can take a look at a few examples of basic everyday living costs: 

* Prices can vary depending on the neighbourhood, the number of people living in the apartment and facilities.

**Depends greatly on your diet and which shops you buy food and drinks from.

Expats in Estonia

You can find a lot of expat groups on social media, especially in the capital city. Look at their comments about the country, tips and adverts. Maybe someone is currently looking for somebody to meet for coffee and or flatmate. You can also pay attention to events organised in your neighbourhood. The more you will socialise the faster you will feel at home in a new place. 

Also, you can make friends at work. After all, that is why you came here. It’s always good to have contact with colleagues. No matter if they will be locals or expats, everybody will have something interesting to say. Don’t be afraid to meet people, ask and share your experience. 

Where to learn Estonian

The official language is Estonian, but Russian is also widely used. Even when the majority of people speak English, it will be useful if you know the basics of the language to communicate. If you’re thinking about staying longer in Estonia to build your career here, then you need to learn more than the basics of the language. To do so, you get a free welcoming program with courses to all foreigners who have lived there for less than 5 years (Level A1). Also, there are apps like Lingvist or Speakly. 

To reach a higher level you could try online courses with Keeleklikk or Keeletee, or Facebook groups where you can arrange meetings to practise the language with other people.

Why Estonia

Estonia is a thriving country with a market open to fresh minds. High standards of living, relatively low costs and great work opportunities with a lot of perks make this place worth considering.

If you feel like this digitally developed country is a place for you, you are welcome to check our Job offers in Tallinn. When the time for leaving home will come, our guidance about how to prepare beforehand might be helpful for you. You can access it by clicking HERE.

Still not convinced about Estonia?

The charming capital city Tallinn will take you away to a fairy-tale state of mind with cobblestone streets, charming towers and colourful merchant houses. Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is remarkably preserved, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Estonia, particularly in cities like Tallinn, has a fun nightlife. The capital city offers a wide range of bars, clubs, pubs, and lounges catering to different tastes and preferences. The Old Town of Tallinn is particularly known for its lively atmosphere with numerous bars and clubs. Additionally, during weekends and holidays, there are often events, concerts, and festivals that contribute to the energetic nightlife in Estonia.

Estonians have a deep-rooted love for saunas, which is a traditional steam bath ritual. Embrace this cultural tradition by indulging in a sauna session with friends or even floating in a frozen lake before diving back into the warmth. It’s an invigorating and relaxing experience that will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Nature lovers will also find their paradise in Estonia’s pristine landscapes. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of dense forests, where ancient trees whisper stories of the past. Explore Lahemaa National Park, where the coastlines meet picturesque bogs, or explore to Soomaa National Park, where you can canoe through flooded forests during spring.