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Migration and Home Affairs

Trainee in Estonia

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to carry out a traineeship in Estonia? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

  • 1 April 2025

Conditions

You can apply to carry out a traineeship in Estonia if you have a higher education degree for no longer than 2 years or if you are pursuing a higher education degree in a non-EU country. You must have a training agreement with a host entity/company in Estonia and the practical training must be related to the education acquired or to be acquired.

If you fulfil the conditions, you will be issued a long-stay visa or residence permit.

Procedures

Where and how to apply 

You can apply for a visa or residence permit at the foreign mission of Estonia or, in case you are legally in Estonia (e.g. with a visa), at the Police and Border Guard Board services.

You may work in Estonia by registering your short-term employment in Estonia at the Police and Border Guard or you need to apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard. Under the registration of short-term employment it is permitted to work for up to 365 days within 455 consecutive days.

Documents requiredYou need to provide a valid passport, photo, traineeship agreement, health insurance and be ready to prove sufficient financial resources in order to arrive and stay in Estonia.
Duration of validity of permits/visasIt is permitted to register a short-term employment for traineeship for up to 365 days within 455 consecutive days.
Appeals

You will receive a written notification for registration or refusal of registration of a short-term employment within 10 business days.

Appeals can be brought to administrative courts or a challenge may be filed against decisions to refusal within ten days from the date of notification of the decision. A decision on the challenge may be contested in an administrative court within the same term.

Rights

Change of status You may apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard services.
Family membersYour family members may accompany you and apply for a visa at the Estonian foreign representations or at the Police and Border Guard services under the same conditions as yours.
Long-term residenceIn order to apply for long-term residence, you need to have resided in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit for at least last five years before the submission of the application.