Living In Estonia As An Expat part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here.
The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Introduction
The first thing you may be wondering is ‘why would I want to live in Estonia?’ and the answer is quite simple. At first glance, Estonia may not be as flashy and cosmopolitan as other cities such as London or New York, but it has its own charm that many foreigners fall in love with.
So, what will you need to do if you plan on moving here? The first thing you will have to do is apply for a residence permit. You can find more information about the type of permits available and how to apply on this platform.
After submitting your application, it will be processed by the Police and Border Guard Board. Once they approve your application, you will receive a temporary residence permit, valid for one year. After that, you’ll have to renew your permit every year. But, if you plan on living here long term and want full citizenship is where things get a little bit more complicated.
According to the government’s official website, it can take up to twelve years before an individual becomes eligible for citizenship. However, worry less, as we’ve got you covered on this platform! Have you been surfing the internet to get the right information about living in Estonia as an expat?
Well, if your answer sounds like a Yes, you’re on the right track. Today, we will walk you through the concept of living in Estonia as an expat. Not only is that, but we have compiled this article to explain the fun facts, pros, cons, and the best places suitable for expat in Estonia. Would you love to know more? Read further!
10 Interesting Facts about Living in Estonia
Estonia is a small country in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. It’s lately been getting more and more popular as a place to live, and with good reason. In this section, we will walk you through the interesting facts about living in Estonia as an expat. Without further ado, check it out below!
1. Neighboring Countries
You might know that Estonia is a Baltic country, neighboring Latvia and Russia (Läti and Venemaa). Well, did you also know that it shares its longest border with Finland? The Russian border is only short of 360 km – the Finnish one covers approximately 1 000 km. And how about the third Baltic country? It’s Lithuania, of course!
2. The Most Northern Capital in the World
Estonia has only 1.3 million inhabitants! It’s one of Europe’s smallest countries regarding a population (Venemaa has 143 million!). Tallinn is its capital and largest city, located on the north coast. Did you know that it’s also the most northern capital in the world?
3. Estonians Are Extremely Happy
Estonian people have a reputation for being angry and stern, but in surveys, they always show up as one of the happiest people in the world. This is probably because they live a very simple life with few possessions and without all that much stress. That doesn’t mean that your own happiness will increase, however – but it is still interesting to note! So, be rest assured of freedom and meeting friendly people.
4. Most Wired Country in the World
In many ways, Estonia is at the forefront of technology. For example, it’s the first country in the world to have nationwide wireless internet service. This means that pretty much everyone in Estonia can access the internet from anywhere – whether they’re in the middle of a field or not. It’s also home to Skype, which was created by Estonians and has revolutionized online communication worldwide.
5. Greenest Countries in Europe
Estonia is often called “the land of a thousand lakes.” This makes it more lakes here than dry land, but this isn’t true. Just over 1,500 lakes cover about 3% of the country. Despite their small size, though, these lakes are a big part of Estonian culture and life. Fishing is a popular pastime, and many people take their vacations in the countryside, enjoying the natural beauty of the lakes.
6. The Estonian Language Has Been Around For Over 1,000 Years
The first mention of the Estonian language is in a Viking parchment map from the year 1154, and it even says at the bottom: “Men did not discover this land.” Even though we don’t know much about our early history, we know that the Finno-Ugric tribe settled in Estonia around 7,000 years ago. Since then, the Estonian language has been used for thousands of years without interruption.
7. You Can Choose Your First Name
In Estonia, a baby’s first official document is a birth certificate. It is possible to change the family name and given names of the child by filling out a simple form at the registrar’s office—something unheard of in many other cultures! As such, you will often see children with names such as “Apple,” “Butterfly,” and “Thor.”
8. The Language Is Surprisingly Difficult
Despite being related to Finnish, the Estonian language is one of the most difficult in Europe to learn. With 14 cases (forms that indicate the function of a noun in a sentence) and two genders, as well as a plethora of vowel sounds, it can be a challenge for foreigners to get their heads around.
9. Estonia Has the Most Internet Freedom in the World
Estonia is known for being the most technologically advanced country in Europe, and it comes as no surprise that it has also been ranked first for internet freedom for six years in a row. This is largely due to the ubiquitous availability of public Wi-Fi, which covers most of the country’s territory, but also because of its transparent internet laws that protect digital privacy.
10. You Can Learn How to Dance For Free
Every summer in Tallinn, there are free lessons given every day on the main street, called ‘Lasnamäe’ Prospekt, where local students teach anyone interested how to dance traditional Estonian dances. The events are organized by the Estonian Folk Assembly and include dances such as the “Kihnu Jive” and “Üks Viielik”—a country-dance only danced with your beloved. This way, don’t be surprised if you become a dancer months after relocating to Estonia as an expat.
