Third-Country Family Reunification

minor children;

adult children if the child is unable to cope independently due to health reasons or disability;

the parent or grandparent in need of care which he or she cannot receive in the country of his or her location or in another country and if the permanent legal income of his or her child or grandchild who legally stays on Estonia ensures the subsistence of him or her in Estonia and if the family member living in Estonia has a long-term residence permit;

to a ward in order to settle with the guardian who resides in Estonia

A temporary residence permit may be issued to a foreign national to settle with the foreign national’s spouse or registered partner

You are either an Estonian citizen or a foreign national residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit

) In case of applying for a temporary residence permit to settle with the spouse or registered partner who is a foreign national, who has been granted a temporary residence permit for studies, the spouse or registered partner must have lived in Estonia based on a residence permit for at least two years.

) Subsection 2 1 of this section does not apply to a foreign national whose spouse or registered partner, who is a foreign national, has been granted a temporary residence permit for Doctoral studies.

) A temporary residence permit to settle with the spouse or registered partner is not granted in case the spouse or registered partner, who is a foreign national, has been granted a temporary residence permit on the basis of § 176 2 of this Act. [RT I, 06.07.2023, 6 - entry into force 01.01.2024; due to the military conflict in Ukraine, the subsection does not apply to citizens of Ukraine as of 24 February 2022]

§ 176 2 . Temporary residence permit for short-term employment

A residence permit may be issued to settle with the spouse or registered partner in case the spouses or registered partners share close economic ties and psychological dependence, the family is stable, and the marriage is not fictitious.

A document which certifies that an applicant and the person inviting him or her are married, if they were married in a foreign state , not in Estonia;

child's birth certificate, if the birth was registered abroad, not in Estonia;

Additionally, the signed consent which is certified notarially or officially at a foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia, of a parent, who is not moving to Estonia or is permanently residing in a foreign country, for his or her minor child settling in Estonia

a document certifying the establishment of guardianship.

the foreign national’s spouse or registered partner is required to have permanent legal income that ensures the subsistence of the family in Estonia, or the joint permanent legal income of the spouses or registered partners must ensure the subsistence of the family in Estonia.

Family members must prove accommodation in Estonia (subject to some exceptions).

Family members must have health insurance contract covering any costs related to medical treatment occurring during the validity of the residence permit.

Family members can apply for a residence permit at the Estonian embassy or consulate in their country of origin or residence. A third-country national may apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard Board service s in Estonia in case he or she has a legal ground for staying in Estonia (e.g. visa).

A residence permit to settle with a family member is issued for up to 5 years, but not longer than the validity of the residence permit of the inviting party.

A residence permit to settle with a family member may be extended for up to 10 years at a time, but not longer than the validity of the residence permit of the inviting party.

A non-EU citizen who has a residence permit to settle with spouse or a close relative residing in Estonia is permitted to work without any restrictions.

After five years of continuous residence on the basis of a residence permit, you may apply for a long-term residence permit at the