Why does Estonia draw individuals from all over the world, besides its availability of visas and residency options?
Business-friendly environment
To take advantage of Estonia’s business-friendly atmosphere, entrepreneurs swarm there. People with an innovative streak and an entrepreneurial spirit have prospects in the economy.
The Estonian government worked hard to promote a center for technological startups. Fortunately, their strategy worked, and Forbes dubbed Estonia “the most digitally evolved society in the world.” As a result, the economic climate blossomed and is still expanding.
The populace is technologically literate, and innovation and fresh thinking are appreciated. For every phase of the startup lifecycle, there are founders, investors, and incubators. The experience and resources you’ll need to create the next great thing could be found by residing and working in Estonia!
The digitized state
The Estonian government has adopted laws that bring technology into daily life during the past few decades. They have been successful in establishing a digital state and developing online communities that have a definite emphasis on effectiveness, security, and transparency. The world’s most cutting-edge digital society is the result of this effort.
Breathe in, breathe Out
With 1,300 million citizens, Estonia has the least population in all of Europe. Low population density results in more healthy woodlands and less urban infrastructure. Estonia’s air is actually among the cleanest on the planet because forests cover about 50% of the country’s area.
Living in Estonia: fast facts
Name: Republic of Estonia (Eesti Vabariik)
Location: Northern Europe
Area: 45,227 km² (17,462 sq. mi.)
Government type: Parliamentary Democracy
Capital: Tallinn
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Estonian (Eesti keel)
Religion: Lutheran and Estonian are the most common
Time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2h
What’s in the language
Even though people in Estonia also speak Russian, Finnish, Ukrainian, and Swedish, Estonian is the country’s official language. Estonian is the fifth-most difficult language in the world for English speakers to learn. But don’t fear, a lot of Estonians can communicate in English. Nevertheless, learning a few words and phrases in Estonian, including Tere (Hello), Aitäh (Thank you), and Nägemist, won’t hurt (Bye).
Learn Estonian through a variety of methods. Foreigners can take language classes and attend summer schools in Estonia. Test your pronouncing abilities in the game “Estonian Tryouts” and ride this linguistic whirlwind! To start preparing before you go, there are also online classes.
Cost of living in Estonia: Is It Expensive
Estonia is a developed nation with high earnings and living standards. Because of its high standard of life, Estonia has a slightly higher cost of living than its neighbors in the Baltic. Even so, it is still affordable when compared, for instance, to close neighbors Finland and Sweden.
However, the cost of living is low in comparison to the US. A decent budget might range from 50% of an equal lifestyle in the USA to 100%, depending on where and how you live.
The price of utilities might vary greatly. In general, winter costs are higher since you need to heat your house. The type of heating you use — gas, electric, or wood — will also affect your spending.
Flying from Estonia
A great international airport serves Tallinn, providing quick access to surrounding cities including Helsinki, the Baltic States, and the rest of Europe. It is inexpensive and simple to spend a long weekend anywhere in Europe thanks to low-cost airlines that operate on regular routes. Select from Lisbon, Sardinia, London, Oslo, and locations all along the way. For links to the USA, Asia, and the rest of the world, there are also good connections to significant airline hubs.
Estonian public transport
Estonia has a robust bus system that connects the majority of its cities and towns as well as international destinations like Berlin and Warsaw. There is a vast train network as well. From the Balti Jaam train station, you may take a train to other locations throughout the nation, including Tartu and Narva. You can also hire a taxi from a rank rather than flagging one down on the street to get around.
Can I drive in Estonia with my US driver’s license
If you have a current U.S. driver’s license and an international driving permit, you are allowed to drive in Estonia for up to a year. Consult the AAA or AATA to see if you qualify for an international driving permit.
Am I Safe in Estonia
According to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s 2020 Global Peace Index (GPI), Estonia is ranked thirty-first (IEP). Since the last ranking announcement, the nation has moved up three spots.