Estonian citizenship is a legal covenant between the Estonian citizen and the Estonian state that entails rights and obligations for both parties. No one may be deprived of citizenship by birth. An Estonian citizen may not simultaneously hold the citizenship of any other country. Estonian citizenship is lost by accepting the citizenship of another country. A child may hold more than one citizenship if his or her parents have different citizenships. But upon reaching 18 years of age, a child must within three years give up either his or her Estonian citizenship or that of the other country.
Estonian citizenship:
- is acquired by birth if at least one parent has Estonian citizenship
- is obtained through naturalization
- is reinstated in the case of persons who lost Estonian citizenship as minors
- is lost by way of release of Estonian citizenship, depriving one of citizenship or by accepting the citizenship of another country.
How to apply
Estonian citizenship can be applied, if:
- you have a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence
- you have lived in Estonia, prior submitting an application, for at least eight years on the ground of a residence permit or by right of residence, of which at least the last five years on a permanent basis
- you have passed the Estonian language proficiency examination (this exam is not required, if you have acquired the basic, secondary or higher education in the Estonian language)
- you have passed the examination of knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act
- you have a permanent legal income
- your place of residence has been registered in the population register of Estonia
- you are loyal to the Estonian state.
Estonian citizenship for a minor younger than 15 years of age can be applied by:
- parents who have acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child
- one parent who has acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child with the consent of the parent who is not an Estonian citizen (the consent can be provided in the Service Office)
- single parent who has acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child and is bringing up the child alone
- the minor’s guardian who is an Estonian citizen
- parents (or one parent with the consent of the other parent, or a parent who is bringing up the child alone), if they are applying for the Estonian citizenship simultaneously.
Estonian citizenship can be applied for a person under guardianship by the guardian:
- who is at least 15 years of age
- who has a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence
- who has lived in Estonia, prior submitting an application, for at least eight years on the ground of a residence permit or by right of residence, of which at least the last five years on a permanent basis
- whose place of residence has been registered in the population register of Estonia.
More detailed information on applying for Estonian citizenship can you find on the website of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
About exams
The exam on knowledge of the Constitution and Citizenship Act of the Republic of Estonia checks the knowledge of the Constitution of Estonia, fundamental rights, freedoms and obligations of the citizen and is intended for those who wish to apply for citizenship of the Republic of Estonia.
The citizenship exam is electronic and can only be taken on a computer at the examination point. The exam can be conducted in the examination centers located in different cities of Estonia (Tallinn, Jõhvi, Narva, Tartu).
More detailed information about the Citizenship Examinations can you find on the website of Education and Youth Board (former Innove).
Estonian language proficiency examinations are used to test the knowledge of Estonian as the official language. Proficiency examinations are intended for those who wish to apply for citizenship of the Republic of Estonia and/or in whose position it is required to prove the level of proficiency in the Estonian language.
Professional language skills are measured and national exams are organized in Estonia on four levels: Estonian language level A2, B1, B2, and C1. The language proficiency requirement is determined on the basis of the type of civil servant, the basic category of offices, the requirements for the certification of the basic category of offices, the language proficiency requirements stated in professional standards, and the nature of the employee’s work.
More detailed information about the Estonian Language Proficiency Examinations can you find on the website of Education and Youth Board.
Related articles
References
- Application for Estonian citizenship
- Consultation of migration-related issues
- Migration advisors of Police and Border Guard Board
Services
- Changing my data in Population Register
- Registering for Estonian language proficiency examination
- Registering for the citizenship exams
- Viewing the data of Estonian language proficiency examination
- Viewing the data of the citizenship exams