Asylum in Estonia
International protection for refugees
International protection offers legal protection to people who have been forced to leave their country of origin because of persecution or lack of security. The reception of applicants for international protection is governed by the Act on the Granting of International Protection to Aliens.
An applicant for international protection must be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board, who will review the application and decide whether to grant protection
If the person needs the accommodation centre services, they will be directed to the accommodation centre of the Social Security Board, where the necessary services will be provided until the end of the procedure.
There are three types of international protection residence permit:
Refugee status is granted to a person who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion in their country of origin country of origin (1951 Geneva Convention). The duration of the residence permit is three years.
Subsidiary protection. If a person does not qualify for refugee status but faces a genuine risk of serious harm in their country of origin, such as the death penalty, torture, or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment, they may be eligible for subsidiary protection. The residence permit granted under subsidiary protection typically lasts for one year.
Temporary protection. Temporary protection is an exceptional measure intended for a foreigner fleeing armed conflict or persistent violence, whose life or well-being is threatened by systemic or large-scale violations of human rights, preventing them from safely and permanently residing in their home country. The residence permit granted under temporary protection typically lasts for one year.
Read more about this on the website of the Social Insurance Board.
Submitting an asylum application
Before entering the country, you can submit an asylum application to a border guard at any border crossing point on the border of the Republic of Estonia. This possibility should be used if the foreigner does not have a valid visa, travel documents or Estonian residence permit.
If the foreigner is already in Estonia, they should apply for asylum at any Police and Border Guard Administration station. In Tallinn, the application must be submitted only to the station of the Northern Prefecture at Pärnu mnt 139.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians
Estonia offers temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens and their family members who lived in Ukraine until 24 February 2022 and then fled the war. Temporary protection grants a residence permit for one year.
Under temporary protection, Ukrainian citizens and their family members receive very similar rights to Estonian residents, such as access to social services and the right to work and receive education. It also includes the right to move freely within the European Union.
Applying for temporary protection is not obligatory. All Ukrainian citizens have the right to stay in Estonia without applying for temporary protection.
You do not need a biometric passport to apply for temporary protection – an internal passport is enough. To apply, book an appointment on the Police and Border Guard Board website.
An application for extension of the temporary protection residence permit can be submitted from three months to one month before the expiry date at the Police and Border Guard Board's self-service asylum.politsei.ee.
NOTE: We recommend booking your temporary protection extension application on the police website early, as vacancies may not become available quickly.
If your temporary protection residence permit has already expired, you can apply for an extension of temporary protection at the Police and Border Guard Board.
From 10th of September 2023, in order to extend temporary protection, you will need to take a new photo of yourself at a photo booth in the service hall of the Police and Border Guard Board.
The granting of temporary protection to a foreigner is governed by the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens.
International protection
A foreigner, including a Ukrainian citizen or resident, who fears persecution in their home country because of race, nationality, religion, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, can apply for international protection in Estonia.
It also applies for those, whose return to their country of origin could lead to serious risks, including the death penalty, torture or inhumane treatment, or who might be punished or subjected to violence as a result of armed conflict.
Refugees are granted a three-year residence permit, which is renewable every three years. A beneficiary of subsidiary protection is granted a residence permit for one year, renewable for two-year periods.
A person applying for international protection, for whom the status of an applicant is the only legal basis for them in Estonia, is not allowed to work in Estonia until a decision on their application has been taken within six months. If the applicant was lawfully present in Estonia before the application was submitted and they were able to work, the right to work shall continue during the period of application for protection.
An application for renewal of an international protection residence permit can be submitted four months before the expiry of its validity at the self-service of the Police and Border Guard Board at asylum.politsei.ee or at the service of the Police and Border Guard Board.
To renew your international protection at the service hall, you need to make an appointment.
International protection for foreigners is regulated by the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens.
You can apply for international protection by contacting:
Pärnu mnt 139, Tallinn
H. Tammsaare pst 61, Pärnu
Rahu tn 38, Jõhvi
Riia tee 132, Tartu
Identity documents
A residence permit card is an obligatory identity document for foreigners residing permanently in Estonia on the basis of a valid residence permit or right of residence. In addition to the usual proof of identity, the residence permit card can also be used for identification in an electronic environment and for digital signature. The residence card is not valid as a travel document. It is a passport of the country of nationality or an alien's passport issued in Estonia.
Non-citizens need an alien's passport, which is issued to a foreigner who has a valid Estonian residence permit and who can prove that they do not have a foreign travel document and cannot obtain one.
In addition to an alien's passport, foreigners can also prove their identity with a temporary travel document, a refugee’s travel document and a certificate of record of service on ships. Estonian embassies and honorary consulates will issue the foreigner with a return permit.
Registration of residence
Estonian Population Register
If you have been granted temporary or international protection and a residence permit in Estonia, you must register your place of residence in the Estonian Population Register. You can do this at the local municipality where you live or online at www.rahvastikuregister.ee.
Once you have registered your place of residence, you will be entitled to services and benefits for Estonian residents, such as social assistance, health care, free public transport or school and nursery places.
In order to register your residence, you must present a document proving the use of the room (e.g. a rental contract) or the consent of the owner of the room. If there is a tenancy agreement, this is sufficient and the owner's consent is not required.
If you are moving from one town, district or municipality to another, you will also need to update your details in the population register. This is so that the local authority can plan nursery and school places, pay subsistence benefits and housing rent allowances.
For more information on registering your place of residence and changing your details, see eesti.ee.
Legal counselling
Estonian Human Rights Centre
The Estonian Human Rights Centre offers no-cost legal aid to asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international protection, and stateless persons. It provides free counselling in asylum proceedings and detention procedures as well as representation before authorities, like courts or police, assistance in applying for state legal aid, and help with family reunification. They also provide legal counselling and advice to beneficiaries of international protection.
For help, email asylum@humanrights.ee or call (+372) 644 5148 or (+372) 5440 0550 to arrange a time for a consultation. Find out more about the Centre's services on their website.
HUGO.legal
HUGO.legal is a law office, which offers 2 hours of free legal aid for people living in Estonia. No-cost legal counselling is available to anyone with an average gross income of up to €1200 per month. For family matters, concerning children's rights, the income threshold is €2000. Find out more on their website.
Legal Services Office
Legal Services Office provide free legal aid to underprivileged people and people in special needs in Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere, Jõhvi, Paide, Viljandi, Pärnu and several other cities in Estonia.
Estonian Association of Pensioners’ Societies
Estonian Association of Pensioners’ Societies offers free legal assistance to elderly people twice a week in Tallinn, Keila, Põlva, Pärnu and Rakvere. Find out more here.
Estonian Union for Child Welfare
For free help with family law issues, contact the Estonian Union for Child Welfare.
Women's Support Centers
Victims of sexual violence can get free legal counselling at Women's Support Centres across Estonia.
Estonian Chamber of Disabled People
People with disabilities and their relatives can get free legal aid from the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People.
Estonian Lawyers Union
In Tallinn, law students provide free legal advice at the Tallinn City Chancellery service office (Vabaduse väljak 7, 1st floor). Consultation times can be found on the website of the Estonian Lawyers Union.
Every citizen of Tallinn can submit a question to a student trainee. To use the service, email your question to ejl@juristideliit.ee or call (+372) 631 3002 or (+372) 6314 466.
Consulting on labour law
The employment law consultant of the Tallinn City Government's entrepreneurship service provides advice on employment law issues by email. The consultations are free of charge.
The questions can concern all areas of labour law, such as employment contracts, vacation, pay, working and rest time, but also collective labour relations. You can also get advice on how to prepare the necessary documents.
Questions are answered by Elena Koffal at Jelena.Koffal@tallinnlv.ee and at (+372) 640 4219.
The Lawyer Aid
The legal help portal Jurist Aitab provides answers to everyday legal questions in Estonian and Russian. Your question will be answered within one working day.
Support person
The support person service for beneficiaries of international and temporary protection is intended for all persons granted asylum in Estonia and their families. Its aim is to support beneficiaries of international protection who need support and additional support to cope and adapt in their new living environment in Estonia.
The service is provided when a person needs support because of social, economic, psychological or health problems.
In Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere and Jõhvi the service is provided by the local government. In the other regions, the service is provided by MTÜ Eesti Pagulasabi (Estonian Refugee Aid), to which the person in need is referred via the Social Insurance Board..
To find out more about this program, visit the website of the Social Insurance Board.