Estonia Spouse of a resident

Temporary residence permit for the foreign spouse of a foreign national who lives in Estonia on a residence permit, valid up to 5 years and not longer than the spouse's own permit. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least EUR 440 a month (≈ $490) · Income of at least double the subsistence level (EUR 220 (≈ $250) per month in 2026). ^{2 6}
• A fee of EUR 225 (≈ $250) · State fee for a temporary residence permit applied for in Estonia; EUR 255 (≈ $280) at a foreign mission. ⁵

Requirements

• Applicant is a foreign national who does not already hold an Estonian residence permit on other grounds. ²
• The spouse who invites the applicant resides in Estonia on a residence permit, or is applying for a business residence permit. ²
• Settling with a spouse who holds an employment or study permit is possible only in exceptional cases. ²
• Applicant has income of at least double the subsistence level, confirmed by signing the application. ^{2 6}
• The state fee is EUR 225 (≈ $250) in Estonia or EUR 255 (≈ $280) at an Estonian foreign mission. ⁵
• Application, biographical data form, identity document and a digital photo. ³
• Documents certifying legal income over the previous six months, and a criminal record certificate from each country of residence in the last three years. ³
• Invitation form signed by the spouse in Estonia, and a marriage certificate if the marriage was concluded abroad. ³
• Proof of payment of the state fee. ³
• Apply at an Estonian foreign mission or, if already in Estonia, at a Police and Border Guard Board service office; fingerprints are given in person. ³
• The decision takes up to 90 days from acceptance and the permit card follows within 30 days of a positive decision. ⁴
• The spouse registers the place of residence in the Population Register after receiving the permit. ²

Stay

• Issued for up to 5 years but not longer than the inviting spouse's permit; extendable for up to 10 years at a time within the spouse's permit validity.
• First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Family

Spouse, unmarried minor children and adult children unable to cope independently (health or disability) can apply for family-member residence permits, valid up to 5 years and not beyond the holder's permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

Official sources

1. Residence permit for a family member · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-10
2. Residence permit for a family member: for a spouse · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
3. Applying for a residence permit · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
4. Processing a residence permit application · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
5. State fee amounts: residence permit and rights of residence · Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
6. Subsistence benefit and subsistence level (toimetulekupiir) · Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia · checked 2026-10-11
7. Residence permit for a family member: for an adult child · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11
8. Temporary residence permit for permanent residence · Police and Border Guard Board · checked 2026-10-11