Residence permits may be temporary (with a validity period of up to five years) or long-term.
A temporary residence permit may be issued to an alien if:
- they are married to a person who is a permanent resident of Estonia;
- it is for settling down with a close relative permanently residing in Estonia
- it is for working
- it is for studies at an Estonian educational institution
- it is for business
- permanent legal income ensures his/ her subsistence in Estonia
- the application for a residence permit is based on an international agreement.
- has stayed in Estonia permanently on the basis of temporary residence permit for at least five years
- holds valid residence permit
- has a registered residence in Estonia
- has permanent legal income for subsistence in Estonia
- is covered with health insurance
- complies with the integration requirement, i.e. has knowledge of the Estonian language at least at B1 level established by the language act or level corresponding to that.
An alien holding permanent residence permit shall automatically be deemed as an alien holding the long-term residence permit.
Pursuant to amendment of the Aliens Act all aliens who were issued permanent residence permit before 1 June 2006 shall automatically be deemed as having the long-term residence status.
If you hold permanent residence permit, more information is available here.
An alien, who holds long-term residence permit, does not require a work permit in order to work in Estonia.
Long-term residence permit shall not be issued to an alien who:
- has received temporary residence permit for study; for participation in seasonal work involving the processing of primary agricultural products, for employment as a pair or domestic help, for employment for vocational training purposes by way of field training or for employment as service personnel of a diplomatic representation of a foreign state by permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- has submitted false information or committed fraud upon application for long-term residence permit or may endanger public order or national security
- or does not comply with the conditions for the issue of long-term residence permit.
Buying or bringing a car into Estonia
Buying: So you've decided to get some wheels while in Estonia. Hope you've thought it through.
When you buy a car in Estonia, it should be with a purchase contract which is available from ARK if the owner hasn't got one (though a dealer should - if not, RUN!). It is however permissible to a write a contract out in freehand (believe it or not) though it must be in Estonian - obviously. Whether you have a copy of a contract or write it out, be sure the purchase contract has the car's registration - i.e. the green strip of paper - which is enough to get the car signed over to your name at ARK. When you go to sign it over at ARK, you wont need the previous owner with you. Same as Oz.
N.B.: If the seller is married, the purchase contract must have the signature of the spouse as well as the car is considered joint property..
If you're buying a car without a valid technical test, it cannot be signed over to you until it has passed the test, even though actual ownership goes over to you with the purchase contract. So buying fixer-uperers can be tricky. If you have a nostalgic and romantic idea about doing up a Narva, think it through.
After you buy the car, you can drive it while still being covered by the previous owner's insurance for about five days, however you'll want to sign over the insurance to your name as soon as possible. The e-kindlustus people at the ARK can also do that for you.
If you're a permanent resident of Estonia, you will already have an 'isikukood' assigned to you.
If you are not a permanent resident, you'll need to get what's called a 'vastutav kasutaja' (responsible user). That is, another person who is a permanent resident who can be attached to your car. The purpose of this is for your insurance premiums which are calculated based on the vastutav kasutaja driver's record - so make sure they are f a u l t l e s s!. It's much like putting another driver on your registration. Sounds dodgey but that's how they roll here.
Insurance can be bought online at e-kindlustus.ee - they're an insurance broker that will find the best deal for you.
There are two types:
Liikluskindlustus which is the mandatory third-party liability insurance,
Kaskokindlustus which is what pays for your own car if you crash it and it's your fault.
The latter is optional and usually only worth getting if you have a new and/or expensive cars (and you need to have it if you're buying the car with a bank car loan).
There are two types:
Liikluskindlustus which is the mandatory third-party liability insurance,
Kaskokindlustus which is what pays for your own car if you crash it and it's your fault.
The latter is optional and usually only worth getting if you have a new and/or expensive cars (and you need to have it if you're buying the car with a bank car loan).
If your a bit tight on the coin and the previous owner still had some time left on their liability insurance, you can have that prorated against your own insurance, but only within the same company (which might not be the cheapest you can get) and you get the money, not the time.
Estonian liability insurance entitles you to get a Green Card (European liability insurance) for free. You need a Green Card to drive across the border. The Green Card isn't included by default - you have to ask the insurance people for it. If you've bought the insurance online, you can either use the chat-to-a-representative function to have them mail you the Green Card, or go to your ARK office where there should be an e-kindlustus booth. Or go to your insurance company's office if that's closer.
You need to keep the insurance policy and the registration (green strip) in your car at all times. Cops may ask you for it when they stop you but most often they don't as they can see your vehicles details on their cop cars computer screen. So if your cars plates match up, if it has a valid technical test, if it's insured, and they can see who is registered to drive it, you wont have a problem.
You can have anybody drive the car in Estonia with just a freeform piece of paper saying "this person can drive my car". These slips can usually be found in your local gas station. Just ask the person behind the counter for them. In practice, as long as the car is not reported stolen, the cops are unlikely to care who's driving it. The liability insurance will cover the car, not the driver.
Importing:
Vehicle Import to Estonia Regulations
Vehicles subject to the registration
All vehicles imported to Estonia for use permanently or temporarily are subject to registration. This includes temporarily imported vehicles which can be registered until the deadline fixed by the Customs authorities, and also includes vehicles manufactured and used in Estonia.
Registration of imported vehicles
When crossing a customs border, the registered owner of the vehicle has to present the relevant documents for customs formalities. The vehicle should be presented to the ARK Bureau for a pre-registration inspection before customs clearance and registration can take place.
Pre-registration inspection
A pre-registration inspection of the vehicle takes place at the inspection station. At this location, vehicle documentation and adherence to the established standards of Estonia is verified, as well as the vehicle's compliance with the national technical requirements.
The following documents should be presented to the inspection officer at the ARK Bureau:
- document certifying the acquisition of the vehicle, in the absence of this any other document certifying the ownership on the vehicle
- registration certificate of the vehicle (in case of an used vehicle)
- Certificate of Conformity (COC-paper), in case of a new vehicle
- seller's invoice (in case of a new vehicle, which has not been entered in a register of any other country)
- valid traffic insurance policy
- document proving the identity of the keeper or other authorized person.
After inspecting the vehicle a pre-registration inspection form is then filled in by the official and issued to the owner. If the vehicle does not comply with the national technical requirements, the application is then forwarded to the technical department of ARK.
The owner or authorized individual of the vehicle is obliged to submit the pre-registration certificate and its photocopy to a local Customs office during the determined period of time in order to pass customs clearance and pay import duties and taxes.
You need to keep the insurance policy and the registration (green strip) in your car at all times. Cops may ask you for it when they stop you but most often they don't as they can see your vehicles details on their cop cars computer screen. So if your cars plates match up, if it has a valid technical test, if it's insured, and they can see who is registered to drive it, you wont have a problem.
You can have anybody drive the car in Estonia with just a freeform piece of paper saying "this person can drive my car". These slips can usually be found in your local gas station. Just ask the person behind the counter for them. In practice, as long as the car is not reported stolen, the cops are unlikely to care who's driving it. The liability insurance will cover the car, not the driver.
Importing:
Vehicle Import to Estonia Regulations
Vehicles subject to the registration
All vehicles imported to Estonia for use permanently or temporarily are subject to registration. This includes temporarily imported vehicles which can be registered until the deadline fixed by the Customs authorities, and also includes vehicles manufactured and used in Estonia.
Registration of imported vehicles
When crossing a customs border, the registered owner of the vehicle has to present the relevant documents for customs formalities. The vehicle should be presented to the ARK Bureau for a pre-registration inspection before customs clearance and registration can take place.
Pre-registration inspection
A pre-registration inspection of the vehicle takes place at the inspection station. At this location, vehicle documentation and adherence to the established standards of Estonia is verified, as well as the vehicle's compliance with the national technical requirements.
The following documents should be presented to the inspection officer at the ARK Bureau:
- document certifying the acquisition of the vehicle, in the absence of this any other document certifying the ownership on the vehicle
- registration certificate of the vehicle (in case of an used vehicle)
- Certificate of Conformity (COC-paper), in case of a new vehicle
- seller's invoice (in case of a new vehicle, which has not been entered in a register of any other country)
- valid traffic insurance policy
- document proving the identity of the keeper or other authorized person.
After inspecting the vehicle a pre-registration inspection form is then filled in by the official and issued to the owner. If the vehicle does not comply with the national technical requirements, the application is then forwarded to the technical department of ARK.
The owner or authorized individual of the vehicle is obliged to submit the pre-registration certificate and its photocopy to a local Customs office during the determined period of time in order to pass customs clearance and pay import duties and taxes.
Customs Regulations for Vehicle Imports Into Estonia
Customs
Your vehicle should be presented to the customs officer to obtain the Customs Certificate and the Customs Declaration for the registration of the vehicle in ARK Bureau.
Registration procedure
A vehicle obtained outside Estonia must be registered within 5 days of customs clearance.
After customs clearance, the owner or authorized individual of the vehicle will have to submit the following documents in the ARK Bureau in order to enter the vehicle into the ARK Register:
- application form (available in ARK Bureau) of the owner or other notarially authorized person
- document certifying the acquisition of the vehicle, in the absence of this any other document certifying the ownership on the vehicle
- registration certificate of the vehicle (in case of an used vehicle)
- Certificate of Conformity (COC-paper), in case of a new vehicle
- seller's invoice (in case of a new vehicle, which has not been entered in a register of any other country)
- valid traffic insurance policy
- document proving the identity of the holder or other authorized person
- an excerpt of Estonian Commercial Register (for legal person) and the relevant authorization
- a customs certificate and a customs declaration
- a pre-registration inspection certificate
- an operable lease agreement (in case of temporary importation)
- receipts of state fee payment for the registration procedures (app. 75 euro/1000.- EEK for entering into Register; app. 275 euro/3700.- EEK for temporary registration) and for number plates (app.45 euro/600.- EEK - reflective or colored plates).
Then the vehicle will be registered and the license plate and the registration certificate will be issued to the owner.
A vehicle can be registered under the name of only one person. If the vehicle is jointly owned it must be registered under the name of only one of the owners. This can be done either through an ARK application form, a notarized application form or an authorized letter of permission by one of the owners.
From Estonia
:( So you have decided you want to leave us. Well, we can't stop you. But you'll be back :)
Moving back to Oz or somewhere else on this wonderful planet is never going to be easy. But with our help, maybe we can make it seem a little easier - good luck!
There are obviously may options to consider:
- where you are moving to
- how much you have to take / leave
- how to pack what you are taking
- who to send you stuff with
- if you have cars (or other toys) to consider
These questions are a good start to getting you on the road with a plan in your hand.
Here's a few moving companies to help to get you started:
- KLG International Movers Ltd.
- Contact Person - Mr. Alar Lõhmus
- Address - 34 Peterburi Road, Tallinn, 11415
- Membership - FIDI, ICEFAT
- Phone - +372 6 818 801
- Fax - +372 6 818 819
- AVA-Express Ltd. - is a leading Estonian moving company providing international moving services since 1998.
- Contact Person - Mr. Rain Merisalu
- Address - 46 Peterburi Road, Tallinn, 11415
- Membership - FIDI, ICEFAT
- Phone - +3726139737
- Fax - +3726139729
With thanks to the following sites:
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