Are specialists needed in Estonia and how can one find a job?

The demand for specialists in Estonia

In recent years, the issue of the need for specialists in Estonia has become particularly important. In the autumn months of 2017, a record number of vacancies was registered here, reaching 12,000. This is a 26% increase compared to the data from 2016. The main job offers are concentrated in regions such as Harju County and the capital city, Tallinn, where there is a particularly acute shortage of workers in the industrial sector.

Necessary professions

As of today, there is a significant need for in Estonia.engineersandscientific workers. Minister René Tammiste proposed to exclude these specialties from the general immigration quota in order to attract more specialists from abroad. In the current situation, the authorities are focusing their attention on workers from outside the European Union. It is expected that about two thousand highly qualified specialists from other countries will find jobs in Estonia between 2017 and 2020.

Unemployment rate

According to the statistics presented for September 2018, the levelunemploymentin Estonia was 5.8%. Although this figure is higher than in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, it is still lower than its neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, as well as the EU average of 6.7%. The difficulty is that the country primarily needs highly qualified specialists with relevant education and work experience. People who do not have the necessary skills face difficulties in the labor market. Of course, much depends on the region of residence and personal expectations of job seekers.

Branches of the economy

In the northeast of the country, there are many industrial facilities, especially in cities like Tallinn, Narva, Kunda, Kohtla-Järve, and Maardu. The southern part of Estonia focuses onagricultural sectorAlthough it makes up a small share of the overall economy (about 3-4%), the western part of the country is actively developing the tourism industry, as well as livestock farming and fishing. As for the service sector, it is evenly distributed across regions: about 73% of economic revenues come from this sector, which creates a high demand for professionals in various fields.

Visa for digital nomads

A notable piece of news was the introduction ofvisas for digital nomadsThis allows those who are not tied to a specific location, such as freelancers, to work in Estonia. In addition, the government plans to create more comfortable conditions for foreign workers: they will be able to work for multiple companies at once and will not be required to go through the residence permit process again when changing employers.

Electronic government

When it comes to job searching, Estonia can confidently be calledelectronic government. Almost all processes here are organized online: from searching for housing and services to interacting with government agencies and paying taxes. Approximately 90% of government services are available online. Popular resources include:

• State registerwhich allows you to register a business in Estonia in just 20 minutes and make online payments for most tax obligations.
• Haigekassa— this is a portal where you can find all the necessary information about public health insurance, which significantly simplifies life for both citizens and residents of the country.

Obtaining medical supplies

When a doctor issues a prescription for medication, it becomes available at pharmacies throughout the city, and you just need to visit the nearest pharmacy to purchase the necessary medicine.

One of the most useful services for parents is ekool, which helps monitor their children's educational process and facilitates online communication with teachers.

Job search in Estonia

For those looking for jobs in Estonia, there are several key sites.

• Work in Estonia— this is an official resource where you can find not only current job openings but also learn a lot about employment, culture, and the social structure of the country.
• cv-onlineposts job vacancies in government institutions, as well as offers from Estonian employers and companies from other Baltic and Scandinavian countries.
• Cv Keskusis the most visited job search website in Estonia. Here you can find a multitude of job vacancies from private companies, including offers from organizations in other European Union countries.
• EURES— this is a network managed by the employment service that provides access to job vacancies and information about European job fairs.

Recommendations for job seekers

If you are planning to look for a job in Estonia, keep a few recommendations in mind:

• Most job vacancies on Estonian websites are published in Estonian, even if you have selected Russian in the site settings.
• Be prepared that when responding to interesting job offers, you will most likely have to write in Estonian, except for Russian-speaking employers and international companies.
• Make sure to take the time to carefully fill out your resume on the mentioned resources — it will only take about 30-40 minutes.
• Contact the employer directly: write a letter to the HR department or call the office. This would be a sensible step if you are proficient in the Estonian language.
• To find contact information, you can check out a registry of local organizations such as inforegister or 1182.

Additional sources of information

Don't overlook job postings in popular media, such as Eesti Ekspress or Eesti Päevaleht. Creating and filling out a profile on LinkedIn can also be helpful—make sure to include all details about your professional activities and experience.

If possible, try to get recommendations and mention that you are looking for a job, indicating Estonia as your current region.

Russian-speaking platforms and working abroad

For Russian-speaking job seekers, there are also several platforms focused on employment in Estonia:

• On such platforms, job postings are usually published mainly by agencies, and most of the offers are related to manual labor.
• Nevertheless, it's worth periodically checking such resources, as they may have good job openings from Russian-speaking employers.

If you are interested in working outside of Estonia, it is recommended to pay attention to websites like Eurabota, Flagma, and Joblevk.

• These websites often post job listings in countries like Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Lithuania.
• It is also useful to research Facebook communities that are dedicated to finding jobs in Estonia, such as euro-rabota.

These resources can offer numerous opportunities for starting a career abroad and assist you in finding a suitable job vacancy.

Internships in Estonia

Internships in Estonia are one of the most effective ways to get to know the country, as well as to familiarize oneself with its labor market and identify potential employers. The main areas where one can undertake an internship include sectors such as tourism, banking, and information technology.

Where to look for internships

It's worth using resources such as:

• AIESEC— an international organization that deals with student exchange programs around the world.
• Technopolis- A platform focused on finding internships in technology and business.

If you have an idea for a promising project, it would be wise to apply to a startup incubator where your concept could attract attention and receive financial support.

The growth of startups in Estonia

It is interesting to note that over the past three years, Estonia has seen a rapid increase in the number of startups. This has led to the emergence of specialized courses on startup creation in the country's educational institutions.

Requirements for foreigners

Speaking about the requirements for foreign workers, it is important to emphasize that Estonian language skills are a key factor for successful employment. Despite the fact that many Estonians speak Russian, and about 20-25% actively use it in everyday life, knowledge of Estonian is necessary for most vacancies.

Exceptions

Exceptions are made for international companies in the fields of information technology and logistics, where the use of English may be sufficient, as many clients and specialists communicate in this language. It is also worth mentioning:

• Unskilled labor, such as the work of cleaners, loaders, and operators on production lines, sometimes does not require knowledge of the Estonian language.
• In the construction field, knowledge may be required depending on the employer's conditions.
• For positions such as waiter or salesperson, language skills will be a must.

Work for Russian speakers

It is extremely important to note that even if a person has a diploma and decent experience in service, a lack of language skills can lead to employment in low-paying positions, such as a cleaner. However, there are companies actively seeking specialists who speak Russian, especially in areas where Russian-speaking clients make up the main audience. Such job openings can be found, in particular, in Tallinn and Ida-Viru County.

Unemployment statistics

According to unemployment statistics at the end of September 2017, about 31% of unemployed people in Estonia were unable to find work due to a lack of knowledge of the Estonian language. In this context, the Unemployment Insurance Fund can be a useful platform, as it can assist in job searches taking into account your skills, abilities, and language knowledge.

Adaptation program for immigrants

It is also worth noting that Estonia has specialized adaptation programs for new immigrants, which provide the opportunity to learn the local language for free at various levels — from A1 to B2. Registration for courses takes place twice a year on the integration website. If you already have some basic knowledge, you can sign up for classes at a language café to enrich your language experience.

Diploma confirmation

In addition, immigrants may need to have their diploma, obtained outside of Estonia, verified before they can get a job. This step can be crucial for securing the desired position in the country.

Information about professions and requirements

The official information portal of Estonia provides comprehensive information on important issues. There, you can find out whether your profession is included in the list of specialties for which the government has established specific education and professional experience requirements. It is recommended to take the time to explore this resource, as it contains answers to many relevant questions regarding employment, available educational opportunities, medical services, and many other aspects of life in the country.

Opportunities for immigrants

It will also be useful to learn about the possibilities of obtaining a residence permit in Estonia through business investments.

Advantages of a Category D Visa

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the advantages offered by this type of visa. During the application process, you will obtain a national long-term visa of category D. To do this, you need to visit the consulate located in your country or nearby.

When applying, you will need documents such as an employment contract or a letter from your employer confirming its existence, as well as a certificate from the employment service. Additionally, the following papers are required:

• Foreign passportwhich must remain valid for at least three months after the visa expires;
• Color photo3.5x4.5 centimeters;
• Visa application form, filled out and signed by the visa applicant;
• Medical insurancewith a minimum coverage amounting to no less than 30,000 euros;
• Written explanationindicating the purpose of stay in Estonia;
• Proof of fundsa bank account to cover personal needs at the beginning of the stay (with the employer possibly acting as a guarantor);
• Receiptabout the payment of the visa fee.

The processing time for all submitted documents is approximately two months. The available visa can be valid for up to 12 months and can be extended. Foreigners who have been in Estonia for five years are entitled to apply for permanent residence.

Short-term visa category C

To obtain a visa for seasonal work, which allows for a stay of up to three months, it is sufficient to apply for a short-term visa of category C. In this case, there is no need to provide a certificate from the employment service or to obtain a residence permit.

The following groups of citizens can rest assured about visa procedures:

• Citizens and residents of European Union countries;
• Athletes;
• Representatives of creative professions;
• Scientists;
• Highly qualified specialists in high demand in the Estonian labor market.

Employers' responsibility

Employers who violate labor laws may face serious consequences. Hiring illegal workers can result in a fine of 1500 euros for the employer.

If the violation occurs more than twice within a year, the employer may face a prison sentence of up to three years. For foreigners without a residence permit, the fine will range from 600 to 1700 euros.

In addition, illegal workers can be deported and blacklisted for up to 10 years.

Current trends in the labor market

In recent years, the Estonian labor market has seen an increased interest in certain professions. The most in demand are IT specialists, medical workers, construction workers, as well as highly specialized personnel such as bricklayers and roofers.

The overall state of the labor market in Estonia

In Estonia, there is a growing interest in employment across various fields, including technical professions such as engineering, chemical industry, and metallurgy, as well as areas requiring skills in driving, teaching, and management in the fields of administration, business, and tourism. There is also a demand for specialists without professional training, such as production line operators, loaders, housekeepers, nannies, waiters, and cashiers. Additionally, there is a need for qualified workers, including seamstresses, hairdressers, and manicure specialists.

The highest density of job vacancies is concentrated in the capital of the country, Tallinn, where there is a particularly growing demand for IT specialists. Employers often look for employees who are proficient in Estonian, as well as English and Russian, especially in the tourism sector.

Seasonal job openings

As the summer and fall seasons approach, harvest-related vacancies open up, presenting a good opportunity to assess further employment prospects in Estonia.

Welfare and income level

As of January 2018, the minimum wage in Estonia is 500 euros per month. The average salary, according to the data, reaches 1,291 euros before taxes (after taxes, it is about 1,000 euros).

The forecasts from the Institute of Economic Research suggest that by the end of the year, the average value will rise to 1300 euros. This growth is quite realistic, considering that in 2005 the average salary was at 516 euros, which represents an impressive increase of 250% over the subsequent period.

Geographical distribution of wages

The highest salaries are recorded in Tallinn and Harju County, where the average is around 1500 euros, while on Hiiumaa Island, the average income is significantly lower at about 927 euros. In Ida-Viru County, the average salary is 1028 euros, and in Tartu County, it is 1272 euros.

Average salaries by profession

In the first quarter of 2018, the average salaries for different professions (before tax deductions) are as follows:

• programmer — 2000 euros
• Doctor - from 1700 euros
• Engineer - 1300 euros
• automotive mechanic — 1250 euros
• engineer — 1230 euros
• welder — 1200 euros
• teacher - from 1000 euros
• Chef - 800-1000 euros
• electrician — 1000 euros
• truck driver — 1600 euros
• nurse — 900 euros
• Loader - 800-900 euros
• guide - 630-700 euros
• seller - 700 euros
• seamstress — 700 euros
• maid — 500 euros
• nanny — from 500 euros

Hourly rates for seasonal workers

The hourly wage for seasonal workers, production line operators, builders, and other employees with minimal experience starts at the country's minimum wage of 3 euros. The average salary is around 7-8 euros per hour.

It should be noted that these are average figures for the entire country, and in Tallinn, salaries can significantly exceed the average. For example, according to data from CV Keskus, the average income for a programmer in the capital reaches 4000-5000 euros, technical specialists, including managers and engineers, earn around 2300 euros, while those working in the service sector make an average of about 1000 euros.

Tax deductions

As for the share of tax contributions, the income tax is 20%, contributions to the pension fund are 2%, and the unemployment insurance fund is 1.6%. If the monthly salary is less than 1200 euros, the non-taxable minimum of 500 euros is not subject to taxation. For income between 1200 and 2100 euros, the non-taxable minimum decreases and is determined by a special formula.

Conclusion

In summary, it can be confidently affirmed that Estonia offers a range of attractive opportunities for skilled professionals looking to build a career in this dynamically developing country. The increase in job vacancies and the demand for highly qualified workers indicate that the government is taking steps to attract specialists from all over the world. We are seeing significant attention to various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, and services, which are actively seeking new talent.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that successful employment requires not only experience and qualifications but also knowledge of the local language. Although there are many resources for job searching, a significant portion of job listings is available only in Estonian, which can pose a challenge for newcomers. However, considering the high standards of living and the variety of opportunities, these efforts can prove to be quite worthwhile.

Job prospects in Estonia

Estonia is truly opening its doors to those who are ready to take on challenges and build a successful career in an innovative and high-tech society. If you are among those who find themselves in fields that the country needs, don't miss the chance to be part of this exciting process.

• Increase in the number of job vacancies:Estonia is showing an increase in employment opportunities.
• The demand for highly qualified specialists:The government is actively seeking specialists from outside the country.
• Knowledge of the language:It is important to be proficient in the Estonian language for successful employment.
• Standards of living:High standard of living and career growth opportunities.

Fully utilizing the internet and other available resources can be your first step towards a new life in Estonia. Working in this country is not only an opportunity for stable income but also a chance to gain unique experience and integrate into one of the most progressive societies in Europe. So, if you are ready for changes and new challenges, Estonia could be your ideal destination.