How to become a digital nomad in Estonia
A Baltic state in Northern Europe bordering Latvia and Russia, Estonia may not be on the top of a tourist's travel list. But it's a different story when it comes to digital nomads. Estonia is the first country in the world offering e-Residency to the travelling freelance community. The country has turned its hospitality towards digital nomads into a practical legal and business framework allowing digital nomads to set up and run their companies and banking digitally.
Why Estonia?
Estonia is a country with one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in the world. And as a member state of the EU, it offers digital nomads easy travel, stable internet access, and friendly coworking spaces.
Having been aptly nicknamed 'E-stonia', the country is at the forefront of everything digital ' some of the world's most famous web companies such as Skype, TransferWise, and Hotmail were born right here. The thriving IT startup community is one of Estonia's strong points.
However, it's the Estonian E-Residency that makes the country stand out as a prime nomad destination. In Estonia, you can receive a government-issued digital ID which allows you to set up and run an international business using the country as your hub.
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Best cities to work from
Tallinn is Estonia's capital and its economic and cultural centre. It's a modest city ' yet one that harbours picturesque sights. Medieval churches, beautiful winding streets, delightful European cuisine, and modern development blend together to create an environment that is well-suited for a traveller, and especially a working one.
If you are searching for sunny weather, coastal views and a touch of beach life, the seaside town of Pärnu offers just that. The city is relatively popular with tourists thanks to the abundance of green parks and pampering spas. If you manage to resist the urge of spending all your time on the beach enjoying the weather and are fine with working from a coffee shop (there are currently no shared office spaces in the city), Pärnu will be a suitable place to settle in.
The internet and coworking spaces
Estonia's average web speed is clicked at 11.1 Mbps, which is on the slower side in Europe, but internet access is widespread, and you are sure to find a stable Wi-Fi offering in any café or coffee shop.
There is a good choice of coworking spaces, small and big, and finding a place to work from won't ever be an issue in the country's capital Tallinn. In smaller towns, though, you may have to settle for working at a coffee shop or home.
Coworking spaces in Tallinn
LIFT99, Telliskivi 60a, B-building
Spring Hub, Pärnu maantee 148
Telliskivi Creative City, Telliskivi 60a
Leisure in Estonia
Estonia is not a big country, but that doesn't mean there is a lack of things to see. The country is home to beautiful parks, which are a good place to relax after work. Lahemaa National Park, just 70km from Tallinn, is a picturesque space of waterfalls and forests while the Baroque castle of Toompea is an impressive architectural site of the 19th century.
What to know before arriving
As a member state of the Schengen Zone, Estonia is relatively easy to visit and work from. If you are a resident of a country that is also a member state of the Schengen Zone, you can travel with your National Identity Card. Alternatively, you can apply for a Schengen Visa prior to your travels and enjoy access to other countries in the region.
We remind you that as a remote worker in Estonia you are also eligible for e-Residency, which will make working, living, and running your online business from the country even easier.
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