🧳 6,500 Third-Country Nationals Came to Work in Estonia in 2025
Around 6,500 foreign nationals from outside the EU have arrived in Estonia for work this year, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Most came from Ukraine, followed by Moldova and Uzbekistan.
So far, 901 residence permits have been issued under the government’s 2025 migration quota (1,298 in total), with another 99 applications pending. The quota excludes EU citizens, their family members, and citizens of the U.S., U.K., and Japan, as well as asylum seekers, students, and high-skilled professionals.
In total, authorities have issued ~2,000 residence permits and ~4,500 short-term work permits. The largest groups work in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Among Uzbek nationals, 37% are employed in construction, 22% in manufacturing, and 21% in logistics.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citizens of Russia and Belarus are no longer granted work permits. As a result, Moldova and Uzbekistan have moved up the rankings.
Context:
Estonia’s labor market loses about 6,000 workers annually due to demographic decline, prompting employers to rely on foreign labor, particularly in farming, construction, and hospitality. Employer associations warn that without a more flexible migration framework, key sectors could face structural shortages.
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