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Residence permit after short-term employment: file before 1 January 2027

Section 176² of the Estonian Aliens Act allows a temporary residence permit for a foreigner who has worked for you for at least nine months under a short-term employment registration (LTR). The section is repealed from 1 January 2027. Applications filed before then are processed under the existing rules.

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What changes

„paragrahv 176² tunnistatakse kehtetuks;”

“§ 176² is repealed.”

RT I, 21.05.2026, 1, § 1(9); in force 1 January 2027 (§ 2(3))

„Kui tähtajalise elamisloa taotlus käesoleva seaduse § 176² alusel elamisloa saamiseks on esitatud enne 2027. aasta 1. jaanuari, vaadatakse taotlus läbi kuni 2026. aasta 31. detsembrini kehtinud korras.”

“If an application for a temporary residence permit under § 176² has been filed before 1 January 2027, it is reviewed under the rules in force until 31 December 2026.”

Aliens Act § 309¹⁹(4), added by RT I, 21.05.2026, 1, § 1(18)

Permits already granted under § 176² stay valid until they expire or are revoked (§ 309¹⁹(1)).

Current conditions (Aliens Act § 176²(1))

A residence permit for short-term employment may be granted for up to two years if:

  1. immediately before applying, the foreigner has worked in Estonia under a short-term employment registration for at least nine months;
  2. the employment continues with the same employer that registered the short-term employment;
  3. the employer is reliable (assessed under § 180);
  4. during the registered short-term employment the employer paid remuneration meeting the requirements of § 107.

What to review now as an employer

  • Count back nine months from your planned filing date: has the employee worked for you under a registered LTR for that whole period? The application must be filed before 1 January 2027.
  • Did the pay meet the salary criterion for the whole LTR period? Check payslips and the employment register (TÖR).
  • Will the employment continue with you after the application is filed?
  • Are the company's taxes and annual reports in order (reliability assessment)?
  • If someone will not reach nine months before 1 January 2027, consider the standard residence permit for employment — its conditions are different.

After 1 January 2027

The same act introduces a shortage-sector exception from 1 January 2027 (new wording of § 181(8)). The list of sectors and the annual cap on permits are set by a separate Government regulation. Check Riigi Teataja whether the list has been adopted and whether your sector is on it — we cannot promise that in advance.

How we help

We review the LTR period, pay and documents with you and prepare the application. The decision is made by the PPA.

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Sources

This page is general information and not legal advice. Check the current text in Riigi Teataja and on the PPA website. Last checked: 9 October 2026.