Published: August 2026
2026 changes for employers — what to know before LTR or a residence permit
An overview of the 2026 Aliens Act changes: Business Register requirement, 6 months of economic activity, salary criteria and the LTR full-time rule.
Business Register requirement from 01.01.2026
The employer must be entered in the Estonian Business Register. A foreign entity without an Estonian registration can no longer act as the employer for LTR or a residence permit application.
6 consecutive months of economic activity
For a temporary residence permit for employment the company must show at least 6 consecutive months of real economic activity in Estonia. Evidence: customer contracts, annual report, VAT and tax returns, and employment register (TÖR) entries.
Salary criteria: 1.0× = EUR 2092 gross
From 05.03.2026 to March 2027 the general salary criterion is EUR 2092 gross per month. Multipliers: 0.8× = EUR 1674 (certain exceptions), 1.24× = EUR 2594, 1.5× = EUR 3138 (e.g. top specialists and quota-exempt grounds). The salary must be stated in the contract and actually paid.
LTR is usually full-time
Short-term employment registration is normally granted for full-time work. Part-time applications are often refused or require separate justification.
File via PPA self-service
Prefer filing in the PPA self-service (state fee EUR 130; EUR 140 otherwise). Processing usually takes 15 working days. After the decision, register the employee in the employment register (TÖR).
Does your company meet the 2026 requirements?
Official sources
- Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet — Tööandjale
- PPA — Lühiajalise töötamise registreerimine
- Töötukassa — Luba välismaalase töölevõtmiseks
This article is informational and not legal advice. Workpermitly is not a law firm.