Ukrainian Citizens Have the Opportunity to Apply for Temporary Protection and Work in Estonia on That Basis

On March 9, an order of Estonian Government entered into force, which allows Ukrainian citizens and their family members who came to Estonia from Ukraine because of the war to apply for temporary protection in Estonia. Temporary protection is a one-year residence permit that allows war refugees to have similar rights as Estonian residents, including the right to work here and thus receive health insurance here.  

According to the government order, people who left Ukraine due to the military conflict on February 24, 2022 and arrived in Estonia can apply for temporary protection. Ukrainian citizens and their family members have the opportunity to receive temporary protection. According to the order, family members are considered to be a spouse, life partner, unmarried minor child and other close relatives who lived in the same household and had lived in Ukraine with the support of a Ukrainian citizen.  

Temporary protection does not extend to Ukrainian citizens and their family members who lived or stayed in Estonia before February 24, 2022. 

In order to receive temporary protection, a war refugee must submit an application to the Police and Border Guard Board.   

If a war refugee receives temporary protection in Estonia, he or she may work in Estonia under the same conditions as a permanent resident of Estonia. This means that the Employment Contracts Act must be complied with and the amount of salary must be at least equal to the minimum salary.  

More information on temporary protection can be found on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board HERE. 

The order of Estonian Government is available HERE.