As far as European capital cities go, Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, isn't that popular. It's not as fashionable as Paris, as cinematic as Rome, as busy as London, or even as opulent as Madrid. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that this city is exceptionally beautiful, filled with such fascinating history and heritage, and is becoming more and more important in the business world as it is a digital hub in many ways. So it's also not surprising that the number of people relocating here is increasing. if you're one of them, let this guide help you out!
Overview
As of this writing, Tallinn only has a population of 449,000 residents. It has the smallest number of residents among most of the capital cities in Europe and the rest of the world. Especially since the country's entire population is only 1.325 million, even less than most populations in major cities across the globe. As it is located in the northernmost part of the Baltic area in Europe, Estonia sees all four seasons, including some of the harshest winters in recent years. And if you're wondering, yes, the dominant language here is still Estonian. You'd do well in learning it in any of the
fine language schools here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visa
You probably already know that you need a
Schengen Visa in order to gain entry to Estonia and the rest of the EU. Especially if you're coming from a non-EU country. There's also the option of getting into the country via the
ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. If you're eligible, you can travel to Estonia even when you don't have a Schengen Visa. But to stay here for more than 90 days (approximately three months), you'll need to apply for a residence permit. This will allow you to stay for at least a year and from there, you can start the legal process of actually moving here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around
Although Estonia isn't exactly as big of a metropolis as the popular capital cities, it's still large enough for people to rely on
public transport. What's really interesting is, since Estonia is one of the most digitally-adept countries in the world, paying for your tickets, fees, and the like online, as well as using
transportation apps, is more commonplace than you think. As for which mode of public transportation to take, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. The buses are affordable, the trams are just as efficient, and there's always the train for those staying in the Greater Tallinn Area Harju County.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live
Now, the first thing you've probably checked off your list of what to do when relocating to Tallinn is to choose which
neighborhood in the city you're going to live in. Of course, this will depend on various factors, the most important of which should be your type of lifestyle. For instance, if you're more into living in the thick of it all and you're a major history buff to boot, living in the Old Town district won't be half bad. On the other hand, if you prefer to live by the sea and enjoy salty breezes every morning, settle down in Pirita instead.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Real Estate
Another important factor to note is how much it will cost you to live in Tallinn. Choosing where you want to stay here based on how you want to live is all well and good, but if you can't afford the rent, then what's the point? Fortunately, the
living costs in Tallinn aren't that high. In fact, this place is probably one of the very few European capitals where you can get a place that costs less than €100.00 a month. Specifically, a one-bedroom commonly rents out for €400.00 to €700.00 a month. While a three-bedroom will cost a monthly rental fee of around €700.00 to €1,400.00. Not bad at all!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment
As already mentioned, since Estonia is practically the digital hub of Europe—and some might argue, of the rest of the world too!—it's safe to say that
its job market isn't doing that bad! Currently, it has an unemployment rate of just 6.8%, one of the smallest in Europe alone. And considering that the recent Covid-19 global pandemic hit the country as well, for the rate to remain this small is actually a feat itself. As far as the sectors in Estonia are concerned, Information Technology (IT), the food industry, and healthcare are all the biggest and probably have the most opportunities for new employment in the country.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education
Tallinn may be far from London when it comes to
top universities and schools but that doesn't mean it's lacking fine institutions of its own. On the contrary, the Estonian capital has its fair share of
prominent international schools where your little one can continue his/her studies when you've relocated here. There's the
International School of Tallinn, which offers an International Baccalaureate curriculum, and the
Tallinn European School, which offers a European Baccalaureate program instead. It's clear to see that the quality of education here, even for foreign students, remains as high as ever.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare
What about healthcare? Can you ensure that no matter what happens to you or what your health problems may be, you'll get proper care and treatment here in Tallinn? The answer is yes, of course! The Estonian capital also doesn't lack in
well-respected hospitals, each offers quality care & excellent service. And since
the country's healthcare operates on a universal system, as long as you've become a legal resident here, you can gain access to public health coverage or choose to go with your own private plan instead. In a nutshell, as long as you're covered, you've got nothing to worry about!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety
Okay, now let's talk about safety! Will you stay safe in Tallinn no matter what you go or where you go? Compared to many other cities, you have a better chance in the Estonian capital! All you have to do is to see
the city's crime rates to find out. As of this writing, Tallinn's general crime rate is 20.09%, lower than most other European capital cities. And if that's not enough, the safety rate of walking around and exploring the city is 90.52% high during the day and drops to 70.26% at night.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Taxes
Relocating to Tallinn means you'll become a taxpayer in Estonia as well. Do you already understand
the country's tax system? Do you know how much you need to pay in taxes? Do you know which ones you're required to pay? Even before you set foot in the country, you ought to, at the very least, understand the gist of how they do taxes here. For your income tax, for instance, you only have to pay the flat rate of 20%, regardless of how much you earn. There's also the social security tax with a flat rate of 30%. And, of course, the VAT with a rate of 20%.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips
Finally, for some final useful relocation tips! Firstly, don't forget to
open your own bank account here. Yes, with a local bank! Or, if you frequently transfer money internationally, a local branch of an international bank. The important thing is that you have a standard, physical bank account in Estonia to help you store and save your finances properly. Secondly, you ought to join a
local mobile network too. It's the only way to keep in contact with your acquaintances here and your friends and family back in your native land.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
You may think that moving to Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is easy peasy since it's not that big nor popular a city. However, that's not always the case! To be safe, let this relocation guide help you every step of the way! You'll need it more than you realize!
