Living in Estonia in 2025
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Living in Estonia has become especially attractive for people interested in digital services, remote work, and modern governance. In 2025, Estonia stands out as one of Europe’s most digitally advanced countries, offering a transparent system, strong startup culture, and a high level of personal freedom.
Key reasons people move to Estonia include:
- Highly digital public services
- Strong startup and tech ecosystem
- Transparent governance
- English widely spoken in professional environments
- EU and Schengen membership
Estonia appeals to people who value systems that “just work”.
Cost of living in Estonia (2025)
Estonia is more expensive than Latvia and Lithuania, but still cheaper than Nordic countries.
Typical monthly expenses (single person)
- Rent (1-bedroom apartment, Tallinn): €700–1,000
- Utilities: €140–230
- Groceries: €200–320
- Public transport: €0–30 (free for residents in Tallinn)
- Internet and mobile: €15–30
- Health insurance (private, optional): €50–90
A realistic monthly budget is €1,000–1,400 depending on lifestyle.
For exact inputs and methodology used across the site, see: Estonia statistics and cost of living data.
Housing and where people live
Tallinn dominates the housing market and is the most expensive city in Estonia.
Main cities
- Tallinn – Capital, strongest job market, most international
- Tartu – University city with growing tech scene
- Pärnu – Smaller coastal city with relaxed lifestyle
Jobs, salaries and work opportunities
Estonia has one of the strongest job markets in the Baltics for skilled professionals. English is widely used in tech and startup environments. Estonian language skills improve integration but are not always mandatory initially.
In-demand fields
- Software development
- Startups and product companies
- Cybersecurity and IT infrastructure
- Fintech and SaaS
- Engineering
Salaries are higher than in Latvia and Lithuania, especially in technology roles.
Taxes and net income
Estonia has a well-known tax system with flat personal income tax, transparent social contributions, and corporate tax only on distributed profits. This is especially attractive to entrepreneurs and startup founders.
Healthcare in Estonia
Estonia offers a public healthcare system with digital access (e-prescriptions and centralised health records). Private healthcare is widely available and often used for faster access.
Expat life in Estonia
Language and integration
English is widely spoken, particularly among younger people and professionals. Estonian is difficult but not essential in many international workplaces.
Social life
Estonians value personal space and privacy. Social circles may form slowly but are typically strong and reliable.
Expat communities
Tallinn and Tartu host active expat and startup communities, including digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
Climate and lifestyle
Estonia has cold, dark winters and mild summers with strong seasonal rhythms. Nature, forests, and coastline are easily accessible even from major cities.
Pros and cons of living in Estonia
Advantages
- World-class digital infrastructure
- Strong tech and startup ecosystem
- Transparent tax system
- High English proficiency
- Safe and well-organised society
Challenges
- Higher living costs than other Baltics
- Long, dark winters
- Competitive housing market in Tallinn
- Smaller social circles