A new, eighth statistical brochure of the EMN Estonian Contact Point, Migration Statistics 2021–2025, has been published. It provides an overview of the main migration trends in Estonia in 2025. The brochure includes information on changes in the net migration balance, the purposes for which third‑country nationals arrived in Estonia, who acquired Estonian citizenship, and how the number of recipients of international protection and temporary protection has changed. This year’s focus topic is settling permanently in Estonia on the basis of a temporary residence permit.
Summary of 2025 statistics
- The net migration balance remained negative, for the first time since 2014.
- Third‑country nationals came to Estonia mainly for employment and family migration, followed by studies and business. As usual, men most often applied for temporary residence permits for employment and studies, while women applied mainly based on family migration.
- The total number of first‑time temporary residence permits fell to a record low — a 24.7% decrease compared with 2024.
- First‑time temporary residence permits decreased across almost all grounds:
- family migration –32.6%
- labour migration –23.9%
- study migration –1.8%
- business –33.8%
- The number of temporary residence permits issued for settling permanently in Estonia increased sharply — by 243.9% compared with the previous year. The main reason was the rise in people transitioning from temporary protection to a temporary residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia.
- Compared with the previous year, the number of applicants and recipients of both international protection and temporary protection decreased.
- The net migration balance was negative for the first time since 2014.
Net migration balance turned negative
According to Statistics Estonia, 15,212 people arrived in Estonia in 2025 through registered migration, while 18,014 left. Emigration exceeded immigration by 2,802 people. The last time Estonia recorded a negative net migration balance was in 2014.
Since 2022, the main driver of immigration has been the arrival of Ukrainian war refugees. In 2025, 4,791 Ukrainian citizens arrived and 5,617 left — meaning more Ukrainians left Estonia than arrived.
Visa numbers remained low but stable
Since 2022, cross‑border mobility has been strongly influenced by restrictions and sanctions imposed on Russian citizens due to the war in Ukraine. As several Estonian foreign missions stopped accepting visa applications, the number of short‑term type C visas (Schengen visas) issued in 2025 remained low (8,911 visas, +0.3% compared with 2024). The number of long‑term type D visas issued also remained at a record low (5,225 visas, –4.3%).
C‑visas were issued mainly to citizens of India, Russia, and Türkiye; D‑visas mainly to citizens of Moldova, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Top purposes for C‑visas: visiting family, tourism, business. Top purposes for D‑visas: short‑term employment, studies, visiting family.
Short‑term employment continued to decline
The number of short‑term employment registrations fell by 7.4% compared with 2024. Many Ukrainians who previously worked in Estonia on short‑term employment moved to international protection status after the war began.
Ukrainians’ share of short‑term workers has dropped significantly:
- 72% in 2021
- 25% in 2025
Seasonal work registrations also decreased by 11.4% (888 registrations).
First‑time temporary residence permits fell to a record low
The number of first‑time temporary residence permits issued in 2025 decreased by 24.7% compared with 2024. The main reasons remain unchanged: the war in Ukraine, sanctions on Russian and Belarusian citizens, economic instability, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Lower labour migration also reduces family migration. In 2025, family migration was additionally affected by children with temporary protection moving to family migration grounds, because parents applying for a residence permit for settling permanently in Estonia were advised to apply for the child under the “joining a parent” category — which requires paying the state fee only once and ensures automatic extensions for the child.
Breakdown of declines:
- family migration –32.6%
- labour migration –23.9%
- study migration –1.8%
- business –33.8%
Most first‑time temporary residence permits were issued to citizens of:
- India (258)
- Ukraine (257)
- Pakistan (131)
Labour migration permits were issued mainly to Ukrainians, Indians, and Uzbeks. Family migration permits mainly to Russians, Ukrainians, and Indians. Study migration permits mainly to Pakistanis, Indians, and Azerbaijanis. Business permits mainly to citizens of Türkiye, the USA, and China.
In 2025, only 939 first‑time temporary residence permits for employment were issued (–23.9%). Permits for top specialists decreased by 8% (156 permits). Permits for working in a startup remained stable (19 permits).
Sharp increase in temporary residence permits for settling permanently in Estonia
In 2025, the number of temporary residence permits issued for settling permanently in Estonia increased by 243.9%. The main reason was the surge in people transitioning from temporary protection to this more stable residence basis.
Among recipients:
- 51.4% previously held international protection
- 33% previously held employment‑based residence (down from 57% in 2024)
- 11% transitioned from family migration (down from 26.6%)
The increase was also influenced by amendments to the Aliens Act entering into force in 2026, which introduced new requirements (e.g., A2 language requirement). Many applicants submitted their applications before the new rules took effect.
Ukrainian and Russian citizens have been the main groups applying for this residence basis. In 2025, Ukrainians accounted for 67% of all recipients — mostly people who previously held temporary protection. Numbers also increased among Indian and Nigerian citizens who previously held residence permits for employment or studies.
International protection and temporary protection applications decreased
Until early 2022, the number of applicants and recipients of international protection in Estonia remained low. After Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, applications surged to nearly 3,000 in 2022, and 2,107 people received protection.
In 2025:
- 1,001 people applied for international protection (–24.6%)
- 756 people received protection (–44.7%)
Ukrainians remained the largest group (over 90% of applications), though numbers are declining. Other applicants came mainly from Russia, Belarus, Georgia, and Tajikistan.
Temporary protection developments:
- In 2022, Estonia received 41,871 applications from Ukrainian refugees.
- In 2025, 5,638 applied (2,221 women, 2,276 men, 1,141 children).
- Temporary protection was extended for 23,410 people.
The EU extended temporary protection until 4 March 2027.
Fewer naturalisation applications, slightly more citizenships granted
Compared with 2024, naturalisation applications decreased by 9% (998 applications). However, the number of people who acquired Estonian citizenship by naturalisation increased by 4% (781 people).
Previous citizenships of new Estonian citizens:
- undetermined citizenship (318)
- Russia (314)
- Ukraine (22)
- India (15)
- Syria (11)
Conclusion
Estonia’s migration statistics show that both the war in Ukraine and Estonia’s economic downturn continue to directly affect all areas of immigration.
The Estonian Contact Point of the European Migration Network uses mainly Police and Border Guard Board data, supplemented by Statistics Estonia, the Population Register, and the Ministry of Culture.
Download the Migration Statistics 2021–2025 overview here.