What is the Welcoming Programme?
Who can participate?
The Welcoming Programme is a free training programme offered by the Estonian state, which helps foreigners arriving in Estonia to settle and adapt to life here more easily. The programme consists of different training courses and provides an overview of the Estonian state and society, as well as day-to-day life. Additionally, the Estonian language is taught, and topics related to work, study and family are also introduced within the programme. The trainings are offered in English and Russian in Tallinn, Tartu and Narva.
Foreigners who have lived in Estonia for less than 5 years and are one of the following: foreign nationals who have been granted a temporary residence permit in Estonia (third-country national); citizens of the European Union who have registered their place of residence in Estonia and as a result have acquired the temporary right of residence in Estonia.
Why do I need an ID card?
Why attend the Welcoming Programme? The courses are comprehensive and practical and it is fun and safe to learn together. Experienced teachers help to solve practical problems as well as to study the language. All courses are free. Throughout the programme, you can have continuous discussions with the teachers and other participants. It gives you the opportunity to exchange experiences with other foreigners, hear about the situations they have encountered and how they have addressed them.
How can you participate? A citizen from a third country
A citizen of the European Union Register your place of residence in a local municipality, after which you receive a personal identification code
Apply for a document from the Police and Border Guard Board and receive an invitation to the Welcoming Programme
1. Go to settleinestonia.ee and register for a course
Where can I learn Estonian?
Submit a residence permit application to the Police and Border Guard Board
With a positive decision, you receive both an invitation to the Welcoming Programme and a personal identification code
2. You receive the confirmation and more detailed information by e-mail
3. Come to the training with your Estonian ID
“The programme does not only provide useful and comprehensive information about life in Estonia, but also helps to expand the social network.“ - Viktoria from Russia
What about opening a bank account?
The free Welcoming Programme helps foreigners to settle in Estonia.
settleinestonia.ee Settle in Estonia info@settleinestonia.ee