Estonia is a realistic move from Russia if you match a residence route to your situation early. The short version: a one-bedroom rents for about €750 a month in the bigger cities, typical net salaries run around €1,500, personal taxes sit at 22% flat, and permanent residence usually takes about 5 years of legal stay. Here is how the move actually works for Russian citizens.
Getting in: your route options
As Russian citizens you need a visa even for short visits, so plan the paperwork early. For an actual move you need a residence permit tied to a reason; the visit visa and the residence process are separate tracks.
- Remote work: Estonia runs the Digital Nomad Visa, income bar around €3,500/mo, Up to 12 months. The original EU nomad visa (2020); pairs well with e-Residency for company owners.
- Work: a job offer plus a work permit; for higher-paid qualified roles ask employers about the EU Blue Card, which speeds up residence across most of the bloc.
- Study: university admission converts into a student permit, usually with part-time work rights and a post-graduation job-seeker option.
- Family and ancestry: joining an EU spouse or partner, or claiming citizenship by descent if you have an EU-citizen parent or grandparent.
What life in Estonia costs
Budget roughly €750 for a one-bed plus about €840 for essentials and transport, per person. English friendliness scores 75/100 here, and everyday taxes for employees run at 22% flat: see the full picture on the taxes in Estonia page, including freelancer regimes and company rates.
The long game
Permanent residence in Estonia takes about 5 years of legal residence, and citizenship about 8 years from arrival, subject to language and integration requirements. If an EU passport is part of your plan, weigh this timeline against neighbouring countries before you commit.