Estonia, a small but innovative country in Northern Europe, has become an attractive destination for expats seeking a high quality of life. With its advanced digital infrastructure, progressive policies, and welcoming environment, living in Estonia as an expat offers numerous benefits. This article explores what life in Estonia entails, the job market, and practical advice for those considering the move.

Questions of social insurance, pensions and health care in Estonia are paramount when you consider living there. I hope that you’ll find some useful guidance in the article below.

Estonian is the official language of Estonia, but the North and South have different dialects. These result from two migrations into Estonia each having different Finnish language. The Northern dialect has taken precedence, but Demark, Germany , Sweden and Russia have all contributed to making Estonian culture equipped with a unique language, unlike the other Baltic languages or Russian. However, around a quarter of the population speak Russian. German is sometimes spoken in the Baltic areas, as is Swedish in the north-west.

Estonian men prove their virility by carrying their wives further than men from other countries which participate in this annual event. The cool way to do so is called the “Estonian Method”. The wife grip the man’s neck with her legs and hangs down his back. The origin of this strange sport lies in gang initiation, where gangsters would carry off someone’s wife.

Tallinn introduced free rides for residents in January 2013. The idea was to cut pollution and open up the city for the poorer residents, which would allow them to take jobs otherwise out of reach. It does make access easier, especially in winter road conditions.

There is a property boom in Estonia, despite slow economic growth. Demand for property is rising, as are house prices. You can access a Detailed Buying Guide (written in 2008) as this includes advice on buying off-plan.