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Russia → Estonia

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Russia
To
Estonia
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
1,143
Change since 2018
-21.8%
Share of all arrivals in Estonia, 2023
5.68%
Inflow 20231,143OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
CR<EERUSSIA<ESTONIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
RU9<EE0<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

Migration from Russia to Estonia

Inflows of nationals of Russia recorded by Estonia; stock of nationals of Russia living there; and acquisitions of Estonia's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

9591,91820042007201020132016201920222023
9591,918200420082012201620202023
Data table
2004233
2005234
2006346
2007433
2008435
2009505
2010356
2011913
2012460
2013544
2014421
20151,294
20161,290
20171,272
20181,462
20191,692
20201,417
20211,860
20221,918
20231,143
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—79,332—
20231,14381,036467
20221,91881,691365
20211,86082,890298
20201,41785,970198
20191,69288,129230
20181,46289,010199
20171,27290,277225
20161,29091,405244
20151,29492,575132
201442193,566204
201354495,071169
201246096,491174
2011913—156
2010356—77
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Russia who live in Estonia: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

142k283k19901995200020052010201520202024
142k283k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990283,457
1995236,214
2000188,970
2005172,571
2010154,721
2015129,187
2020119,097
2024121,354
Estimate, 2024
121,354
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
59.8%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
1
Counted by
country of birth
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Estonia's consulates in Russia

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Estonia's consulates located in Russia.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
20242,3051,30452222.6%
20232,7991,24489031.8%
202213,06510,8991,73613.3%
202132,60631,6569132.8%
202022,18621,9101400.6%
2019124,045123,4655710.5%
2018105,675105,0526080.6%
2017110,817110,1365430.5%
201682,93282,4155030.6%
201580,66880,1515040.6%
2014109,208108,4335180.5%
2013140,041138,9521,0360.7%
2012129,666128,0901,5761.2%
2011107,717106,8868310.8%
201091,88990,1141,7781.9%
200975,72774,6361,0411.4%

Applications by year

70k140k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
70k140k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200975,727
201091,889
2011107,717
2012129,666
2013140,041
2014109,208
201580,668
201682,932
2017110,817
2018105,675
2019124,045
202022,186
202132,606
202213,065
20232,799
20242,305
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Estonia

First residence permits issued by Estonia to citizens of Russia (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family131
  2. Other reasons56
  3. Work3
  4. Education2
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025192500
20243263201313
20236334467451
20221,39914365541
20211,49315298485
20201,1956198468
20191,30612230396
20181,05813199303
20178816224288
20161,05112244273
20159705133230
20149084205187
20138425169168
2012940101730
20111,44501560
20101,0880750
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities3
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
78,377
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
365
Changed status into work, 2025
4
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Estonia in Russia, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyMoscowmoscow.mfa.ee
Consulate-generalSaint Petersburg—
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Estonia, 2023; Russia ranks 2.

Inflows to Estonia, 2023
  1. Ukraine13,082
  2. Russia1,143
  3. Finland542
  4. Germany430
  5. Latvia418
  6. India278
  7. Moldova244
  8. Italy236
  9. France225
  10. Belarus199
  11. Türkiye198
  12. Spain177
Other destinations for people from Russia, 2023
  1. Israel33,116
  2. Türkiye28,314
  3. Germany26,720
  4. Spain21,617
  5. South Korea17,550
  6. United States12,910
  7. Netherlands5,160
  8. France5,035
  9. Portugal4,893
  10. Italy4,633
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more