Estonia is facing labour shortages, especially in healthcare and medical professions, agriculture and farming, as well as manufacturing and production.
As highlighted by the European Labour Authority (EURES) Report for 2022 on labour shortages and surpluses, Estonia was among the top ten countries that reported the highest number of shortages.
Additionally, 12,040 job vacancies were reported in the third quarter this year in Estonia, according to the country’s official statistics agency, Statistics Estonia. Although this figure represents 8.7 per cent less than the same period last year, the country is facing a shortage of workers in different sectors.
According to the EURES, Estonia is facing a shortage of workers in the following occupations:
- Wood treaters
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Refuse sorters
- Physiotherapists
- Pharmacists
- Paper products machine operators
- Nursing professionals
- Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
- Mixed crop and livestock labourers
- Metal production process controllers
- Messengers, package deliverers and luggage porters
- Management and organisation analysts
- Inland and coastal waters fishery workers
- Information and communication technology operations technicians
- Hunters and trappers
- Healthcare assistants
- General medical practitioners
- Fishery and aquaculture labourers
- Electronics engineering technicians
- Dentists
- Crop farm labourers
- Chemical products plant and machine operators
- Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
This implies that foreigners that have any of these professions and intend to live and work in Estonia, have a higher chance of obtaining an Estonian work visa.
On the other hand, Estonia has also reported a surplus in different sectors, among them tourism and hospitality, fashion and textile production, design, health information management, library and information services, and personal services. This implies that people applying for specific jobs related to these sectors, may have a lower chance of getting employment.
Who Needs a Work Visa To Work in Estonia?
Individuals aiming to work in Estonia, will find it noteworthy that this is the easiest country to get a work visa. According to VisaGuide.World, Estonia is known for its high rate of accepted work visa applications, thus, it leads the list of the easiest countries to obtain work visas.
Citizens who are from any of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland are not required to have a work visa in order to work in Estonia. The remaining countries’ citizens must apply for a work visa after they have secured a work contract in advance.
