Settle in Estonia is a national adaptation program designed to help newcomers better understand and integrate into life, work, and education in Estonia. Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the content of the program, participation requirements, language courses, and the rights and obligations of different target groups. Whether you want to know who is eligible to participate, how long the trainings last, or how to certify your language skills, you'll find the answers here.
Who is the Settle in Estonia programme for?
The adaptation programme Settle in Estonia is open to all adults who have been residing in Estonia on the basis of a temporary residence permit for less than 5 years after the first temporary residence permit was issued. Beneficiaries of international protection (except for temporary protection) are obliged to participate in the basic module of the adaptation programme and in Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1. Beneficiaries of temporary protection are obliged to participate in the basic module of the adaptation programme and to attend Estonian language courses at level A1. Persons who have arrived in Estonia in the course of conventional migration and who have been granted a residence permit in Estonia, e.g. for work, study, business, or to live with a family member, as well as citizens of the EU and their family members, are strongly encouraged to participate in the basic and thematic modules of the adaptation programme and in Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1.
How long will the training last?
The basic module of the adaptation programme is either 1 or 4 days, i.e. 8 or 36 academic hours. Estonian language courses consist of a total of 500 academic hours of supervised study and an additional 180 academic hours of independent study (see the notice on this subject). Estonian language courses last for 100 academic hours at level A1, 150 academic hours at level A2, and 250 academic hours at level B1.
Can I take the Estonian language course of the adaptation programme Settle in Estonia several times?
The Estonian language courses of the Settle in Estonia programme can be successfully completed only once at each level. For example, if you have successfully completed an A2-level course as part of the Settle in Estonia programme, you will not be able to participate in a second Estonian course at the same level under Settle in Estonia.
When will a language course certificate from another country be entered into the Settle in Estonia system to progress to the next level of Settle in Estonia?
In order to add the certificate of an Estonian language course completed outside the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme to the Settle in Estonia platform, it must be sent to info@settleinestonia.ee. If the certificate meets the conditions of the Settle in Estonia programme, it will be added to the Settle in Estonia platform within approximately two weeks.
Why is a language course completed under Settle in Estonia not reflected in a person’s account?
It may take a couple of weeks to two months to enter the results of the Estonian language course you have completed under the Settle in Estonia programme to the platform.
If I have passed the level A2 exam on the courses of the Settle in Estonia programme, do I have to retake the national exam?
Settle in Estonia offers Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1 level. In order to certify your proficiency in Estonian at levels A2 and B1, you must pass the national language proficiency examination. The adaptation programme Settle in Estonia does not include language proficiency examinations. You can read more about national language proficiency examinations here: https://harno.ee/en/examinations-tests-and-studies/examinations-tests-and-certificates/estonian-language-proficiency
What is the required language level for beneficiaries of international protection?
Beneficiaries of international protection (except for temporary protection) are required to learn Estonian language at level B1. To prove language proficiency, it is necessary to pass a language proficiency examination. Beneficiaries of temporary protection are required to attend a level A1 Estonian course.
Will language courses still be available if you change your residence permit?
The adaptation programme Settle in Estonia is open to all adults who have been residing in Estonia on the basis of a temporary residence permit for less than 5 years after the first temporary residence permit was issued. Changing your temporary residence permit does not prevent you from taking part in the adaptation programme.
Do pensioners have to participate in adaptation trainings?
Under the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens, newly arrived immigrants of retirement age are not obliged to attend Estonian language courses. Pursuant to the regulation on the adaptation programme, a person who is unable to cope independently due to a medical condition or disability may participate in the adaptation programme in the parts and to the extent of their choice. Participation in the basic module of the adaptation programme is strongly recommended for all adult newly arrived immigrants.
Do I have to complete the programme to get Estonian citizenship?
Completion of the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme is important if you wish to extend your temporary residence permit or apply for one on a different basis. To apply for Estonian citizenship, it is necessary to pass the level B1 Estonian language examination and the examination on the knowledge of the Estonian Constitution and the Citizenship Act. More information on applying for citizenship - https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/estonian-citizenship-for-an-adult
