Acquisition of citizenship
Language exam
In cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, we offer free courses to help you learn Estonian at the B1 level, which is required for applying for citizenship. To offer this opportunity, we conclude a language learning agreement with residents interested in acquiring Estonian citizenship, allowing them to study Estonian free of charge up to the B1 level (covering levels A1, A2, and B1).
A language learning agreement can be concluded after completing the relevant consultation. During the counselling, we will provide you with detailed information on the language learning agreement, Estonian language learning, and other issues related to acquiring Estonian citizenship. We recommend that you consult the following information before the consultation:
Who can enter into a language learning agreement?
Residents interested in acquiring Estonian citizenship are welcome to conclude a language learning agreement if they:
- are at least 15 years old (for those aged 15–18, parental or guardian consent is required to sign the agreement);
- have lived in Estonia for at least five years on the basis of a residence permit or right of residence;
- have no circumstances that would preclude them from obtaining Estonian citizenship (as specified in subsection 21 (1) of the Citizenship Act);
- have not participated in Estonian language courses (co-)funded by the state budget within the last two years (prior to signing the agreement).
What should you do to conclude a language learning agreement?
The first step is to complete a consultation. Consultations are held by prior arrangement – by phone, in person at the Estonian Language House, or online.
To arrange a time and place, please contact our advisors:
info@integratsiooniinfo.ee
800 9999 - free phone call in Estonia (MON–THU 9–17, FRI 9–16)
+372 6599025 - free phone call from abroad (MON–THU 9–17, FRI 9–16)
What happens during the consultation?
During the consultation, we will provide a detailed overview of the terms of the language learning agreement and answer any questions you may have.
First, we will introduce the programme, explain the options for language proficiency testing, and our self-service portal. If you do not already have an account, we will ask you to create one.
Next, you will be invited to a longer meeting, where we will thoroughly present the programme and answer any additional questions. We expect that by the time of this meeting, you will have created a self-service account and completed the language proficiency test.
After the meeting, we will provide the necessary materials for concluding the language learning agreement, including the application form and a participant information sheet.
What should you keep in mind when concluding a language learning agreement?
There are several aspects of the language learning programme and the conditions for applying for citizenship that we recommend considering before signing the agreement:
- Before signing the agreement, we will send the data of residents who have completed the consultation to the Police and Border Guard Board for verification. The verification process may take several months. We can conclude the agreement once the verification confirms that the resident meets the necessary requirements.
- By signing the agreement, the language learner commits to completing language studies up to the B1 level in Estonian, fulfilling the conditions for applying for citizenship, and submitting an application for Estonian citizenship within one year after passing the B1-level exam.
- To acquire Estonian citizenship through naturalization, you must renounce your current citizenship. To this end, after receiving an application for Estonian citizenship, the Police and Border Guard Board issues a certificate on the basis of which you can contact the consulate of the country that issued your existing citizenship to be released from it.
- By the time of applying for Estonian citizenship, you must hold either a long-term residence permit or permanent right of residence.
What does the pre-agreement verification involve?
We forward the application for concluding a language learning agreement to the Police and Border Guard Board for verifying the submitted data. The aim is to confirm compliance with the requirements set out in the Citizenship Act (you must have legally resided in Estonia for at least five years and must not have any disqualifying circumstances, such as criminal convictions).
If the verification confirms compliance, we will send the language learning agreement for digital signing (see the relevant digital signing instructions). After both parties have signed the agreement, we will offer you a place in an Estonian language course as soon as possible.
If the verification process identifies that the requirements are not met, we will send an explanatory email along with our recommendations for next steps.
What level of prior language skills is required?
The Estonian language courses offered under the language learning agreement allow you to study Estonian free of charge up to the B1 level, covering levels A1, A2, and B1. In other words, beginners who are just starting to learn Estonian at the A1 level are welcome. Residents interested in citizenship who already have a basic knowledge of Estonian are also welcome to continue their studies.
How do we assess your Estonian language level?
Before concluding the language learning agreement, we will assess your language skills with a diagnostic test. Additionally, your language level will be tested by the course provider at the beginning and end of each course to support your learning progress.
Where and when do the Estonian language courses under the agreement take place?
Courses are held in person (in classrooms, for example, in Tallinn, Narva, Jõhvi, etc.) or online (available throughout Estonia). When concluding the agreement, you can indicate your preferences regarding the form and schedule of the language studies.
How long do the courses last?
The duration of the language courses depends on your current level of Estonian. Courses at A1 and A2 levels each consist of 160 academic hours, and the B1 level course consists of 180 academic hours. In total, the language learning programme across levels A1, A2, and B1 includes 500 academic hours. In addition to lessons, independent study, including homework, is also required.
How to register for a course?
We invite everyone who has signed a language learning agreement and whose data has been saved in our foundation’s self-service portal to register for the Estonian language courses. You will have the opportunity to join the self-service portal during the consultation, which will later allow you to update your data and use the portal independently.
Information about available study groups will be sent to the email address you have entered in the self-service portal. Please keep your email address up to date, as you must register for a course as soon as possible after receiving the invitation. Study groups fill up quickly and delaying your response to the invitation may result in losing your place.
When forming study groups, we first notify those who have successfully completed the previous course level. After that, we inform all other eligible participants.
If you see a study group in the self-service portal that you would like to join but have not yet received an invitation from us, please contact our advisers:
info@integratsiooniinfo.ee
800 9999 - free phone call in Estonia (MON–THU 9–17, FRI 9–16)
+372 6599025 - free phone call from abroad (MON–THU 9–17, FRI 9–16)
Important considerations when participating in a language course
The course provider will test students before each course starts and again at the end of the course to assess learning progress and provide additional support for language development.
All necessary study materials will be provided free of charge to support your learning process. We kindly ask you to treat the materials with care and respect.
By confirming your participation in the course, you commit to attending the lessons. You are required to attend at least 75% of the lessons, but full attendance is strongly encouraged, as it is essential for your success in learning the language.
The courses are conducted in Estonian. Students who attend at least 75% of the total course hours and successfully pass the final test will receive a certificate of completion.
We understand that unexpected situations, such as illness, may arise. In such cases, please inform the course organiser (project manager or teacher), who will communicate with us. We aim to be as understanding and supportive as possible.
Under what conditions can you receive compensation for study leave?
If you take unpaid study leave to participate in a language course, you can apply for compensation for the study leave. To receive the compensation, you must submit an application along with a confirmation from your employer verifying both your salary amount and the granting of unpaid study leave.
Participants who have signed a language learning agreement and have taken unpaid study leave are eligible to receive compensation for up to 20 calendar days per language proficiency level, based on their average salary. The maximum compensation amount is equivalent to the national average gross monthly salary in Estonia.
You can apply for unpaid study leave compensation once per month after using the unpaid study leave. To apply, you must complete and sign the application form yourself and have it signed by your employer. The signed application must be sent to the following email address: keeleleping@integratsioon.ee.
Compensation will be paid no later than the following month after the unpaid study leave has been used, but not earlier than 10 working days from the date the application was submitted.
Who conducts the language exam?
To apply for citizenship, the applicant must pass the Estonian language B1 level exam. The language proficiency levels are based on the levels described in the European Framework for Language Learning, which include A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1.
The exam and its pre-consultations are conducted by the Education and Youth Board (HARNO). You can find detailed information about the exams and the conditions for taking them on their official website.
Under what conditions is the language learning agreement considered fulfilled?
The language learning agreement is considered fulfilled if the resident who signed it has submitted an application for Estonian citizenship to the Police and Border Guard Board and has provided us with the corresponding certificate. This marks the end of participation in the respective programme and the termination of the language learning agreement (due to the fulfilment of conditions).
