Published: 17.06.2026
The Riigikogu’s Constitutional Committee asked the Ministry of the Interior to prepare amendments that could ease residence permit requirements for spouses and registered partners of Estonian citizens. The initiative follows the Chancellor of Justice’s view that refusing a permit solely because of a lack of fixed monthly income may conflict with the right to family life.
According to the sources, this is still a proposal to prepare legislative amendments, not a change to the rules currently in force. The initiative could broaden the circumstances considered in an application by taking savings, proceeds from property sales, and irregular business income into account alongside regular salary. Until amendments are adopted, foreign spouses and partners of Estonian citizens should continue to follow the existing proof-of-means requirements. The development is most relevant to families where the applicant’s income is irregular or does not come as a fixed salary.