Student jobs and internships in European countries

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can work in Estonia without any permit, just like Estonians. A student job is a normal job: the minimum wage, holiday and working-time rules apply.

• Short jobs and health insurance: your employer’s health insurance only covers you if your contract is for more than one month or for an unspecified term – for short holiday jobs, keep your European Health Insurance Card.
• Study leave: if you work and study at the same time, you can take up to 30 calendar days of study leave a year – 20 days paid at your average wage and 10 days unpaid – plus 15 extra days, paid at the minimum wage, to complete your studies.
• Work practice for jobseekers: if you are registered as unemployed with Töötukassa, you can do work practice with an employer for up to 4 months and receive a stipend of €3.84 a day plus a travel allowance (EURES, 2026).

Students from outside the EU with a residence permit for study can work without a work permit, with no limit on working hours, as long as the job does not interfere with your studies – you must keep passing your courses on time.

Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in Estonia – practical information.