The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has announced its readiness to tighten the criteria for issuing temporary residence permits (TRP) to citizens of Russia and Belarus. The review will cover current practices and regulatory conditions amid a planned ban on purchasing real estate without a long-term residence permit.

Estonian authorities are preparing a revision of the rules for issuing temporary residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus. For many, this is not just a bureaucratic adjustment—it involves a real risk of rejections, intensified checks, and restrictions on property purchases.

The main question now sounds highly practical: what will this change personally for those already living here or planning to move?

The Main Risk: TRP Ceases to be a "Conditional Right"

Interior Minister Igor Taro stated directly: the decision to issue a temporary TRP is discretionary. This means:

• A rejection is possible even if formal requirements are met;

• Background checks and verification of the origin of funds are being intensified;

• Additional security criteria are being introduced.

According to official Ministry of Interior data as of January 2026:

• 7,797 citizens of the Russian Federation hold a temporary TRP;

• 1,476 are citizens of Belarus;

• 9,273 people in total.

It is this group that will potentially find itself under the most pressure.

Read more: > Border Dilemma: Can Frequent Trips to Russia Cost You Your TRP? — "Narva News"

Why the Situation is Changing Drastically

The catalyst was an inquiry by MEP Yana Toom, which mentioned individuals with an "unclear past." In response, the Minister confirmed:

• Some applicants have opaque sources of funds or biographies that are difficult to verify.

In parallel, the Ministry of the Interior is considering a ban on the purchase of real estate without a long-term residence permit—a measure that could affect approximately 10,000 foreigners.

Read also: > Three Fines and Deportation: Latvia Toughens TRP Cancellation Rules — "Narva News"

Not Just an Estonian Trend

Estonia is acting within a general regional trend:

• Latvia: Since 2022, a virtually complete ban on real estate purchases by citizens of Russia and Belarus has been in effect.

• Finland: Laws have been passed allowing for the blocking of transactions by foreigners for security reasons.

Effectively, the EU is moving toward a unified logic: migration and investment are viewed as security elements.

Figures Show the Tightening Has Already Begun

Statistics confirm the trend:

• 2021: More than 15,000 Russians with temporary TRPs.

• January 2026: 7,797.

• A decrease of nearly 48% in four years.

According to the Police and Border Guard Board, the number of rejections due to security reasons and failure to meet requirements is growing.

Personal Experience: What is Actually Happening in Practice

Over the past year, I have personally assisted with several TRP application cases—and the changes are already felt.

• Observation #1: Bank transaction checks have become deeper: they require not only income certificates but the history of capital origin.

• Observation #2: Interviews with officials have become longer and more detailed—questions cover past contacts, previous work, and sources of investment.

• Observation #3: Even with a full set of documents, decisions take longer—processing times have increased by roughly 30–40%.

Expert Assessment

Migration lawyer Marek Kalju, a member of the Estonian Association of Lawyers for Foreign Law, explains:

"The main change is not new laws, but a change in approach. A TRP is ceasing to be an administrative procedure and is becoming a risk assessment tool."

According to him, key factors for rejection include:

• Opaque source of funds;

• Frequent trips to high-risk countries;

• Weak integration ties with Estonia.

What This Means for You

If you live in Tallinn or plan to submit documents, consider the possible consequences:

• Growth in the number of rejections;

• Difficulty in extensions;

• Inability to purchase housing;

• Stricter income checks.

What actually helps reduce the risk:

1. Transparent financial history.

2. Long-term employment contracts.

3. Clear ties to Estonia (work, education, business).

4. Absence of "blank periods" in your biography.

The Bottom Line

Policy is shifting systematically: a temporary TRP is no longer perceived as a neutral administrative status—it is becoming a security tool. For people, this means one simple thing: the decision depends less on formal documents and more on the trust of the state.