Estonia is facing labour shortages in 63 occupations, the 2023 EURES Report on shortages and surpluses has revealed.

Some of the most affected industries are skilled trades, healthcare, IT, food service and hospitality, and manufacturing, Schengen.News reports.

Moreover, a recent study by the Work in Estonia revealed that the local industry is facing challenges in finding Estonian workers. While this situation poses a challenge for the country’s economy, it may be an opportunity for foreign workers who belong to the most in-demand jobs and wish to work in Estonia.

According to the latest EURES report, some of the professions facing labour shortages in Estonia are:

• Welders and flame cutters
• Plumbers and pipe fitters
• Heavy truck and lorry drivers
• Specialist medical practitioners
• Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers
• Metal working machine tool setters and operators
• Waiters
• Nursing professionals
• Building and related electricians
• Cooks
• Systems analysts
• Generalist medical practitioners
• Health care assistants
• Civil engineers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Bus and tram drivers
• Butchers, fishmongers and related food preparers
• Electrical mechanics and fitters
• Bricklayers and related workers
• Chefs
• Software developers
• Building construction labourers
• Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers

On the other hand, Estonia reported six surplus professions, such as accounting and bookkeeping clerks, data entry clerks, interior designers and decorators, administrative and executive secretaries, journalists, and product and garment designers.

This means that foreigners may find it difficult to secure employment in these roles due to high competition.

40% of Job Vacancies in Q1 Were in Public Sector

In the first quarter of 2024, Estonia’s enterprises, institutions and organisations reported nearly 10,000 job vacancies, as revealed by the Statistics Estonia.

40 per cent of the job vacancies during this period were related to the public sector. Meanwhile, sectors with the lowest vacancies were agriculture, forestry and fishing, according to the social statistics analyst, Liina Kuusik.

The rate of job vacancies was highest in public administration and defence, human health and social work activities, and transportation and storage. The lowest rates were found in other service activities and in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Who Needs a Work Visa To Work in Estonia?

Individuals aiming to work in Estonia, will find it noteworthy that this is the easiest country to get a work visa. According to VisaGuide.World, Estonia is known for its high rate of accepted work visa applications, thus, it leads the list of the easiest countries to obtain work visas.

Citizens who are from any of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland are not required to have a work visa in order to work in Estonia. The remaining countries’ citizens must apply for a work visa after they have secured a work contract in advance.