Estonia Needs Foreign Talent. What Does It Take to Become One? (part 1)
- Helery Homutov
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Estonia has earned its reputation as the land of unicorns, startups, and digital innovation. As an Estonian living abroad, I've learned that mentioning Skype, Bolt, or Wise often sparks recognition faster than describing Estonia's location on a map.
But beyond the success stories, there’s a growing conversation about something deeper.
An ageing population, negative natural growth, and the fact that fewer young people are entering the labour market than older workers leaving it, send out a clear message: Estonia needs foreign talent to keep its economy growing.
According to OSKA (Estonia’s labour market monitoring and forecasting system), the country will face a shortage of around 1,400 top specialists and 700 skilled workers every year until 2035, with the biggest gaps in ICT (Information and communications technology), education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
While IT often dominates the headlines with special programmes and campaigns dedicated to attracting foreign talent and promoting Estonia as an international tech hub, I was curious to know what the situation looks like in other sectors.
The Jobs Estonia Struggles to Fill
Among the vacancies that pop up regularly in Estonian job portals and face a significant shortage of qualified specialists are teachers, speech and language therapists (SLTs), and psychologists.
However, hiring foreigners in these fields is particularly challenging, as they must have their qualifications recognised in Estonia and demonstrate proficiency in the Estonian language.
But what if someone is ready to take that road? How (im)possible is it - and is Estonian really one of the hardest languages in the world, or are there people who prove otherwise?
Shortage of Speech and Language Therapists
According to an OSKA study on the healthcare sector, Estonia will need an additional 110 speech and language therapists over the next ten years.
Keiu Barndõk, Chair of the Estonian Logopedists' Union (ELU), confirms that there is indeed a shortage of SLTs, especially in education and healthcare.
The profession itself is not unpopular in Estonia - quite the opposite. In fact, the speech and language therapy master’s programme at the University of Tartu remains one of the most competitive, with about 6.6 applicants per place in the 2025/2026 academic year (for 25 available spots).
So where does the problem lie?
Barndõk explains that the real challenge is the balance between workload and salary. As a result, some graduates move to other professions, or choose to work in the private sector.
Another factor contributing to the shortage dates back to before the 2019/2020 academic year, when state-funded study places were introduced. Prior to that, only around 10–15 students per year were admitted to the programme, creating a gap that still needs to be filled. That’s why continued state support for SLT training remains essential to ensure a sustainable workforce.
Can Speech and Language Therapists Work Internationally?
Barndõk notes that SLTs who have studied abroad can work in Estonia and are welcome to do so.
She points out a successful example of an Estonian who studied at the University of Tartu and now works abroad as a recognised international expert in the field - proving that SLT as a profession itself doesn't limit international mobility.
However, as the field is highly language-specific, especially in areas such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) or Aphasia, a C1 level of Estonian is essential for working effectively with Estonian speaking clients.
“With less, it is simply not possible to grasp all the nuances of the Estonian language,” notes Barndõk.
👉 For speech and language therapists who have obtained their education in other countries, the first step is to contact the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre, which evaluates whether the qualification meets local requirements.
How to Work as a Psychologist in Estonia
According to the Estonian Association of Psychologists, a person can work as a psychologists in Estonia if they:
hold a psychology degree that meets Estonia’s higher education standards
meet EuroPsy training requirements
have Estonian language proficiency at the level required for working in Estonia
If these conditions are met, a person may legally practise as a psychologist in Estonia.
Depending on the specialization (e.g. clinical or school psychology), Estonia has a professional certification system in place. In the fields where certification is available, practising psychologists are expected to obtain it.
Those who have obtained their education abroad are advised to first contact the ENIC/NARIC Centre. After that, they can apply to the Professional Qualifications Committee and, if needed, take a qualification exam — particularly if they want to prove their specialization.
It’s also important for practising specialists to be familiar with Estonian legislation. For instance, independent psychological treatment is regulated under the Health Services Organisation Act and the Minister of Health’s 2023 regulation on the independent provision of physiotherapy, speech therapy, and psychological treatment.
👉 Read more about the qualification process on the Estonian Association of Psychologists’ website.
How Foreign Qualifications Are Recognised in Estonia
Gunnar Vaht, Head of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC Centre (Academic Recognition Information Centre), explains that their role is focused on academic recognition - evaluating and advising how foreign higher education qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates) compare to Estonia’s education system.
The ENIC/NARIC Centre itself does not grant the right to work, as academic recognition is not a focus for employment.
If the profession is regulated, such as in healthcare or teaching, the final decision about professional recognition lies with the relevant authority. For instance, medical professions fall under the Health Board, while teachers are overseen by the Ministry of Education and Research.
In non-regulated professions, it is usually the employer who decides whether a candidate’s qualification is suitable for the position.
👉 See more about the recognition of professional qualifications in Estonia.
Vaht’s main advice for anyone planning to study or work in Estonia is to make sure that their university back home is accredited and officially recognised abroad.
Last but not least, I was curious about what happens to people who try to cheat the system and present fake diplomas. Vaht said that the centre reports about 5–10 cases of fake diplomas per year, which are immediately forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.
Getting Your Degree Recognised Is One Thing — Speaking Estonian Is Another
For most foreign specialists, having a recognised degree is only half the journey. The other half, is mastering the Estonian language.
In the next part, I’ll look at what it takes to speak Estonian — a language often described as a superpower and one of the most challenging in the world, to see whether that reputation is deserved or it's time for rebranding.
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