Number of Short-Term Foreign Workers in Estonia Declines; Majority Work in Agriculture
This year, 2,396 short-term foreign workers have arrived in Estonia, significantly fewer than in previous years. Most are employed in agriculture, primarily from Ukraine, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.
Data from the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board indicates a decrease in short-term foreign labor recruitment. As of June 29, 2025, 2,396 short-term work permits have been issued, compared to 5,379 in 2024 and 4,980 in 2023.
Main countries of origin include Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, India, and Georgia. Over the past three years, a clear seasonal pattern has emerged: applications surge in March and decline in early autumn, pointing to seasonal work, primarily in agriculture. Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many workers also came from Belarus, but that flow has ceased.
Raimond Strastin, head of the Estonian Horticultural Association, explains that berry growers find seasonal workers on their own, often through referrals from Ukraine and Moldova. However, turnover is high: some fall ill, others move to higher-paying countries, making it increasingly difficult to find workers. Bureaucracy and security checks cause additional delays; for instance, obtaining education diplomas required for permits has become challenging amid the war. Recently, the Police and Border Guard Board has begun processing applications faster.
The shortage of local seasonal workers is the main reason farmers rely on foreign labor. Strastin notes that many locals prefer leisure over early morning or evening work in the fields, especially when berry picking depends on weather conditions. This year's harvest is poor: heavy rains have flooded fields, hindering access to berries.
