Find your home & Security Deposits in Estonia

Find your home & Security Deposits

Secure Accommodation Early: Official Regulations and Procedures
Finding accommodation should be started immediately after receiving the acceptance letter. In Estonia, rental contracts and access to housing are strictly regulated by the Code of Obligations (Võlaõigusseadus), which is applied differently depending on the student's residence status.
European Union (EU/EEA) Students

- Basic documents: Valid passport or national identity card.
- Legal procedure: Signing a standard rental contract (üürileping). The official documents are used by the landlord to draw up the necessary contract later at the town hall.

Non-EU Students (International Students)

- Required documents: Passport, long-stay D visa and the official admission letter from the university.
- Enrolment requirement: Most Estonian universities only finalise enrolment after the student declares a stable physical address. The property owner is legally obliged to sign a consent application so that the student can register his/her address in the Population Register (Rahvastikuregister), a mandatory step to obtain the Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) through the PPA (Police and Border Guard).

Population Register (Rahvastikuregister)Official government link: The official self-service portal where students digitally authenticate (with Smart-ID/ID Card) to register their rental address is available on the E-Rahvastikuregister portal

State explanatory guide: For official details about the procedure, rights and forms to download, students can consult the dedicated section on the Eesti.ee State Portal.

Read more about Eesti.ee State Portal

PPA (Police and Border Guard Board / Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet)
TRP information for studies: The complete step-by-step guide, the required official forms and the list of mandatory documents for obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) can be found directly on the Police and Border Guard Board - Applying for a Residence Permit platform.

Physical Appointment Booking: Since the application requires physical presence for fingerprints, students are required to book a time slot in advance using the PPA Booking System (Broneering) appointment portal.

To avoid unsafe intermediaries, students have three main categories of licensed accommodation in Tallinn:
1. Commercially Managed Spaces
These are buildings operated by licensed real estate companies, specifically for young people and students. They offer flexible and transparent digital commercial contracts.

- Campus House by Larsen: Located on Akadeemia tee 32b, right next to TalTech University and Tehnopol Science Park. It features furnished studios, lofts, a fitness room, co-working spaces, a rooftop terrace and a full digital keyless entry system.
- Eduard House by Larsen: Located on [Liimi tänav 1b](https://larsen.ee/search), in the Kristiine area. It includes large communal areas, a reading room and modern facilities for flexible rental periods.
- Larsen Framework Policies: All properties managed by use a transparent payment structure. This includes the studio rent, a fixed utility fee (high-speed Wi-Fi included) and a standard administration fee.

2. Budget Institutional Options

- Academic Hostel: Located on Akadeemia tee 11/1, it is managed in close connection with the Tallinn university ecosystem. It is the most affordable budget option for newly arrived international students, offering rooms structured as an apartment (two rooms share a kitchen and a bathroom).

3. Certified Rental Platforms

- HousingAnywhere Estonia: A trusted pan-European platform, officially recommended by Estonian universities as a safe alternative to the open market.
- Tenant Protection System: The first month's rent is blocked by the platform and is only released to the owner 48 hours after the student physically moves in. This gives time to verify the reality of the property with the photos in the ad.
- Proof of Housing: The reservation confirmed through the platform provides an official accommodation document accepted by the PPA (Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet) for the initial processing of long-stay visas (Visa D), without the need for a prior physical viewing of the property.

Campus House by Larsen

Is a modern co-living complex located at Akadeemia tee 32b in Tallinn, situated directly adjacent to TalTech University and the Tehnopol Science Park. The property offers fully furnished studios and lofts alongside communal amenities including a fitness room, co-working spaces, a rooftop terrace, and a digital keyless entry system. You can explore more details directly at Larsen Estonia

Eduard House by Larsen, Tallinn

Strategic location: Located on Liimi tänav 1b(https://larsen.ee/houses) in the Kristiine district, offering fast public transport connections to Tallinn city centre and Mustamäe district.
- Eduard House by Larsen, Tallinn: Large communal spaces: The building includes a shared lobby lounge with air hockey/table hockey and a spacious rooftop terrace with city views.
- Eduard House by Larsen, Tallinn: Reading and study room: Offers a quiet co-working area (quiet room / library nook) optimized for academic concentration.
- Eduard House by Larsen, Tallinn: Flexible facilities: The studios and two-bedroom apartments are fully furnished, include free Wi-Fi, bicycle parking, laundry facilities and can be rented from a few nights to several months.

Academic Hostel

Is the leading institutional accommodation solution for international students arriving in Tallinn.

- Strategic campus location: Located on Akadeemia tee 11/1, the hostel is located directly on the green campus of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). Students have access to academic buildings, the university library, research centers and the sports complex within just 5 minutes on foot.
- Shared Blocks: To maximize accessibility and privacy, twin rooms are organized in apartment-style blocks. Each two separate rooms share a common space that includes a fully equipped kitchenette (stove, refrigerator), a shower room and a toilet.
- Student amenities included: Rooms are equipped with individual work desks, free high-speed Wi-Fi and lockers. The complex offers 24/7 reception, self-service laundry services, permanent security and free parking.
- Direct university management: Operating as part of the campus infrastructure, the unit collaborates directly with the university's International Mobility Office to accommodate organized groups of foreign students and researchers, providing the residency documents necessary for rapid integration.

HousingAnywhere Estonia

Is an international medium and long-term rental portal, integrated into the Estonian real estate market as a fully secure solution against fraud. The platform eliminates the need for prior physical viewings, giving students the opportunity to book an apartment or room remotely, before arriving in Tallinn or Tartu.

How the Tenant Protection Policy works
To ensure a transparent rental process, the platform uses a suite of security mechanisms:
- Rent Holding System: At the time of booking, the student pays the first month's rent through the platform. HousingAnywhere holds this money in a secure account and does not transfer it to the landlord until 48 hours after the student's official move-in date.
- 48-Hour Inspection Window: After physically arriving at the property, the student has exactly 48 hours to verify that the space corresponds to the photos, description and amenities in the ad.
- Full Refund Procedure: If the property presents major discrepancies or unsuitable living conditions, the student can submit an official Cancel rental form within 48 hours. In this validated case, the platform fully refunds the first month's rent and the protection fee.
- Relocation Assistance: In the event that a landlord unexpectedly cancels a confirmed reservation, the platform offers dedicated support and lists alternative options directly in messaging to ensure immediate accommodation for the student.

Administrative Utility for Visa and Residence (Proof of Housing)
In addition to financial security, using this platform solves a critical bureaucratic step required by the Estonian authorities:

- Official Accommodation Document: The official confirmation of the reservation issued by HousingAnywhere is legally accepted as Proof of Housing (Proof of Housing).

- D-Visa and TRP Application: Non-EU students can use this printed document at the Estonian embassy to prove that they have a stable place to live, a mandatory requirement for obtaining the long-stay D-Visa or the Temporary Residence Permit for Studies (TRP) administered by the PPA (Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet)

- Verified Landlords: The platform requires rigorous verification of the identity of the owners. This guarantees that they legally own the properties and will give their written consent for the subsequent registration of the student’s address in the Population Register (Rahvastikuregister).

Fee Structure for Students

- Tenant Protection Fee: To facilitate the secure transaction and activate the insurance, the platform charges a one-time administrative fee, representing a percentage of 25% - 40% of the first month's rent.
- Payment Time: This fee is automatically processed only when the owner officially accepts the student's reservation request. If the request is rejected or expires within 48 hours, no amount is charged. The fee is generally non-refundable, except in cases where the owner violates the contractual clauses or cancels the reservation.