The Integration Foundation is inviting adult permanent residents who have lived in Estonia for at least five years or who have returned to the country to attend Estonian language courses. Registration will open on 6 January 2026 at 10 a.m. in the self-service environment.

You can study at beginner levels A1 and A2, and at independent user levels B1.1 and B1.2. Participation in these language courses is free of charge and the lessons are conducted in Estonian. Learning opportunities are available at the Estonian Language Houses in Tallinn and Narva, at language schools across Estonia, as well as online. A total of approximately 1 000 study places will be offered.

The first courses start in January, with some groups also starting in February and March. There are morning, afternoon, and evening groups to choose from, and classes take place 2–4 times a week.

Registration for courses opens on 6 January at 10 a.m. in the self-service environment at 
https://iseteenindus.integratsioon.ee/login.

Registration will remain open as long as there are places available and closes the day before the course starts.

Some courses are in high demand and places fill up quickly. To ensure a smoother registration process and increase your chances of getting a place, we recommend checking that you meet the following conditions:

• you belong to the target group of the courses (permanent resident or a returnee to Estonia);
• you have not previously participated in a course offered by the Integration Foundation at the same language level (you cannot participate in the same level more than once);
• you have selected the level that corresponds to your language skills (you can use the self-assessment scale if you wish);
• you have an ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID and passwords for logging in;
• you have selected filters for the service, language proficiency level, and location (online or city) to simplify navigation in the self-service environment.

Important rules for participating in language courses

• After signing up, you will need to attend the course from start to finish and actively participate in both lessons and independent study.
• Learners can cancel their registration in the self-service portal no later than one day before the start of the course.

We will announce the exact date of the next registration for language courses on our website and on social media at the beginning of July.

Our advisors can answer any specifying questions from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Email: info@integratsiooniinfo.ee

Telephone: +372 659 9025 (charges depend on the service provider and plan of the caller)

Tartu Welcome Centre is launching a Tartu International Residents’ Participation Network for international residents. A small gathering where people from different countries and backgrounds can share ideas, talk about what matters in daily life, and help shape future activities and discussions for our city.

This will be the very first session, where Tartu Welcome Centre co-creates the group itself: the topics, the format, the meeting frequency and how people can get involved in the future.

Event details

• Date: 17 December
• Time: 15:00-18:30
• Location: Tartu Welcome Centre, Ülikooli 17, Tartu
• Working language: English
• Participants: up to 20 international residents (18+) living in Tartu
• Snacks & tea/coffee provided

What to expect

• A warm, welcoming atmosphere
• Small-group conversations
• Co-vision session
• A chance to share your perspective as someone living in Tartu
• Space to highlight what works well and what could be improved
• Co-creating a clear structure for next year’s participation meetings
• You don’t need any prior knowledge or preparation

Why join?

• Your experience matters.
• You can influence how the city understands and supports its international residents.
• You help decide the topics for 2026 discussions.
• You help improve the conditions for future newcomers – for people who will arrive after you and who face similar questions, needs and situations.
• You meet others who care about community, belonging, and making Tartu more inclusive.

Registration

• Please fill in the short form below by 11 December 2025.
• We ask a few simple questions to understand who is joining. Filling it up should not take more than 10 minutes.
• If more than 20 people register, we may need to make a selection or run a lottery. In that case, the additional questions help us make fair choices.
• Everyone will receive a follow-up email by 12 December 2025 with confirmation about registration.

Register here: https://forms.gle/3h89jKdnxZd2TJnk6

Feel free to share! 

If you know someone who lives in Tartu, speaks English and would be a great fit for this discussion, please feel free to forward this invitation to them. The group will benefit from diverse voices and experiences.

Questions?

Feel free to reach out: janika.hango@tartu.ee

This is your chance to help shape something meaningful from the very beginning. Your voice, your experiences, and your perspective can genuinely influence how Tartu supports its international residents.

We hope to see you there!

Partners of the Integration Foundation work hard every day to ensure that newly arrived immigrants living in Estonia receive the support they need and feel at home here. In this series of stories, we give them a voice to talk about the joys, challenges, and lessons learned in their work.

The end of the year is the right time to take a moment to reflect on the journey you have recently embarked upon. Many of you have taken your first steps in a new country this year: learning the language, discovering Estonian customs, making new friends, or gaining a better understanding of everyday life in your new homeland. I know that such a journey requires courage, patience, and an open mind. This is why I would like to first say: thank you for your efforts, interest, and trust.

2025 was also a year of significant developments for the Integration Foundation. Our goal is to provide you with clear and comprehensive support so that settling in Estonia is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Thousands of newly arrived immigrants participated in the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme during the year. Both mandatory and voluntary training courses provided insight into how the Estonian state functions and information about your rights, opportunities, and services available to you when you need them. Many of you have shared that the knowledge gained during these training sessions helped you feel more confident during your first months here – we are delighted to receive such feedback.

Language learning is equally important. This year, we opened hundreds of A1, A2, and B1 level language learning groups across Estonia and offered opportunities to study both online and on-site. Learning Estonian creates opportunities to work in your field, feel more confident in everyday situations, and participate more actively in community life. In cooperation with the excellent partner organisations of the Integration Foundation, language cafés, the Language Friends programme, and cultural activities continued, providing opportunities to practice the language in a safe environment. Studies show that those who make contact with the locals and have the courage to speak Estonian every day, even if only a little, make the best progress in adapting. That is why we support these opportunities at every turn.
I would like to thank all of you who have shared your questions and suggestions. Your insights and feedback help us improve the programme so it can support you even more. Adaptation is not just something that happens in the classroom – it is shaped by your everyday conversations, incremental progress, and every new discovery you make about Estonia.
As the year draws to a close, I wish you a peaceful holiday season and joyful encounters in 2026.

Our door is always open if you need advice and if you wish to continue your language studies, join our training courses. Together, step by step, we are creating conditions where everyone can feel welcome and cared for in Estonia.

Thank you for being with us!

The greeting appeared in the Settle in Estonia newsletter, which is created for new migrants to provide support during the adaptation process and help them feel at home in Estonia more quickly.
The newsletter helps make adaptation easier and keeps readers informed about important information needed for everyday life in Estonia. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.

Did you know that many Estonian Christmas traditions are part of a much broader cultural heritage? Just as people from many different countries have come together in Estonia, the Christmas traditions here are also a kind of mosaic, combining local customs, international influences, and a shared desire to find a little light and warmth during the darkest time of the year.

Päkapikud (elves) – short creatures, long traditions

Children in Estonia know that from the beginning of December, elves will start appearing on windowsills – tiny helpers of Father Christmas who put little gifts or treats inside Christmas stockings.

Elves are also found in many other cultures: the Finns have tonttu, in Germany, Christmas elves are called Weihnachtswichtel, but in France they are called Père Fouettard, helpers of Père Noël.

In Estonia, päkapikud are a symbol of the entire month of December – they are mysterious, playful, and joyful characters who bring joy to children until the start of Christmas on 24 December.

Songs that resonate across borders

In December, Christmas music can be heard in many Estonian homes and churches, some of which you may already be familiar with – just in a different language. For example, the song ‘Püha öö’ (‘Silent Night’ in English) was written in Austria in 1818 and has become one of the most sung and recorded Christmas songs in the world. However, the popular Christmas song ‘Jõulud on käes’ actually originates from Ukraine, where it is called ‘Shchedryk’ – known worldwide as ‘Carol of the Bells’.

Estonian Christmas music is an exciting mix of local compositions and world-famous folk songs – French, English, German, Russian, American, and many other cultures have found a place in the hearts of the Estonian audience.

If you are looking for songs to sing or listen to with your family during Christmas in Estonia, you may want to start with the following songs:

●        ‘Tiliseb, tiliseb aisakell’ (‘Jingle Bells’ in English)

●        ‘Oh kuusepuu’ (‘O Tannenbaum’ in German)

●        ‘Me soovime rõõmsaid jõule’ (‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ in English)

Cookies that connect generations

An important part of Estonian Christmas culture is piparkoogid (gingerbread cookies) – spicy, lovely brown cookies that are cut into different shapes. Gingerbread cookies can be stars, hearts, animals, or Christmas trees. Making them and then decorating them with icing is fun for both children and adults alike.

But did you know that Christmas cookies are an important tradition in many other countries as well? In Germany, they are called Lebkuchen, in Sweden pepparkakor, and in the United States gingerbread. If you want to try classic recipes from Estonia and elsewhere, take a look at the recommendations in the cookie selection of Nami-Nami, for example.

‘Häid pühi!’

In Estonia, it is customary to exchange brief but heartfelt good wishes during the Christmas season. The most common Christmas greeting is ‘Häid pühi!’ (Happy Holidays!), which is used in both written and spoken communication – this universal greeting covers Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the holiday season in general.

If you want to emphasise Christmas, you can also say ‘Häid jõule’ (Merry Christmas!), ‘Kauneid jõule’ (Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!) or ‘Rahulikku jõuluaega!’ (Wishing you a peaceful Christmas!). Around the turn of the year, greetings such as ‘Head vana aasta lõppu!’ (Wishing you a lovely end of the year!) and ‘Head uut aastat!’ (Happy New Year!) are added.

Estonians tend to be modest but sincere in their verbal communication, Christmas cards, and social media posts. When it comes to wishes, it is the tone and the moment that matter most, not the length or formality. A brief ‘Happy holidays!’ accompanied by a smile is often more meaningful than a hastily purchased gift.

Recommendations:

●        Try to recall a Christmas carol in your native language and find its Estonian equivalent.

●        Give someone a homemade gingerbread cookie.

●        Learn a new Estonian holiday greeting and say it to an Estonian acquaintance.

Happy holidays!

May the holiday season be filled with all the activities and experiences you desire!

With the support of the Integration Foundation and in cooperation with the NGO Estonian Refugee Council (Pagulasabi), a day dedicated to learning about Christmas traditions and everyday life in Estonia will take place on 11 December. The event offers newcomers and beneficiaries of international protection in the region an opportunity to discover local customs and strengthen their coping skills. The programme includes a visit to Swedbank’s interactive financial literacy centre, a marzipan workshop at Café Maiasmokk, and a guided Christmas tour of Tallinn’s Old Town with mulled wine. The event helps participants better understand both Estonian culture and practical everyday skills – which is precisely why the Integration Foundation organises such activities, supporting people’s adaptation and active participation in Estonian society. This event is part of the project “Cooperation activities to increase the social participation of third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection”, co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF.1.02.23-0005).