Who needs the A2 exam
Level A2 is officially required in two cases: for certain jobs and for extending a residence permit for employment. Citizenship and a long-term resident’s residence permit require level B1. Details and links to official sources are below.
What level A2 means
Estonian proficiency levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Harno holds exams at four levels: A2, B1, B2 and C1.
On this scale, levels A1 and A2 belong to the basic user and B1 and B2 to the independent user. The Harno handbooks are named accordingly: “Algaja keelekasutaja” for A2 and “Iseseisev keelekasutaja” for B1 and B2. A2 completes the basic stage; the next step is B1.
At A2, a person understands simple phrases on familiar topics (personal and family information, shopping, home, work), manages simple everyday situations and can briefly describe themselves, their family and living conditions.
Work
Language requirements at work are set by Government Regulation No. 84 of 20.06.2011, “Ametniku, töötaja ning füüsilisest isikust ettevõtja eesti keele oskuse ja kasutamise nõuded”. It requires A2 from:
- employees of government agencies doing technical or support work, such as drivers, stokers, copying machine operators and similar workers;
- locomotive and train drivers;
- watchmen, ticket inspectors, cloakroom attendants, doorkeepers and couriers.
This is the minimum. An employer may require a higher level, but not higher than C1.
The same regulation requires B1 for many jobs, for example service and sales staff who serve customers regularly, public transport drivers and personal care workers.
According to Harno, you do not need to take the exam if you graduated from a basic school, upper secondary school or university where at least 60% of the studies were in Estonian.
Residence permit for employment
According to the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), an Estonian A2 requirement has applied since 15 July 2018. It concerns people who have lived in Estonia for 5 years on a temporary residence permit for employment issued on or after 16.07.2018 and who apply for an extension or a new residence permit for employment.
Check the details on the PPA website or with a migration adviser.
When B1 is required
- Estonian citizenship. You need to pass an exam at level B1 or higher.
- Long-term resident’s residence permit. You need Estonian at level B1 or higher and to have met the integration requirement. According to the PPA, the language requirement does not apply to people under 15, over 65 or with limited active legal capacity, and those who received basic, secondary or higher education in Estonian do not need to take the exam.
- Many jobs under Regulation No. 84, especially work with customers.
If you eventually need B1, preparing for A2 is still useful: A2 vocabulary and grammar are the basis of B1.
Taking the exam
The exam is free, and you register in the EIS system. The format, points and registration are described on a separate page.
Sources
Exam details are taken from Harno materials in September 2026. Rules can change, so check them on the Harno website before your exam.