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Country Specific Info.
The United States State Department produces Consular Information Sheets with health, safety and other country information for every country in the world. They are one good source of information, though you should look at multiple sources of information and take your own personal situation into account when selecting a country to study in.
The latest Consular Information Sheet for Estonia is below. We do not take responsibility for this information or edit it in any way.
You can access the State Department travel site directly at: https://travel.state.gov/travel/
August 2, 2019
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy Tallinn
Kentmanni 20
15099 Tallinn
Estonia
Telephone: +(372) 668-8128
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(372) 668-8100
Fax: +(372) 668-8267
Email: ACSTallinn@state.gov
Destination Description
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Estonia for information on U.S. - Estonian relations.
Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements
Estonia is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Visit the Embassy of Estonia website for the most current visa information.
Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.
If you plan to stay in Estonia more than 90 days, you may apply for a longer term visa from the Consulate General of Estonia in New York (telephone 212 883 0636). In some instances you may apply for a residency permit as a student once in Estonia. You can find information on residency permits by visiting the Police & Border Guard’s website and clicking on “Services.”
You may also obtain additional information about Estonia from the Embassy of Estonia in Washington, DC (telephone 202-588-0101).
HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Estonia.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.
Safety and Security
The current Department of State Travel Advisory assesses Estonia at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions when coming to the country. There is minimal risk from terrorism in Tallinn. There are no known homegrown terrorist organizations in Estonia, which is not a known base of support/sympathy for terrorists.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.
Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Estonia on rare occasions in response to world events or local developments. While these demonstrations are generally peaceful, we remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. U.S. citizens should exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Information regarding demonstrations in Estonia can be found on the U.S. Embassy Estonia website.
In Estonia, everyone is required by law to wear small reflectors on clothing when it is dark outside. Fines for refusing to wear the reflectors range from $50 to $500 USD. Falling large icicles from buildings, in addition to slippery roads and sidewalks, can be a potentially deadly problem in the winter and spring.
Crime: There is minimal risk from crime in Estonia. Pickpocketing, theft, and petty crime do occur, particularly in crowded areas and areas where tourists and foreigners congregate. Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims; one method involves bumping the victim in an effort to draw their attention to one individual, while another takes their wallet. Victims should report the crime to the police and cancel their credit cards as soon as possible. The majority of incidents affecting U.S. citizens involve individuals who are alone and/or intoxicated at night. Visitors who consume alcohol should exercise moderation and designate a sober member of the group to be in charge of security awareness. Statistics indicate incidents against individuals based on race, religion, or sexual orientation/gender identity are limited; however the Embassy has received reports of U.S. citizens being harassed due to their race
A limited number of U.S. citizens have reported grossly inflated credit card charges in bars.
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 112, and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(372) 668-8128. For social welfare emergencies, such as domestic violence or child abuse, dial 112 (English-speaking operators are available). Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
help you find appropriate medical care
assist you in reporting a crime to the police
contact relatives or friends with your written consent
explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
provide a list of local attorneys
provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
assist you with a list of non-governmental organizations and centers providing a number of programs for victims of crime in Estonia. Please see our website for more information.
provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
replace a stolen or lost passport
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line for police, ambulance, or fire in Estonia is 112. Many, but not all, operators speak English.
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the embassy for assistance.
For further information:
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, and Travel Advisories.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice has more information on this serious problem.
Local Laws & Special Circumstances
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested, you should ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. In Estonia, the legal system takes a zero tolerance approach, and even one drink can lead to a DUI arrest.
Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.
Special Circumstances: Estonia is part of the Eurozone and only euros are accepted.
Bank and currency exchange counters may refuse to accept U.S. currency that is crumpled, torn, discolored, or defaced.
ATMs are widely available in Tallinn and in major towns.
Contact the Embassy of Estonia in Washington for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:
Faith-Based Travel Information
International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
Human Rights Report – see country reports
Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad
LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Estonia. Estonian law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, and the government generally respects these prohibitions. While the law is not specific regarding the forms of sexual orientation and gender identity covered, in practice all are understood to be included.
LGBTI travelers should consider exercising caution when visiting Estonia, especially when expressing affection in public, as local advocacy groups report incidents of verbal or physical assault based on perceived LGBTI identity.
See the English-language website of the Estonian visitor’s bureau for specific information regarding the LGBTI community in Estonia.
See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Estonian law requires that most new public buildings and others with community space (e.g., shopping centers) be accessible for persons with disabilities. However, many older buildings are not required to meet these requirements. In general, public transport is not accommodating to people with mobility disabilities, although select Tallinn public buses, trams, and trolleys are specially equipped to assist persons in wheelchairs.
The English-language website of the Estonian visitor’s bureau contains general information for disabled visitors, with specific information for visually-impaired travelers and those using wheelchairs. In addition, general accessibility information for hotels and other accommodations in Estonia is available.
An Estonian advocacy group for the disabled, Freedom of Movement (Liikumisvabadus), has a site that provides specific accessibility ratings for hundreds of businesses and public buildings in Estonia, as well as other useful information.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Health
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.
Medical care in Estonia falls short of Western standards outside the larger cities such as Tallinn, Tartu, and Pärnu. Many medical professionals in Estonia are highly-trained, but some hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources. Many doctors speak at least some English.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. See the Embassy of Estonia website for proof of health insurance requirements.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Lyme disease
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme-disease are widespread throughout the country. Use CDC recommended insect repellents containing either 20% DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to help diminish bites from ticks and other insects if you intend to visit parks or forested areas (even within parks in Tallinn). Those who will be camping or have prolonged outdoor exposure should pretreat clothing and equipment with permethrin.
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations are given as a series of three doses and are not available in the United States. The vaccine is recommended for those who will be living in Estonia or those with shorter visits with extensive outdoor activities in wooded areas.
There are no vaccines against Lyme disease.
For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Like much of Europe, outbreaks of measles are frequent in Estonia and travelers should have two documented doses of MMR vaccine prior to traveling.
Further health information:
World Health Organization
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Travel and Transportation
Road Conditions and Safety: If you plan to drive in Estonia, you must have both your valid U.S. driver’s license and a valid International Driving Permit (IDP), which you can obtain from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance before departing the United States.
Other international driving permits are not recognized by Estonian authorities.
If you obtain an Estonian residence permit, you must obtain an Estonian driver’s license.
Contact the Estonian Road Administration authority (ARK) for information on obtaining an Estonian driver’s license.
Traffic Laws: Driving while intoxicated is a very serious offense and carries heavy penalties.
You must use your headlights at all times.
The use of seatbelts, both front and rear, is mandatory in Estonia, as are car seats for infants.
Talking on cell phones while driving is prohibited, except when using a hands-free system.
It is illegal to turn right on a red light.
Do not attempt to move the vehicle to the side of the road until the police reach the scene if you are in an accident. The Eesti Autoklubi (Estonian Auto Club), which is affiliated with AAA, provides emergency roadside assistance. You do not need to be a member to receive assistance, although fees are lower for members. To request roadside assistance or towing service, dial 1888.
Public Transportation: Public transportation is generally considered safe, but travelers are encouraged to select well-marked taxis.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Estonia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Estonia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Estonia should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website (select “broadcast warnings”).
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