Estonia

Civil unrest is generally not a problem.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

More information:

• Demonstrations

Street crime includes:

• bag snatching
• pickpocketing
• mugging
• petty theft

Airports, train stations, parks, routes to major hotels and the Old Town in Tallinn are popular locations for pickpockets.

Pickpockets often work together in small groups. Keep a close eye on your belongings.

Credit card fraud happens in tourist areas. Locations include shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. 

Internet crimes have been reported. These include online dating and scams involving money.

Be wary of online contact from people you don't know. Don't send money until you've checked who you're sending it to.

Cyber security 

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

Estonia can experience natural disasters or severe weather across the country, including:

• extremely cold winters
• heavy snowfalls

These affect major metropolitan areas.

Flooding may happen in spring, from March to May.

Winter weather can severely delay transport and temporarily shut down services and roads.

Be particularly careful when walking outside in winter. Consider carrying and wearing ice grips for shoes where necessary, even in urban areas. Don't venture onto frozen bodies of water (lakes, rivers, the sea) without following the advice of local authorities. Serious accidents can occur.

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is present. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

Insect-borne diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases are a risk in forested areas.

Ticks are common from March to November.

To protect yourself from disease:

• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

During and after visiting forested areas:

• check yourself for ticks
• remove any ticks as soon as possible
• ensure you remove the whole tick
• check the tick site for infection
• seek medical advice if required

Other health risks  

Estonian forest areas may be the home of dangerous animals, including bears and wolves. While encounters are very uncommon, situational awareness is necessary.

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities at the main hospitals in Tallinn and Tartu are good. Facilities may be more limited in rural areas.

Some doctors and hospitals may request up-front payment before they treat you.

You may need to be evacuated if you become seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and jail, even for possessing small amounts.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Same-sex relationships are legal and same-sex marriages are recognised by Estonian law. Attitudes towards same-sex relationships can be conservative.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Estonia recognises dual nationality in some situations.

If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport.

Dual-national males may have to do military service if they have a permanent address in Estonia. If you're unsure of your obligation, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Estonia.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Visas

Estonia is part of the Schengen Area, meaning you can enter Estonia without a visa in some cases.

In other situations, you'll need to get a visa.

When you first enter the Schengen Area, get an entry stamp from border control staff on your passport.

Always carry your passport, even within the Schengen area.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border with Russia

Border crossings between Estonia and Russia can close at short notice. Check with Estonia's 'Go Swift' website before crossing. There may be lengthy delays and private cars bearing Russian number plates are banned from entering Estonia. We continue to advise do not travel to Russia.

You'll need to comply with all Estonian border rules and requirements. Check the Estonia Police and Border Guard Board for more information. Australians with dual Russian or Belarusian nationality may also face lengthy delays or be denied entry. 

Be particularly careful in border areas with Russia when travelling in Eastern Estonia. Always be fully aware of where you are, and don't, under any circumstances, approach the border zone.

More information: 

• Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Government of Estonia
• Estonia Police and Border Guard Board
• Travel advice for Russia

The new European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. 

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the new system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Estonia's currency is the euro.

You must declare currency of 10,000 euro or more, or the equivalent if you're travelling between Estonia and any non-European Union country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you don't declare your currency, authorities will fine you.

You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Pedestrians

By law, pedestrians must wear reflectors at night. If you don't, you can be fined.

Driving permit

You must have a valid Australian driver's licence to drive in Estonia (digital driver’s licences may not be accepted).

You may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire a vehicle. Ask the car rental company when you book.

Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous because of snow, road ice, and hazardous weather.

There are some road rules that you might not know:

• headlights must always be on.
• winter tyres must be fitted from 1 December to 1 March – dates may vary depending on weather conditions.

More information:

• Estonian Border Guard website
• Estonia-Russia border crossing
• Driving or riding

Taxis

Official taxis have a meter with rates clearly displayed. A receipt must be given. Don't use illegal taxis.

Don't share a taxi with passengers you don't know.

Rideshare services are also available.

Air travel

Check Estonia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

There's an Australian Consulate in Tallinn. The office provides limited consular assistance. It doesn't offer visa and immigration services or notarial services, or issue passports.

Australian Consulate in Tallinn

Ehitajate tee 5
Mustamäe, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

Telephone: +372 51975081
Email: kevin.parnell@taltech.ee

Contact the Consulate before visiting to confirm availability.

For full consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Sweden.

Australian Embassy, Stockholm

Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm, Sweden

Box 824
SE-101 36
Stockholm, Sweden

Telephone: +46 8 613 2900
Email: stockholm.reception@dfat.gov.au
Website: sweden.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Sweden
X: AusAmbSE

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures. All visitors to the Embassy require an appointment.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia