Estonia

Civil unrest is generally not a problem in Estonia.

However, during public protests and events that draw large groups of people, you should monitor local media for updates. If you're in an area affected by protests, follow the advice of local authorities.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

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.

Drink spiking happens in bars and casinos. Don't leave drinks unattended.

Car theft is common, especially in Tallinn. Use secure and well-lit carparks. Don't leave valuables in vehicles.

Credit card fraud happens in tourist areas. Locations include shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Keep an eye on your credit card at all times.

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.

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Estonia, they can still happen.

There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have staged attacks in European cities.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

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.

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

Flooding may happen in spring, from March to May.

If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:

• monitor the media and local sources for updates

• follow the advice of local authorities

If despite our advice you choose to travel, get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers

• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up

• ask if your travel plans may affect your health

• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice

• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Estonia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is

• how much you'll take

• that it's for personal use only

More information:

• Medicine

COVID-19

Estonia has confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

The Estonian Health Board advises anyone who thinks they have symptoms of COVID-19 to seek advice by calling either 1220 or +372 634 6630 (you can also call from abroad). You can also contact the Health Board via e-mail: kesk@terviseamet.ee

If acute symptoms appear, call 112 immediately for an ambulance. 

More information:

• Coronavirus disease COVID-19 (Estonian Health Board)
• COVID-19 (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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 in spring, 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

Other health risks    

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases can occur. These include hepatitis and rabies.

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

Water contamination may be a problem in rural areas.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids

• avoid ice cubes

• don't eat uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If an animal bites or scratches you, get medical help straight away.

Get medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Medical facilities at the main hospitals in Tallinn and in Tartu are good. Facilities may be limited in rural areas, due to a lack of equipment and supplies.

Many doctors and hospitals need up-front payment before they treat you.

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

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

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, but attitudes can be conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI people

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Estonia recognises dual nationality in some situations.

If you're a dual citizen, 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 not sure of your obligation, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Estonia.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visa conditions

Estonia is part of the Schengen area and is not permitting entry to non-Estonians at this time unless they have right of residence, an Estonian family member living in Estonia or need to transit through Estonia to reach their final destination.  

*The below advice pre-dates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians*

Check the Schengen Convention before you leave Australia. 

Get an entry stamp in your passport from border control staff when you first enter 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.

COVID-19

Estonia has declared COVID-19 an emergency situation. From 17 March, all travel to Estonia is restricted for non-Estonian citizens. Only Estonian citizens, permanent residents, or foreign citizens with a family member residing in Estonia can enter the country. Anyone arriving in Estonia (except for specific diplomatic and military personnel) will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Non-citizens who need to transit through Estonia to reach their final destination may be permitted entry if they are not displaying symptoms of COVID-19. Updates can be found on the Estonian Government’s Emergency Situation webpage.

Cruise ships will not be able to dock at Estonian ports until 1 May and travel by ferry, including to Sweden and Finland has been halted.  Land borders with Russia have been closed.

All education institutions, cinemas, theatres, restaurants and many shops closed and all public gatherings of more than two people are banned.

If you’re in Estonia and wish to leave, be aware commercial options may become increasingly limited. You may find information on flight availability at the Tallinn Airport website; however, scheduled flights may be cancelled at short notice. 

If you can’t or don’t want to leave, you should follow the advice of local authorities; take care to minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19; stay in touch with family and friends so they know you are safe; and ensure you have suitable accommodation arrangements in place. 

*The below advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians*

To enter Estonia, you must have valid travel and health insurance that covers you for the equivalent of 30,000 euros during your stay.

If can't prove you have adequate insurance, immigration authorities might deny you entry.

More information:

• Travel insurance

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport isn't valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government doesn't set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Estonia's currency is the Euro.

You must declare currency of 10,000 euros 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.

Travel to and from Saaremaa and Muhu islands is restricted.  Check the Estonian Government’s Emergency Situation webpage for updates.

Always carry your passport, even within the Schengen area.

Check local media and ask your transport company about border conditions.

Pedestrians

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

You can buy cheap reflectors at most supermarkets and small shops.

Driving permit

You must have a valid Australian driver's licence to drive in Estonia.

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, ice on roads 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.

There's zero tolerance for drink driving. If you have a blood alcohol reading over 0%, penalties include heavy fines and jail.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Official taxis are marked and have a clear meter. Don't use illegal taxis.

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

Rideshare services are also available.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

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 or go to the hospital.

Police

Call 112 or go to the local police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

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

Australia has a consulate in Estonia, headed by an Honorary Consul.

The Consulate provides limited consular assistance. It doesn't offer visa and immigration services or notarial services, or issue passports.

Australian Consulate, Tallinn

c/- Standard Ltd

Marja 9

EE10617 Tallinn Estonia

Phone: (+372) 6 509 308

Fax: (+372) 6 509 344

Email: mati@standard.ee

Twitter: @AusAmbEE

The Australian Embassy in Sweden offers full consular help.

Australian Embassy, Stockholm

Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor

111 64 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone: +46 0 8 613 2900

Email: stockholm.reception@dfat.gov.au

Website: sweden.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: Australian Embassy, Sweden

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

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