Estonia

Civil unrest is generally not a problem in Estonia.

However, you should monitor local media for updates during public protests and events that draw large groups of people. 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.

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 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.

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.

Be particularly careful when walking outside in winter. Roads and footpaths can be very slippery and icy, and broken bones are common. Consider carrying and wearing ice grips for shoes where necessary, even in urban areas. These are available in many shops.

In winter, don't venture onto frozen bodies of water (lakes, rivers, the sea) without following (or seeking advice from) local authorities. Serious accidents can occur.

If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:

• monitor the media and local sources for updates
• follow the advice of local authorities

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 thousands of dollars upfront 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.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are 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 medication for your trip.

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

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use only

More information:

• Medication

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.

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.

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

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

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 unsure of your obligation, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Estonia.

More information:

• 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 crossings between Estonia and Russia can close at short notice. Check with Estonianborder before crossing. There can be lengthy delays, and private cars bearing Russian number plates are banned from entering Estonia.

You'll need to comply with all Estonian border rules and requirements. Check the Estonia Police and Border Guard Board for more information. 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. There are some locations where public roads cross Russian territory. Australians with dual Russian or Belarussian citizenship may also face lengthy delays or be denied entry.

More information: 

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

The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area is expected to start in October 2025. 

The EES is a digital border system that registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen Area. When entering the Schengen Area, you'll need to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

You'll need to do this on your first visit to the EU after the EES is introduced.​ If you visit the Schengen Area again 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.

This process should only take a few minutes per person, however you may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Estonia for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.

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.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers 

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.

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 (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

Border crossings between Estonia and Russia can close at short notice. Check with Estonianborder before crossing. Information on border crossing points can be found through the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board web site.

Train services are suspended.

You'll need to comply with all Estonian border rules and requirements. Check the procedures from the Estonia Police and Border Guard Board for more information.

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.

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

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

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.

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