About Estonia

Estonia at a Glance

• Official name: Republic of Estonia
• Capital city: Tallinn
• Official language: Estonian
• Total area: 45 339 sq. km
• Population: 1.36 million
• Time zone: GMT +2 in winter, GMT +3 in summer
• Currency: Euro (€)

Fascinating facts about Estonia:

• Over half of Estonian territory is forested.
• No point in Estonia is more than 10 kilometers from a bog.
• Estonia has one of the lowest population densities in Europe.
• There are 2317 islands in Estonia.
• 99% of public services are available online 24 hours a day.
• Estonian air is the second-cleanest in Europe.
• Wise, GrabCAD, Fortumo, Pipedrive, Starship Technologies, and Skype started changing the world right here.
• Estonia was the first country in the world to offer e-residency and fully embrace e-voting.

Weather and climate

The weather in Estonia varies by season.

The average summer temperature is fairly mild, varying between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius but can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. Summer in Estonia tends to be very light, with 19 hours of daylight known locally as “white nights”. Spring and autumn see frequent light rain, so bring an umbrella and a waterproof jacket. In winter, the rain turns to snow, and the temperature drops below zero, so wrap up warm.

Local forecast can be found here.

Safety

Estonia is a safe country with low crime rates. As in any country, you should look after your belongings and be aware of pickpocketing in busy urban areas. Due to poor visibility on high-traffic roads across the country, pedestrians are required by law to wear reflectors. Reflectors come in many attractive designs and can be purchased for a few euros in supermarkets and souvenir shops.

Tap water is safe to drink all across the country.

Medical information

It is advisable to purchase travel insurance before a trip. Residents of Europe should check if their healthcare provider has a contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. If so, you should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving. The EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles EU citizens to state-provided medical treatment on the same terms as Estonian nationals.

The emergency number in Estonia is 112.

Visas

Estonia is an EU member country and part of the Schengen area. Please consult the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for a list of countries requiring visas and application details. If you need a Schengen area visa, you can apply at an Estonian embassy in your country of origin. If there isn’t an Estonian embassy or consulate in your country, you can apply at the office of an EU member state representing Estonia for issuing visas.