Planning a conference, business event or incentive trip in Estonia? Here is essential practical information about Estonia, including language, currency, visa requirements, transport, electricity and how to get to Tallinn.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Estonia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU and EEA countries do not need a visa to enter Estonia. Many other nationalities can also visit Estonia visa-free for short stays, while travellers from some countries require a Schengen visa.
As entry requirements depend on nationality and may change, international conference and event delegates are advised to check the latest information before travelling. For current visa and entry requirements, visit the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Population
Estonia has a population of approximately 1.36 million people, making it one of the least populated countries in the European Union.
Language
The official language of Estonia is Estonian, which belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family and is closely related to Finnish. English is widely spoken. Finnish and Russian are also commonly understood.
Time Zone
Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone:
- Winter: EET (UTC/GMT +2)
- Summer: EEST (UTC/GMT +3)
Daylight saving time is observed from late March until late October.
Currency & Payments
Estonia’s official currency is the euro (€).
Estonia is a highly digital society, and card and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis and other services. Cash is rarely essential, although carrying a small amount can sometimes be useful.
Shopping Hours
Shopping centres and larger stores in Estonia are generally open seven days a week, typically from around 10:00 to 21:00. Some supermarkets and convenience stores stay open later.
National Holidays
Estonia has 12 national and public holidays each year. Most shops, restaurants and tourist attractions remain open on public holidays, although opening hours may be shorter. Banks, government offices and many other offices are generally closed.
The main holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Estonian Independence Day (24 February), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Spring Day (1 May), Pentecost, Victory Day (23 June), Midsummer Day (24 June), Day of Restoration of Independence (20 August), Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).
Midsummer (23–24 June) and Christmas (24–26 December) are particularly important holiday periods in Estonia, and visitors should expect more businesses and services to operate on reduced hours.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory in Estonia. If you are happy with the service in a restaurant or café, a tip of around 10% is appreciated. Many establishments allow tips to be added when paying by card, although this varies, so a small amount of cash can occasionally be useful.
Phone Calls
The international country code for Estonia is +372. To call Estonia from abroad, dial +372 followed by the local number. Estonian telephone numbers do not use regional area codes.
Internet & Wi-Fi
Estonia is known as one of Europe’s most digitally advanced countries. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, conference venues, restaurants, cafés, shopping centres and many public spaces. Mobile internet coverage is also extensive throughout the country.
Electricity
Estonia uses a 230 V, 50 Hz electricity supply. Type C and Type F European plugs with two round pins are used.
Getting to Estonia and Tallinn
Estonia is easily accessible by air, ferry, bus and car, with Tallinn serving as the country’s main international gateway.
Getting to Tallinn by Air
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport is located only around 4 km from Tallinn city centre, making Tallinn one of Europe’s most conveniently connected capitals between airport and city centre. Tallinn has direct flights to numerous European destinations and excellent onward connections through major European hubs. The city centre can be reached easily from Tallinn Airport by tram, bus or taxi. For current routes, flight schedules and airport information, visit Tallinn Airport.
Approximate Flight times to Tallinn
Helsinki 0,5 h
Riga 1 h
Stockholm 1 h
Copenhagen 1,5 h
Moscow 1,5 h
Oslo 1,5 hours
Brussels 2,5 h
Amsterdam 2,5 h
Frankfurt 2,5 h
London 3 h
Paris 3 h
Getting to Tallinn by ferry
Tallinn is particularly easy to reach by sea from Finland. Helsinki is only around 80 km from Tallinn, with frequent ferry services connecting the two capitals throughout the day. The journey takes approximately two hours. Tallinn also has an overnight ferry connection with Stockholm, making sea travel a convenient option for visitors arriving from Sweden.
The main passenger ferry operators serving Tallinn include Tallink Silja Line, Viking Line and Eckerö Line. For current ferry schedules and passenger information, visit the Port of Tallinn.
Tallinn’s passenger terminals are located close to the city centre, with the Old Town and many major hotels within easy reach.
