Estonia: Travel Health Information | IAMAT
Estonia: Travel Health Information
Estonia is known for its diverse natural landscapes and its medieval capital city, Tallinn. Travellers can explore the country’s many manor houses, churches, castles and museums. There are also plenty of outdoor attractions, including the mine-turned-outdoor adventure parks in Ida-Viru and the beaches, coastline, and bogs of the country’s 1,500 islands.
The standards for patient care and medical services in Estonia may differ from your home country. Estonia has a centralized, public healthcare system and a private sector. Healthcare in major cities meets international standards but may be inadequate throughout the rest of the country. The country also has a shortage of healthcare professionals, leading to long wait times for care
In the event of a medical emergency, contact your travel health insurance company immediately. Hospitals in Estonia require upfront payment, regardless if you have travel health insurance. Ensure that you have accessible funds to cover upfront fees and adequate travel health insurance. Before you depart, check with your insurer about the extent of their coverage in Estonia.
Pharmacies are widely available in Tallinn and other urban areas, but access may be limited in rural regions. Prescriptions for medicines must be obtained by a local doctor, and over-the-counter medicines cannot be purchased outside of pharmacies.
If you are travelling with medication, check with Estonia’s embassy, consulate, or Ministry of Health for details on medication allowances and restrictions. If your medication is a psychotropic or narcotic, you can review Estonia’s regulations on the International Narcotics Control Board. Note that these sources may provide incomplete or out-of-date information.
Roads in Tallinn and other urban areas are generally well maintained but road conditions can vary by region. Roads in rural regions may be unlit at night. Wandering wildlife and weather conditions in winter and spring can also pose a risk to drivers. Drivers and passengers in vehicles must wear a seat belt at all times. Helmets are required for motorcycle drivers and passengers and are recommended for cyclists.
Government of Canada. Travel Advice and Advisories: Estonia. Government of Canada. (2019).
Triin Habicht, Marge Reinap, Kaija Kasekamp, Riina Sikkut, Laura Aaben, Ewout Van Ginneken. Health System in Transition: Estonia. European Observatory. (2018).