COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Estonia (20 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Estonian citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter Estonia from any country provided that they have received their vaccination against COVID-19 within the 12 months prior to travel to Estonia.

• Citizens and residents of the EU Member States and Schengen Associated countries, the UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican, and their family members are allowed to enter Estonia without restrictions, provided they do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms and the incidence rate of COVID-19 in their country of origin does not exceed 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days. Estonia's list of high-risk countries is available here.

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign travellers from third countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Schengen area are permitted to enter Estonia only if they are arriving from countries recommended by the Council of the European Union. The list of countries is regularly updated and can be accessed here.

• Unvaccinated foreign travellers arriving from high-risk countries outside the European Union and who are travelling to Estonia for work, study, stay with their families, or based on a special permit can enter Estonia if they take a COVID-19 PCR test up to 72 hours before entering the country or, a rapid antigen test up to 48 hours before entering the country, and present a certificate confirming a negative result. This requirement does not apply if the individual has completed a vaccination programme and can present a certificate as proof.

• Exemptions apply for people transporting goods and raw materials, people involved in international freight or passenger transport, people performing technical tasks for companies based in Estonia, providers of healthcare services, diplomats, people arriving for the purpose of international military cooperation, and people with special entry permission. More information detailing the exemptions from the travel restrictions to Estonia can be found here.

• Travellers will be allowed to visit Estonia for up to 24 hours without the obligation to self-isolate if they meet one of the following conditions: The travellers have a certificate for a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before arrival or for an antigen RDT test performed within 24 hours before arrival. Persons who have recovered from COVID-19, have been vaccinated, or are considered immune do not need to be tested. Children under the age of 12 also do not need to be tested.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Foreign nationals transiting through Estonia to reach their home country can do so provided they do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• No test is required on arrival. However, travellers seeking to shorten the 10-day self-isolation period may take a second PCR test no earlier than on the sixth day after the first test on arrival or pre-arrival test. The 10-day isolation period can be concluded earlier if both tests are negative.

• Citizens from a third country not included in the list of recommended countries published by the Council of the European Union must take a coronavirus test immediately after arriving in Estonia and a second test no earlier than six days after the first test.

• Citizens arriving from the EU countries where the infection rate is in the range of 75-200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days without a test certificate, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery must take a COVID-19 test immediately after arriving in Estonia. However, travellers with valid certificates as mentioned above are exempted from tests on arrival. More information can be found here.

• The requirement for tests on arrival is not applicable for arrivals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last 12 months or have recovered in the last six months and have been declared healthy by a doctor.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from high-risk countries, and seeking exemption from the mandatory 10-day self-isolation after arriving in Estonia, must have a PCR test performed up to 72 hours before arrival. A person is released from the 10-day isolation obligation subject to testing negative on the pre-departure PCR test and a second test is undertaken no earlier than 6 days after the first test. An updated list of high-risk countries is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every Friday and comes into force on Monday of the following week.

• All nationals of third countries not included in the ECDC-recommended green list are allowed to enter Estonia only if they have taken a PCR test for the coronavirus up to 72 hours before entering the country or, a rapid antigen test up to 48 hours before entering the country, and present a certificate confirming a negative test result. The test is not compulsory for Estonian nationals, permanent residents and European Union nationals.

• Travellers arriving from the EU countries where the infection rate is in the range of 75-200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days must present a negative PCR test certificate up to 72 hours before entering the country. More information can be found here.

• Unvaccinated children aged 12 to 18 years are allowed to enter Estonia from third countries only if they are accompanied by vaccinated persons and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test up to 72 hours or an antigen test up to 48 hours prior to arrival in Estonia.

• Children under the age of 12 are exempted from testing requirements.

• The testing requirement does not apply to persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last 12 months or have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months and have been declared healthy by a doctor. Further information on exemptions from restrictions can be found here.

• Travellers who have been vaccinated while abroad can prove their vaccination by presenting an immunization passport, its copy, or a relevant certificate. The proof can also be an officially certified printout from a database of another country.

• Travellers will be allowed to visit Estonia for up to 24 hours without the obligation to self-isolate if they meet one of the following conditions: The travellers have a certificate for a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before arrival or for an antigen RDT test performed within 24 hours before arrival. Persons who have recovered from COVID-19, have been vaccinated, or are considered immune do not need to be tested. Children under the age of 12 also do not need to be tested.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from non-EU countries (third countries) that are not recommended by the ECDC or countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area, the Schengen area with an infection rate higher than 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days are subject to mandatory 10-day isolation double testing procedure. Estonia's list of high-risk countries is available here. The obligation to self-isolate is not applied if the corresponding number is less than 150. More information can be found here.

• Travellers arriving from third countries recommended by the ECDC with an infection rate higher than 75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days are subject to mandatory 10-day isolation. The list of ECDC recommended third countries can be found here.

• Travellers arriving from the EU countries where the infection rate is higher than 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days are subject to mandatory 10-day isolation. The self-isolation period can be shortened with a double testing procedure. More information can be found here.

• The self-isolation period can be shortened with a double testing procedure. Travellers can take a PCR test abroad no earlier than 72 hours before their arrival in Estonia. While in Estonia, a second test can be taken no earlier than on the sixth day after the first test. The 10-day restrictions on movement period can be concluded earlier if both tests are negative. Anyone who has not taken a test up to 72 hours before their arrival in Estonia can take one immediately after their arrival and the second test no earlier than six days after their first test. The 10-day restrictions on movement period can be concluded earlier if both tests are negative.

• The 10-day isolation requirement does not apply to persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last 12 months, or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six (6) months and have been declared healthy by a doctor. An immunization passport, a copy of an immunization passport, or a vaccination certificate is accepted as proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 for individuals who received vaccination in any other country. The officially certified printout from another country’s digital health system will also be accepted. More information regarding exemptions from quarantine can be found here.

• Children under the age of 12 are exempted from the self-isolation requirement.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to spend up to 10 days in quarantine, depending on their origin of travel.

Entry Form Required?

• Yes, with exceptions.

• All passengers arriving in Estonia must submit a travel questionnaire within 72 hours prior to arrival in Estonia. This can be completed up to three days before arrival. Travellers who have already had COVID-19 or who have been vaccinated or any other individuals who are not subject to entry restrictions are not required to submit the declaration if they are able to provide proof of the grounds for their exemption.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• HOIA is the recommended contact tracing app available in Estonia. Its use is optional.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for entry into the country. However, proof of vaccination, in some cases, may allow travellers some exemptions from entry, testing, and quarantine requirements.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Airports are open in Estonia. Commercial international flights are operating.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Border crossing restrictions remain at the Estonian-Russian border.

• Cruise ship and leisure travel between Tallinn and Stockholm are allowed.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• No curfew restrictions are in place.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing is required in all public places.

• Up to 1000 people can attend indoor events and for outdoor events a maximum of 5000 people are allowed.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• No restrictions are in place.

• Public transportation is operational.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential shops have reopened and are operating at a reduced capacity.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining with adherence to health protocols.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars, cafes, and other catering establishments are open for indoor and outdoor dining with adherence to health protocols.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open with occupancy limits.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Indoor places of worship are allowed to provide service with occupancy limits and adherence to health protocols.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Public meetings and events including indoor events are permitted with occupancy limits.

• Participants have to take a rapid antigen test up to 48 hours or a PCR test up to 72 hours before the start of the event or use the option of a rapid antigen test on-site.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face coverings are mandatory in public transport and enclosed spaces.

Other restrictions

• Schools, kindergartens, and daycares are permitted to reopen for in-person learning.

• Cinemas and theatres have reopened with occupancy limits.

• Saunas, spas, water parks and pools are open with occupancy limits and adherence to health protocols.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.