COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Estonia (14 May Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Estonian citizens and residents are allowed entry.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Most foreign nationals are not allowed to enter Estonia.

• Citizens and residents of the EU Member States and Schengen Associated countries, and their family members, are allowed to enter Estonia without restrictions, provided that they show no COVID-19 symptoms and that 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.

• Travellers from third countries outside the European Union will be allowed entry to Estonia provided that they are arriving from a list of countries recommended by the Council of the European Union. The list of permitted countries is regularly updated and can be found here.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Foreign nationals transiting through Estonia to reach their home country can do so provided they have no 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.

• Arriving travellers from the United Kingdom are subject to test upon arrival if they failed to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate obtained no more than 72 hours before departure.

• 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.

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

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving from high-risk countries, who do not want to stay in self-isolation for 10 days after arriving in Estonia, must have a PCR test performed up to 72 hours before arrival. While staying in Estonia, it is then possible to take a second test no earlier than on day 6 after the first test has taken abroad. A person is released from the 10-day isolation obligation if the results of both tests are negative. An updated list of risk countries is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every Friday and comes into force on Monday of the following week. The list is available here.

• Those who have not taken a PCR test up to 72 hours before arriving in Estonia have the option to take the first test in Estonia immediately after arriving in the country, and the second test no earlier than 6 days after the first test.

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

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Travellers without symptoms arriving from countries where the COVID-19 infection rate is 150 cases or lower per 100,000 people for the previous 14 days before arrival do not need to self-quarantine on entry.

• Travellers arriving from countries with an infection rate higher than 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days are subject to mandatory 10-day isolation or a double testing procedure. Estonia's list of high-risk countries is available here.

• The 10-day isolation requirement does not apply to persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last six months, or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months and who have been declared healthy by a doctor. An immunization passport, a copy of an immunization passport, or vaccination certificate is accepted as proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 for individuals who received vaccination in any other country. The certificate should include personal details of the person affected, analysis methodology, analysis result, the place where the analysis was conducted, the time of the analysis, the name of the institution that conducted the analysis, and the institution details. The certificate can be in Estonian, English, or Russian language and can be done in Latin or Cyrillic alphabet. The officially certified printout from another country’s digital health system will also be accepted.

Entry Form Required?

• Yes

• All passengers arriving in Estonia must submit a customer locator form. This can be done at the port of entry or electronically via the Health Board portal as early as 24 hours before arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

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

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required for entry into the country.

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 ships and leisure travel are banned between Tallinn and Stockholm, Sweden.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• No curfew restrictions are in place.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing is required in all public places.

• The 2+2 rule has been reinstated in place in all indoor and outdoor places including service halls, commercial enterprises including shopping malls. This means no more than two people from different households can be within 2 meters of others when indoors in public spaces.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• No restrictions are in place.

• Public transportation is operating.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Non-essential shops might have reopened with reduced capacity.

Accommodations open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• No, with exceptions

• Restaurants are closed. Only outdoor dining and takeaway services are allowed.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• Bars and cafes are closed. Only takeaway services are allowed.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Indoor museums are closed. Outdoor museums are allowed with limited occupancy and with adherence to social distancing rules.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open. There may be capacity limits.

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Indoor worship places are banned. Outdoor worship places may be permitted in groups of up to 10 people.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Indoor and mass outdoor public events and meetings are prohibited. Outdoor events may be permitted in groups of up to 10 people.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

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

Other Restrictions

• Schools may open for in-person learning for children up through grade 4 as well as grades 9 and 12. Schools and universities are closed for in-person studies for all other age groups. Kindergartens and daycares may also remain open

• All entertainment services, including bowling alleys, children’s playrooms, and nightclubs are closed. Saunas, spas, waterparks, and pools are closed for public use.

• Indoor sports and training are permitted if 2+2 distancing rules are maintained. Outdoor sports and training are permitted for a maximum of 150 participants in groups of up to 10 participants.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.