Tallinn Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Estonia follows Schengen visa policies. Citizens of certain countries can enter visa-free for short stays, while others must obtain a Schengen visa before arrival.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with a valid national ID card or passport
Only a valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or additional authorization needed. Can live and work without restrictions.
Citizens of these countries can enter Estonia and the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Estonia.
Starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 (free for applicants under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS authorization valid for 3 years or until passport expires. Required for all visa-exempt nationals. Not yet implemented as of December 2024 - check official sources for launch date.
Citizens of countries not listed above must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Estonia
Requires completed application form, valid passport, passport photos, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), proof of accommodation, financial means, and return ticket. Visa fee is €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival in Tallinn, all travelers must pass through immigration and customs controls. The process is generally efficient, especially at Tallinn Airport which features modern automated systems. EU/EEA citizens typically experience faster processing.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Estonia follows EU customs regulations. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries must respect duty-free allowances, while those arriving from EU countries face fewer restrictions on goods for personal use. All travelers must declare cash over €10,000 and certain restricted items.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly prohibited with severe penalties
- Weapons and ammunition without proper permits - including replica weapons and certain knives
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media, etc.
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants under CITES
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with few exceptions, to prevent disease
- Plants and plant products from non-EU countries - without phytosanitary certificates
- Offensive materials - child exploitation materials, materials inciting violence or hatred
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only what's needed for your trip with original packaging and doctor's prescription; large quantities require special authorization
- Firearms and ammunition - require special permits from Estonian authorities obtained well in advance
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export/import licenses depending on age and value
- Commercial goods - items for resale require commercial import procedures and duties
- Drones and radio equipment - certain frequency devices may require permits
- Live animals - require health certificates, vaccinations, and advance notification (see pet travel section)
Health Requirements
Estonia has minimal health entry requirements for most travelers. No vaccinations are mandatory for entry from most countries, though routine vaccinations should be up to date. Health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Required Vaccinations
- None for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, influenza)
- Hepatitis A (for travelers eating outside major restaurants)
- Hepatitis B (for those who may have intimate contact or medical procedures)
- Tick-borne encephalitis (for travelers planning extensive outdoor activities in forests, especially spring through autumn)
- Rabies (for travelers with extensive outdoor exposure or working with animals)
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants (minimum €30,000 coverage for medical expenses and repatriation, valid throughout Schengen Area). While not legally required for visa-exempt travelers, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended as healthcare costs can be high for non-EU citizens. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to necessary healthcare at reduced cost or free. UK citizens should obtain a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (family passports no longer accepted). Minors under 18 traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel, including contact details and trip details. This is not always checked but may be requested at immigration. For divorced/separated parents, custody documents may be required. Single parents should carry the child's birth certificate. Unaccompanied minors require special airline arrangements and documentation.
Pets from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip identification, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel). Pets from non-EU countries need: ISO-compatible microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate issued by official veterinarian (within 10 days of travel), rabies antibody test for some countries (at least 30 days after vaccination, 3 months before travel). Dogs must be treated for tapeworm 1-5 days before entry. Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Dangerous dog breeds may face restrictions. Contact Estonian Veterinary and Food Board (www.vet.agri.ee) for current requirements.
Non-EU citizens wishing to stay longer than 90 days must apply for a long-stay visa (D-visa) or residence permit before the 90-day limit expires. Cannot be extended while in Estonia on tourist status. Applications submitted at Estonian embassy/consulate in home country. Options include: work permits (requires job offer), study permits (requires university acceptance), family reunification, or retirement/financial independence permits. Processing takes 2-6 months. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but should register residence if staying over 3 months. UK citizens now subject to 90/180 day rule post-Brexit.
Business visitors on short stays (under 90 days) can enter on tourist visa waiver or Schengen visa. Permitted activities include attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, but not employment or providing services for payment. Bring invitation letter from Estonian company, proof of business relationship, and evidence of employment with foreign company. For longer business stays or actual work, a temporary residence permit for employment is required, which requires employer sponsorship and approval from Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Students from visa-exempt countries can enter initially on tourist basis to look for accommodation, then must obtain residence permit for study if staying over 90 days. Students from visa-required countries need long-stay D-visa for study before arrival. Requirements: acceptance letter from Estonian educational institution, proof of sufficient funds (€540/month), health insurance, accommodation proof. Apply at Estonian embassy in home country. Processing takes 2-3 months. Permit allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during term).
Estonia offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers employed by companies outside Estonia or working as freelancers for clients outside Estonia. Requirements: monthly income of at least €3,504 (gross) or €4,500 for previous 6 months, employment contract or proof of freelance business, health insurance. Allows stay up to 1 year. Can be applied for at Estonian embassy or, for some nationalities, after arriving visa-free. Cannot work for Estonian companies on this visa. Family members can be included in application.
Passengers transiting through Tallinn Airport without leaving the international transit area generally don't need a visa if their onward flight is within 24 hours. However, some nationalities require an airport transit visa even without leaving the airport - check with Estonian authorities. If leaving the airport or staying overnight, normal entry requirements apply. Schengen visa or visa exemption needed to enter Estonia. Ensure sufficient time for connections (minimum 1-2 hours for Schengen-to-Schengen, 2-3 hours if changing from non-Schengen).
Cruise passengers arriving at Port of Tallinn on same-day visits may benefit from simplified procedures if staying within port area and organized tours. However, most will go through regular immigration. Those on cruises that start and end in Schengen Area with only Schengen stops don't typically face passport control at each port. Those arriving from outside Schengen (e.g., Russia, UK) will clear immigration. Ensure you have necessary visas - cruise line usually provides guidance. Keep cruise boarding pass and photo ID when going ashore. Be aware of ship departure time - immigration delays are your responsibility.