Several new COVID-19 related rules are in place from August 2021 in Estonia. At the same time, vaccination as well as the respective EU digital certificate are available also for foreigners residing in Estonia.
Restrictions and rules
Wearing a mask on public transport is mandatory from Monday, August 2. The rule is valid for everybody from the age of 12.
Additionally, since August 9, new limitations are introduced regarding the number of people allowed to gather at all kinds of events - from conferences, culture venues and entertainment to sports, youth work, hobbies, education and trainings. Indoors it is limited to 50 attendees, while outdoors to 100 people. However, the number of participants can be higher if the organizer ensures that coronavirus certificates for participants starting from age 18 above are checked on entry (people prove to have been vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19, or present a recent negative test result). In such cases, there may be up to 6,000 attendees indoors and up to 12,000 outdoors.
For more information, visit the governement webpage.
COVID-19 vaccination
In 2021, vaccination is available and free for everybody (above age 12) living in Estonia, including foreigners and those who do not have health insurance.
If the foreign national has an Estonian personal identification code and the means to log in to Estonian e-services (an ID-card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID), the appointment for vaccination can be booked at www.digilugu.ee or by calling the state helpline 1247.
If the foreigner does not have a personal identification code, there are two options:
- find the closest vaccination point at the website https://vaktsineeri.ee/en/covid-19/getting-a-vaccination/, contact them personally, and book an appointment;
- call 1247 (8:00 - 20:00) – they collect the information about people without a personal identification code and forward it to the health centre Qvalitas, who will contact the person and offer an appointment for vaccination.
NB! It must be taken into account that most vaccines are given in two doses and the person has to stay in Estonia for an extended period of time in order to receive the second protective injection.
The vaccination location is not tied to the person's official place of residence. Vaccination offices are also operating at hospitals and private medical service providers. In some cases it might be possible to receive a vaccination at family physician, as well as occasionally other public walk-in vaccination spots are opened in municipalities or organised by some private companies.
An appointment for a minor must be booked by their legal representative.
EU digital COVID certificate
If you have Estonian ID-card, you can create your EU digital COVID certificate in patient portal (Digilugu). The guide is available here (scroll down for EN and RU).
If you cannot access Digilugu, but you have received an Estonian identity code, then using your passport (or ID-card) there are two options for you:
You can go to TEHIK (Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre) in Tallinn at address Uus-Tatari 25, where certificates are issued on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 - 15:00. The certificate will be sent to your email address within three working days.
You can go to a notary bureau, fill in and sign the necessary application and send the notarised application to info@tehik.ee. This costs 15,30 euros and the certificate will be sent to your email address within three working days.
Arriving to Estonia
A traveller’s questionnaire must be completed prior to arrival in Estonia. This can be done up to three days before arrival. You must be ready to present it when boarding the plane. Read more at the Health Board webpage (choose English or Russian language if necessary).
If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us: euraxess@etag.ee
Edited on August 16, 2021