Arriving from the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Schengen area
A 10-day restriction on the freedom of movement applies to passengers entering Estonia from a country in the European Union, European Economic Area and the Schengen area with an infection rate above 150 persons per 100 000 inhabitants in the past 14 days.
For the 25-31/01 period, the restriction applies to passengers arriving from the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia*, Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The infection rate of the Vatican is 0 but anyone travelling to Estonia from there through Italy is subject to the 10-day restriction on the freedom of movement.
The restriction on the freedom of movement does not apply to passengers arriving from a country with an infection rate below 150 per 100 000 inhabitants in the past 14 days: Bulgaria, Iceland, Greece, Norway and Finland.
*Based on Order No 282 of the Government of Estonia, the restriction on the freedom of movement does not apply to asymptomatic people who have been on the territory of Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia in the past 10 days and have arrived to Estonia directly from Lithuania or Latvia with the following preconditions.
1) The person has taken a coronavirus test no earlier than 72 hours before their arrival in Estonia and the result is negative, or they have taken the test immediately after their arrival in Estonia and the result is negative. The passenger is required to remain in isolation while waiting for the test result.
(2) They arrive in Estonia for the purpose of working, studying or receiving health services or for family reasons or transit. When travelling to Estonia for the reasons listed above, it is not required to take a coronavirus test before arriving in Estonia.
Starting from 15 January, the following rules apply for reducing the period of isolation for passengers arriving from a country in the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Schengen area.
(1) Anyone unwilling to self-isolate for 10 days after their arrival in Estonia 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 isolation period can be concluded earlier if both tests are negative.
(2) 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 isolation period can be concluded earlier if both tests are negative.
The period of self-isolation can be reduced only if the passenger presents a PCR test for determining RNA count and can prove they have taken the test and the result is negative. A transcript of test results must be in the Latin or Slavic alphabet in Estonian, Russian or English and it must state the location and time of the test, who took the test and their details, as well as the method (PCR) and result of the test. For booking a second test, passengers can contact the call centre for public testing (678 0000). Details about testing are available of the website https://koroonatestimine.ee/.
Arriving from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Schengen area
Starting from 1 January 2021, passengers arriving in Estonia from the United Kingdom are subject to an additional obligation introduced by the Government of Estonia to take a COVID-19 test no earlier than 72 hours before arrival, and the result of the rest must be negative. The test is not compulsory for children under the age of 12. A 10-day self-isolation is also mandatory for passengers arriving from the United Kingdom. The rule applies even in cases when the passenger has only transited through the United Kingdom on their way to Estonia. The period of self-isolation can be reduced if in addition to the first negative test, a second test taken 7 days after arrival is also negative.
On 17 December, the Council of the European Union reviewed the list of third countries included in Annex 1 of its recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU*, and according to the list, it is possible to travel to Estonia from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. A 10-day self-isolation is mandatory for passengers arriving from countries with an infection rate above 16 people per 100 000 inhabitants in the past 14 days, i.e. passengers arriving from Japan, South Korea and Rwanda.
* Press release on the reviewed list of countries included in Annex 1 of the recommendation of the Council of the European Union
Anyone arriving in Estonia for the purpose of work or studying at an educational institution registered in Estonia from a third country not included in Annex 1 of the recommendation of the Council of the European Union is subject to the 10-day mandatory self-isolation, and they must take a coronavirus test immediately after arriving in Estonia and a second test no earlier than six days after the first test. Testing does not grant the right to stop self-isolating before the mandatory period ends.
Information about countries and restrictions on movement is reviewed on a weekly basis and published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against any non-essential international travel.
In cases where travelling is essential, the Foreign Ministry advises keeping the following in mind:
- before planning your trip, please consult the Foreign Ministry website for the infection rate in your planned country of destination;
- for information about restrictions in your destination, please consult the Reisi Targalt website, the ReOpen portal of the European Union, or contact the representation of the country for more details;
- register your trip at the Foreign Ministry’s Reisi Targalt website to allow us to notify you of possible travel restrictions;
- follow the recommendations of the Estonian Health Board for a safe flight; if you show symptoms, please postpone your trip and contact your GP;
- take out travel insurance and carefully read the conditions of your insurance (including for travel interruptions caused by COVID-19);
- when crossing the border, you must fill out a declaration, which can be done electronically. The declaration can be completed 24 hours before arriving in Estonia: iseteenindus.terviseamet.ee. Make sure to keep the confirmation email you will receive after you have completed the form. The declaration can still be filled out on paper; it is available here (DOCX) (DOCX);
- at your destination, follow the instructions of local authorities and keep up to date with possible new restrictions;
- on your return, follow the rules introduced in Estonia, and if you suspect you have been infected with the virus, contact your GP.
We would like to highlight that countries can change their conditions for entry and stay at short notice. We recommend contacting the representation or the relevant authorities of your destination country for more detailed information about the conditions that apply there.
Please call the national helpline 1247 (+372 600 1247 when calling from abroad) for additional information on the coronavirus and restriction on the freedom of movement.
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]