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Weather & climate
Weather in Estonia
Estonia
8°
Light drizzle
Thu
5°
8°
Fri
6°
13°
Sat
3°
11°
Sun
2°
6°
Mon
1°
10°
Tue
1°
11°
Wed
4°
10°
SPF level in Estonia
Recommended: SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 30
Autumn
SPF 15
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Estonia
What British travellers need to know
You can travel without a visa to Estonia for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for purposes like tourism or visiting family.
Your passport must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before you arrive and an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Be prepared for potential biometric registration (fingerprints and photo) at the border under the new Entry/Exit System, which may cause longer wait times.
At border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket and prove you have enough money for your stay.
If your passport is not stamped on entry or exit, show evidence like boarding passes to border guards and ask them to add the date and location.
Good to know:
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Estonia and you must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into Estonia, with exceptions for items like powdered baby milk or special foods required for medical reasons.
Safety in Estonia
Tips when travelling
Estonia is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Pickpockets can be a problem in bars and nightclubs in Tallinn's Old Town.
Always use pre-arranged taxis or official taxis with 'TAKSO' signage.
Keep cards in sight when paying in shops and restaurants to avoid card skimming.
Do not drink and drive, as being found with over a quarter of England's legal alcohol limit can lead to a fine and imprisonment.
Drinks served in bars in Estonia are often stronger than those in the UK.
Severe penalties, including long jail sentences, apply for possessing, using, buying, or smuggling illegal drugs like cannabis.
Bonus tips:
To reduce the risk of drink spiking or assault, keep an eye on each other's drinks in nightlife areas.
If you are planning to drive, you must carry the original V5C vehicle registration document with you.
More information
Driving in Estonia
A UK driving license is valid in Estonia. Ensure you have your physical license with you.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
110 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.02%
Remember: Estonia drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Estonia
As a UK resident, you can use your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Estonia. However, it's still recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover costs GHIC/EHIC might not, such as repatriation or private medical care.
Generally, Estonia has good standards of healthcare. No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but it's advisable to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is readily available if preferred. Be aware of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease if hiking in forested areas during warmer months.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in major establishments, but smaller businesses may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1094
Tipping in Estonia
Tipping is not mandatory in Estonia but is appreciated for good service. A service charge is usually not included in bills.
Restaurant
5-10% for good service. Check your bill, as some establishments catering to tourists may already include it.
Bar/Café
Rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount is appreciated.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is customary.
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag is appreciated for assistance with luggage.
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per night left in the room upon departure is a kind gesture.
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR per person for a well-performed tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU's 'Roam Like at Home' policy no longer automatically applies to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider for roaming charges in Estonia. Some providers may still offer similar packages.
Local SIM
10 GB for 15 EUR (~£13)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Estonia
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
Good coverage in cities, hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Increasingly available in rural areas, but less reliable.
Average speed
50 Mbps
WiFi is widely available in Estonia, particularly in urban areas. Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free WiFi to customers. Mobile data is also readily available.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Estonia
Country code
+372
To call the British Embassy in Tallinn from the UK, you would dial 00 372 667 4700.
The country code for Estonia is 372. When calling from abroad, dial the exit code for your country (00 in the UK), then 372, followed by the recipient's local number.
UK Embassy
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Entry-Exit System (EES) update
- The EES is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
- The previous rollout date of 10 April 2026 for full operation is no longer mentioned.
Passport validity clarification
- Passports renewed before 1 October 2018 that have a date of issue more than 10 years ago are now explicitly stated to be 'invalid for entry to the Schengen area'.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.