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Moving to Estonia, you will find a country with the cleanest air in the world. One of the smaller nations in Europe in terms of land mass, it’s surprisingly uncrowded, providing a natural beauty that’s easily accessible wherever you choose to live. Removals to another country are an exhilarating experience but can feel a little intimidating too. With so much to organise and the unknown awaiting, it’s normal to feel not just excited, but a bit overwhelmed as well.
Here’s an overview of the most important elements of living in Estonia and the factors you should plan for before your move.
Situated in northeastern Europe, Estonia has more than 2000 islands. A diminutive nation it connects Scandinavia, to Central Europe and the countries to the east. A coastal country it offers excellent access and can be easily reached by air, land and water from anywhere in Europe.
Estonia has been a member of the EU since 2004. It is part of the Schengen area and uses the Euro as currency. During the winter months, Estonia is +2 GMT while in the summer it’s +3 GMT.
The country is small with a scant population of just 1.3 million; it feels far less cramped than other European nations. The natural landscape is stunning and no matter where you live, you won’t be further than 30 minutes from a lake or a forest.
Technology is so important to Estonia that internet access is considered a human right. The country is often dubbed “e-Estonia” because of its commitment to high tech with residents enjoying some of the fastest internet speeds in the world.
Before you dig deep into the practicalities of living in Estonia, here are a few fun facts about the country:
A third of the Estonian population live in the capital, Tallinn with Tartu and Narva the next two largest populated cities.
Tallinn is still relatively small for a city. It offers cosmopolitan atmosphere with its theatres, cafes and nightlife, yet retains a medieval charm in the centre with its cobbled streets. The perimeter has a far more modern, leafy feel. Its 30-mile coastline offers easy access to beautiful beaches.
Tartu is a university town and offers a far quieter way of life than Tallinn. It’s not lacking in atmosphere though with a calendar which is bursting with cultural events.
Narva is the most easterly city in the country and if you want to move to Estonia to practice your Russian, this is the place to go. Obliterated during the war by bombing campaigns, the architecture is more modern, but the river, beach and castle mean it still retains a historical feel.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I need a visa for Estonia?” you might be pleasantly surprised to discover how easy it is to move to this country. As a member of the EU, Estonia allows individuals travelling from other EU countries. Likewise, citizens from the EEA, Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand won’t need a further visa. As the UK is exiting the EU this may be subject to change.
However, even if you don’t need a visa you will need to register your arrival within three months of your Estonia moving date.
You will find detailed information for British expats in Estonia on the UK Govt website.
Once you’ve officially registered as a resident of Estonia, you’ll qualify for the welcoming programme offered free of charge by the state. This is a comprehensive series of modules covering all aspects of Estonian life. Separate sessions are deliberately geared towards children and young adults.
None of the modules is compulsory and you can choose to take the ones you think will be most helpful. Some of the subjects covered include culture, rights, obligations, society, working, family and studying. Each of the modules typically only lasts 5-8 hours each, whilst the language tuition is approximately 80 hours in total.
It’s always helpful to learn at least some of the language of the country you’re moving to. However, almost everyone is at least bilingual and speaks both Russian and English so you’re unlikely to be unable to communicate with the locals while you’re still learning Estonian.
In Estonia, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road and drivers need to be at least 18 years old. All cars are required to drive with dipped headlights during the day and seat-belts are compulsory at all times.
Public transport links are excellent for both the cities and for longer distances. Safe, affordable and convenient, this is a popular choice for many people.
n Estonia you can have two types of health care systems: public and private. The public is provided by Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF; Haigekassa in Estonian). You can access EHIF services if you are employed in Estonia (and your employer is paying social taxes), if you’re self-employed and you pay your own social taxes, or if you are currently unemployed but registered in the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The Estonian health insurance system is a solidarity-based social insurance system. This means it provides healthcare for everyone. with 19 public hospitals (and 20 private), Estonia is well covered for healthcare and you can expect a high quality of care throughout the country.
For a more detailed overview, check out the Estonian Health Insurance Fund and the Estonian Health Board, as well as this leaflet
Getting everything ready can seem like an uphill task but the help of an international moving company is essential. International movings are very different from just moving domestically. European Moving has a proven track record across Europe.
European removals firms may not travel to Estonia as frequently as other countries so it’s a good idea to book your slot as soon as possible. If you’re able to be more flexible about when you move, you’ll get the best price. Moving to Estonia in low season and travelling mid-month, for example, may mean you get a better deal.
Whether you choose our Load & Go or our EasyMoves solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Estonia and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.