VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Estonia
On December 21, 2007, Estonia joined the ranks of the Schengen countries. To apply for a short-term tourist visa for up to 90 days, citizens of Russia need the following documents:
– a passport valid for at least three months from the date of expiration of the visa with at least 2 blank pages,
– a copy of a civil passport,
– a completed application form (you can download here),
– a 40X50 mm photograph on a light background,
– an insurance policy for at least 30,000 euros.
– documents confirming the availability of sufficient funds for accommodation and stay in Estonia, as well as departure from Estonia. For each day of stay in Estonia, the applicant must have 720 Estonian kroons (46 euros) available – 0.2 of the minimum wage in Estonia. The availability of this amount when entering Estonia must be proven at the request of a border guard officer.
If a minor child travels unaccompanied by parents or only with one of the parents, it is necessary to present a notarized consent of the parents or one of the parents for the child’s trip to Estonia, as well as a copy of the child’s birth certificate. In the event that one of the parents has died or is not involved in the upbringing of the child, this fact must be confirmed by documents.
Import and export of foreign currency is not limited. It is allowed to import duty-free industrial goods with a total value of up to 5 thousand Estonian kroons; food products in quantities up to 10 kg, including coffee, tea, spices – no more than 3 kg; for persons under 21 years old – 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content of up to 58%, up to 1 liter of drinks with a strength of up to 21% and up to 10 liters of beer. Persons aged 18 to 21 are allowed to import up to 2 liters of medium strength drinks and 10 liters of beer, as well as (for persons under 16 years of age) – 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars, or 250 gr. tobacco.
There are no restrictions on the import of items for personal use and food intended for personal use. The import and export of weapons, explosives and toxic substances, drugs and some medicines, as well as antiques and precious metals is prohibited.
Estonia, Embassy website: http://www.estemb.ru/
Embassy in Estonia
Estonia, Embassy in Moscow
125009 Moscow, Maliy Kislovsky lane, 5
Tel.: (+7 495) 737-36-40
Fax: (+7 495) 737-36-46
Consular Department:
Tel.: (7 495) 737 36 48 (on working days from 9.00-12.00 and from 14.00-17.00)
Fax: (7 495) 291 10 73
Open on working days from 8.30-17.00; closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays in Estonia and Russia.
Applications for visas are accepted and visas are issued on working days from 9.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00.
Estonia, Embassy website: http://www.estemb.ru/
Estonia, Russian Embassy in the country:
Khobuenya, 3 A, EE 0100, Tallinn
You can make a long-distance call or make an international call from any street payphone that works with phone cards. Newsstands sell phone cards worth 30, 50 or 100 crowns. Many payphones can be called, the payphone number is indicated in the booth.
To call Estonia, you need to dial 8 – beep – 10 – 372 – area code – subscriber number. When calling from Estonia, you must first dial 00, then the country code – the area code and the subscriber’s number.
Emergency Phones in Estonia
Police – 110
Fire and rescue service and ambulance – 112
Technical assistance (in case of problems on the road) – 118
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year’s Day
February 24 – Independence Day
May 1 – Spring Festival
23 – Victory Day in the Battle of Võnnu 1919
August 20 – Independence Restoration Day
December 25 – Christmas
There are many festivals throughout the year in Estonia. The main and brightest of them are the July Folk Festival of the Baltic, held in Tallinn, and the All-Estonian Song Festival.
A very interesting holiday is “Grillfest”, which is celebrated on the longest night of the year on Janov’s Day. At this time, people dance on the streets of the cities, sing songs and dance around the fires, and the villagers are looking for the mystical fern flower, which, according to legend, blooms only this night and brings good luck to those who find it.
Also, the Days of the Middle Ages are held annually in the middle of summer in the ancient cities of the country. These days, festive processions of craftsmen and merchants dressed in medieval clothes are organized along the streets of cities. Medieval markets, craft shops and workshops are open all the time on the squares.
In addition, in Estonia you can get to the jazz festival “Tudengidjaz” in February, the Estonian Film Week in March, the Days of Estonian Music in April, the jazz festival of the Baltic countries in April, the festival “Slavic wreath” in June, the Estonian beer festival “Olesummer” in early July, International Festival of Organ Music in August, International Festival of Street Theaters from August to September, “Days of Finno-Ugric Peoples” in late October, Festival of Children’s and Youth Theaters “Banaanikala” in October-November, International Film Festival “Dark Nights” in November-December.
SHOPS
According to ehuzhou, shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00 (some until 20:00) on weekdays and from 9:00 to 15:00 on Saturday. In the main tourist centers, shops are open from 10:00 to 20:00.
TIPS
In Estonian restaurants and hotels, tips are usually already included in the bill.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Estonians are a very calm people, they are very friendly and do everything to make tourists feel comfortable in their country. However, they cannot stand arrogance and do not perceive those who do not know how to behave in society.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
Before traveling to Estonia, it is advisable to take out health insurance, as medical services for foreigners are paid here. No special vaccinations are required to enter the country.
