Living in Estonia

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Estonian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Estonian travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Estonia see our coronavirus travel advice.

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts on living in Estonia
• follow the British Embassy in Tallinn on Facebook and Twitter

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

The British Embassy holds events across Estonia for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizens’ outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Estonia.

You can also:

• read the Ministryinformation ofon Interiorthe guidanceMinistry forof UKForeign nationalsAffairs livingof in Estonia website

The Withdrawal Agreement

IfThe Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you werecan legallycontinue residentto live, work and study in Estoniathe EU broadly as you did before 131 January 2021,2020.

If youryou rightsare resident in Estonia at the end of the transition period, you will be protectedcovered by the Withdrawal Agreement.Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Estonia.

YouAny shouldrights check that you are correctlynot registeredcovered andby shouldthe getWithdrawal aAgreement newwill residencebe documentthe tosubject evidenceof yourfuture rights.negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information

In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Estonia. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.

You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.

Visas and residency

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Residency

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Moving to Estonia

Healthcare

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Healthcare

You must register for healthcare as a resident in Estonia, as well as registering, where necessary, with a health insurer.

Find out how the health care insurance system in Estonia works. Read the Estonian health insurance fund and Estonian official state portal.

You can use your Estonian ID card or Residence Permit card to get prescriptions.

Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Estonia and make sure you are correctly registered.

If your UK employer has sent you to Estonia temporarily, your access to healthcare is different. Find out how to access healthcare as a posted worker.register.

State healthcare: S1

If you havelive ain registeredEstonia S1and formreceive andan wereexportable livingUK inpension, Estoniacontribution-based beforeEmployment JanuarySupport 2021,Allowance youror rightsanother toexportable accessbenefit, healthcareyou willmay staycurrently thebe sameentitled ifto youstate arehealthcare either:

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• receivingmust someapply otherfor ‘exportable benefits’
• a frontiercertificate workerof whoentitlement livesknown inas Estoniaan andS1 commutes to work in the UK

certificate.

Read our guidance on usinghow an S1 form in Estonia to ensureget youan areS1 correctly registered for healthcare.form.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are resident in Estonia, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC from the UK for healthcare in Estonia.

IfWhen you weretravel livingfrom in Estonia beforefor 1a Januarytemporary 2021,stay youin mayanother beEuropean eligibleEconomic forArea a(EEA) newcountry UK-issuedor Switzerland, you can use an EHIC ifto you’re:

• access state-provided healthcare during a UKtemporary studentstay in Estonia
• aanother UKEuropean StateEconomic PensionerArea with(EEA) acountry registeredor S1
Switzerland.
• athe frontierEHIC workercovers withtreatment athat registeredis S1

Applymedically nownecessary foruntil ayour newplanned UKreturn EHIC.

Anhome

• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.

  Forinsurance

• for more information you can read our guidancetravel onadvice healthcare when travelling in Europepages and advice on foreign travel insurance.insurance

There will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.

You should also read guidance on:

• healthcare and studying abroad
• finding English-speaking doctors in Estonia

You should also checkingcheck your prescriptions are legal in Estonia.Estonia .

Passports and travel

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You orcan aapply utilityfor billor inrenew your name,British datingpassport from 2020.Estonia.

IfRead youtravel cannotdocument showrequirements thatfor youvisitors are resident in Estonia,Estonia youfrom may be asked additional questions at the borderEstonian toMinistry enterof theForeign SchengenAffairs.

Passports area,from and1 yourJanuary passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Estonia.

Passports2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From You1 canJanuary apply2021, foryou or renew your British passport from Estonia.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Estonia, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to Renewrenew your passport before bookingtravelling your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YouYour passport may alsobe needstamped tofor showvisits ato returnthese or onward ticket.countries.

Entry requirements

YouFrom can1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

To stayThis longeris thana 90rolling days180-day inperiod.

To anystay 180-dayfor period,longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day visa-free limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Driving in Estonia

TravelDriving tolicence therules UKwill andstay Irelandthe hassame notuntil changed.

Driving31 inDecember Estonia

2020.

If you are resident in Estonia, you should exchange your UK licence for an Estonian one.one Youwith needthe toEstonian exchangeRoad yourAdministration. licenceYou bycan 31use Decemberyour 2021Estonian orlicence withinin 12the monthsUK offor arrivingshort invisits Estonia.

Contactor theexchange Estonianit Roadfor Administrationa toUK findlicence outwithout whattaking a test if you needreturn to do.live in the UK.

For information on driving,driving in Estonia, read the guidance on:

• driving abroad

• road travel in Estonia

• information on motor vehicle documents a driver must carry in Estonia

• information on lost and stolen driving licences if you travel in the EU

Driving in the UK with an Estonian licence

You can use your Estonia licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test. We will update these pages if there are any changes to the rules, as soon as information is available.

Bringing a UK registered vehicle to Estonia

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK. You must read the Estonian Road Administration information on vehicle registration in Estonia

You should read the EU’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Estonia. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Working in Estonia

If you wereare legallyregistered as a resident in EstoniaEstonia, before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work,work asin longEstonia. as you remain legally resident.

If you are planning to come to Estonia to work, you may need a visa. Read theour police and border guard guidance on working in Estoniaan EU country.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a:

• UK criminal records certificate

• Estonian criminal records certificate

If you require a record of your employment history in Estonia contact the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs.

Frontier workers

If you liveare resident in Estonia andon were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before 131 JanuaryDecember 20212020, youyour mayright need a permit to showwork youwill arestay athe frontiersame, worker.as Checklong as you areremain correctlyresident registered for residency in Estonia.

Education

YouIf will be eligible for broadly the same support as Estonian nationals, as long as you wereare legally resident in Estonia beforeon 1or Januarybefore 2021.31 CheckDecember you2020, are correctly registered for residency.

Read our guidance on:

• continuing your studiesright in the EU

• healthcare for students in Estonia

Moving to Estonia to study

If you are planning to study in Estonia,Estonia makewill surestay youthe meetsame, allas visalong requirementsas before you arrive.remain Contactresident the relevant Higher Education provider in Estonia to check what fees you may have to pay.Estonia.

For more information read on education, read studying in the European Union.

Money and tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Estonia to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Estonia have not changed following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

You should read the guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Estonia
• paying income tax in Estonia from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Estonia. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Estonia.

National Insurance

Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance inwhile the UK or social security contributionsabroad in Estonia.

Banking

Whetherorder UK banks can provide services to customersprotect livingyour inState thePension EEAand isentitlement ato matterother ofbenefits local law and regulation.allowances.

If Your bank or finance provider should contact you ifare theyemployed needor toself-employed makein anythe changesEU to your product or theEEA wayand they provide it. If you have anya concernsUK-issued aboutA1/E101 whetherform, you mightwill beremain affected,subject contactto yourUK providerlegislation oruntil seek independent financial advice.

Read the Moneyend anddate Pension Service guidance on banking,the insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.form.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Estonia.

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire in Estonia, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension and new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre

• your Estonian pension if you’ve worked in Estonia

• pensions from working abroad, if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Benefits

Pensions after 31 December 2020

ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.

If you are living in Estonia by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Estonia, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Estonian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Estonia on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Estonia.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

Benefits

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

CheckYou whichmay still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Estonia. You should:

• read our guidance on which benefits you can claim whileif you live abroad

• use andour howtool to check which benefits you can claim them.while you’re abroad

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Estonian benefits

Find out about Estonian benefits and allowancesAllowances from the Estonian State Portal.

Voting

Benefits after 31 December 2020

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you haveare permanentliving in the EU, EEA or long-termSwitzerland residencyby 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Estonia, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Estonian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Estonia (obtainedon or after five1 consecutiveJanuary years2021 ofand temporaryyou residence),are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

Voting

If you’re resident in Estonia, you can vote in local municipal elections.elections.

You cannot vote in national elections or European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote

• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Estonia, you will need to register the birth abroad.

If someone dies in Estonia you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad

• read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Estonia

• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Estonia

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Estonia.

You may need:

• English-speaking lawyers in Estonia

• translators and interpreters in Estonia

Pets

IfCurrent you have a pet passport issued by Estonia or another EU member state, you can use it to travel withrules yourwill petstay tothe Greatsame Britainuntil and31 elsewhereDecember in the EU.2020.

AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime, Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to getobtain thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

Read guidance on:

• on bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EUUK.
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number on 112 in Estonia. If calling from outside Estonia about an emergency in Estonia, you can dial (+372) 6000 112 to reach Estonian Response Centre

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Tallinn

Accommodation and buying property

Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.

Returning to the UK

Tell the UK and Estonian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently. To help prove you are now living in the UK, you should deregister with your:

• Estonian Population register
• local health care provider

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you get healthcare in Estonia through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Estonian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.