Journey to Estonia

Visa-free travel allows individuals to stay in Schengen Area member states for 90 days within a 180-day period. In Estonia, this restriction does not apply to Ukrainian war refugees. For information about the documents required for travel within Europe, please refer to the European Union's official website.

It is possible to leave Ukraine by land. It is advisable to first move away from the conflict zone towards the west and then exit the country through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, or Romania. When travelling to Estonia, avoid routes that lead through Belarus and Russia.

For more information on travelling to Estonia, visit the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the Travel Smart page, and the crisis-related section on kriis.ee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also operates an online consul on Facebook.

For emergencies while travelling abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 information phone number is +372 5301 9999.

Estonian border crossing

You may cross the borders between Estonia and other Schengen member states at any time and in any location—this applies to crossing the borders of Sweden, Finland, and Latvia as well.

Estonia's external Schengen border can be crossed at the Tallinn border crossing point, in ports open to international traffic, and at border points between Estonia and Russia during their opening hours. Crossing the external Schengen border at locations other than the designated border crossing points or outside their opening hours is considered an illegal border crossing.

Movement between the border points of Estonia and the Russian Federation is restricted. The police do not recommend travelling from Estonia to Russia.

At the border, applications for international protection from refugees will be accepted, or a request for temporary protection for Ukrainian war refugees will be recorded. Information will be provided regarding staying in Estonia.

Read more about crossing the Estonian border on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board. Crossing the Estonian border is regulated by the State Border Act.

Documents required to enter the country

Although there are no controls when crossing the internal borders of the Schengen area, you must always have a passport or identity card (ID-card) with you, as the authorities have the right to check your identity documents if needed. For more information on the documents required for border crossing into Estonia, please visit the website of the Police and Border Guard Board. 

Ukrainian citizens are able to enter Estonia without a visa if they have a biometric passport. Besides that, visas are not required for their family members (spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents). In order to keep family together, partners who are Ukrainian citizens can also enter Estonia without a visa. For more information on travelling to Estonia and visa-free travel, please visit the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

Citizens of Ukraine who were in Estonia before 24 February 2022, or who lived in Ukraine until that date and left due to the war, have the right to stay in Estonia as long as the Council of Europe's decision on temporary protection is in force. This grants the right to stay in Estonia directly by law, so no visa is required.

Ukrainian citizens who are war refugees and apply for temporary or international protection are allowed to enter Estonia without a biometric passport. People with citizenship of any other country who have been granted international protection in Ukraine, along with their family members, can also apply for temporary protection. Temporary protection is a one-year residence permit which gives its beneficiaries the same rights as Estonian residents have.

The international protection in Estonia is regulated by the Act on Granting International Protection. 

Ukrainian documents

The Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia conducts operations related to Ukrainian passports and ID cards and provides assistance in cases of missing travel documents. For those who possess a Ukrainian internal passport or birth certificate, the embassy can issue a certificate containing personal information written in the Latin alphabet. For more details about the embassy's services, please visit their website.

Ukrainian biometric passports (foreign passports) and ID cards can also be applied for at Ukrainian passport centres located elsewhere in Europe. For more information about Ukrainian passport centres, please visit their website.

Border crossing by a minor

For every minor, the principle "each individual has their own document" applies. However, a foreigner under the age of 15 is not required to have a travel document if they are travelling to Estonia accompanied by a person whose travel document contains their name, date of birth, visa, residence permit, or right of residence.

In the case of minors travelling with an adult accompanying them, border controls will verify whether this person is their legal guardian. If the minor arrives in Estonia with a family member or other person who is not their legal guardian, it is recommended that they should have a handwritten permission note containing the contact details of their parents.

Underage foreigners who wish to apply for asylum in Estonia, but do not have a legal right or a valid travel document allowing them to enter the country, are allowed to enter Estonia after submitting their asylum application to the Police and Border Guard Board, which also organises their further travel.

Read more about minors crossing the border on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board. 

Minors who do not have an accompanying adult, need to be assigned a legal guardian in Estonia, who will look after the child's well-being and represent the child in necessary activities (e.g. applying for benefits, preparing a bank card, deciding on treatment, etc.). For more information on guardianship, see the website of the Social Insurance Board

Before a guardian is appointed, the local authority where the child is registered will act as the guardian. In the absence of registration, the local authority in whose administrative area the child resides will assume this role.

The guardian is appointed by the court. For this purpose, an application must be submitted to the court. Since Estonian is the official language of the court proceedings and administrative processing, you can apply for reimbursement of translation services from your local authority. Read more about this here. 

Travelling with animals

A maximum of five animals may travel with their owner or an authorised person. As an exception, a pet may also cross the border up to five days before or after the owner's crossing, provided that written proof of the owner's crossing (e.g., air or boat tickets) is provided. In the case of regular journeys, the purpose of travel cannot be to sell the animal or transfer ownership.

In order to travel with a dog or cat from Ukraine to Estonia, dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have an antibody titre. The animal must also have a veterinary certificate.

Read more about travelling with pets on the Food and Agriculture Board's website. 

Asylum in Estonia

International protection for refugees 

International protection offers legal protection to people who have been forced to leave their country of origin because of persecution or lack of security. The reception of applicants for international protection is governed by the Act on the Granting of International Protection to Aliens. 

An applicant for international protection must be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board, who will review the application and decide whether to grant protection

If the person needs the accommodation centre services, they will be directed to the accommodation centre of the Social Security Board, where the necessary services will be provided until the end of the procedure. 

There are three types of international protection residence permit:

Refugee status is granted to a person who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion in their country of origin country of origin (1951 Geneva Convention). The duration of the residence permit is three years.

Subsidiary protection. If a person does not qualify for refugee status but faces a genuine risk of serious harm in their country of origin, such as the death penalty, torture, or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment, they may be eligible for subsidiary protection. The residence permit granted under subsidiary protection typically lasts for one year.

Temporary protection. Temporary protection is an exceptional measure intended for a foreigner fleeing armed conflict or persistent violence, whose life or well-being is threatened by systemic or large-scale violations of human rights, preventing them from safely and permanently residing in their home country. The residence permit granted under temporary protection typically lasts for one year.

Read more about this on the website of the Social Insurance Board. 

Submitting an asylum application

Before entering the country, you can submit an asylum application to a border guard at any border crossing point on the border of the Republic of Estonia. This possibility should be used if the foreigner does not have a valid visa, travel documents or Estonian residence permit.

If the foreigner is already in Estonia, they should apply for asylum at any Police and Border Guard Administration station. In Tallinn, the application must be submitted only to the station of the Northern Prefecture at Pärnu mnt 139.

Temporary Protection for Ukrainians

Estonia offers temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens and their family members who lived in Ukraine until 24 February 2022 and then fled the war. Temporary protection grants a residence permit for one year. 

Under temporary protection, Ukrainian citizens and their family members receive very similar rights to Estonian residents, such as access to social services and the right to work and receive education. It also includes the right to move freely within the European Union. 

Applying for temporary protection is not obligatory. All Ukrainian citizens have the right to stay in Estonia without applying for temporary protection.

You do not need a biometric passport to apply for temporary protection – an internal passport is enough. To apply, book an appointment on the Police and Border Guard Board website. 

An application for extension of the temporary protection residence permit can be submitted from three months to one month before the expiry date at the Police and Border Guard Board's self-service asylum.politsei.ee. 

NOTE: We recommend booking your temporary protection extension application on the police website early, as vacancies may not become available quickly.

If your temporary protection residence permit has already expired, you can apply for an extension of temporary protection at the Police and Border Guard Board.

From 10th of September 2023, in order to extend temporary protection, you will need to take a new photo of yourself at a photo booth in the service hall of the Police and Border Guard Board.

The granting of temporary protection to a foreigner is governed by the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens.

International Protection 

A foreigner, including a Ukrainian citizen or resident, who fears persecution in their home country because of race, nationality, religion, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, can apply for international protection in Estonia. 

It also applies for those, whose return to their country of origin could lead to serious risks, including the death penalty, torture or inhumane treatment, or who might be punished or subjected to violence as a result of armed conflict.

Refugees are granted a three-year residence permit, which is renewable every three years. A beneficiary of subsidiary protection is granted a residence permit for one year, renewable for two-year periods.

A person applying for international protection, for whom the status of an applicant is the only legal basis for them in Estonia, is not allowed to work in Estonia until a decision on their application has been taken within six months. If the applicant was lawfully present in Estonia before the application was submitted and they were able to work, the right to work shall continue during the period of application for protection.

An application for renewal of an international protection residence permit can be submitted four months before the expiry of its validity at the self-service of the Police and Border Guard Board at asylum.politsei.ee or at the service of the Police and Border Guard Board. 

To renew your international protection at the service hall, you need to make an appointment.

International protection for foreigners is regulated by the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens.

You can apply for international protection by contacting:

Pärnu mnt 139, Tallinn
H. Tammsaare pst 61, Pärnu
Rahu tn 38, Jõhvi
Riia tee 132, Tartu

Identity Documents

A residence permit card is an obligatory identity document for foreigners residing permanently in Estonia on the basis of a valid residence permit or right of residence. In addition to the usual proof of identity, the residence permit card can also be used for identification in an electronic environment and for digital signature. The residence card is not valid as a travel document. It is a passport of the country of nationality or an alien's passport issued in Estonia.

Non-citizens need an alien's passport, which is issued to a foreigner who has a valid Estonian residence permit and who can prove that they do not have a foreign travel document and cannot obtain one.

In addition to an alien's passport, foreigners can also prove their identity with a temporary travel document, a refugee’s travel document and a certificate of record of service on ships. Estonian embassies and honorary consulates will issue the foreigner with a return permit.  

Registration of Residence

Estonian Population Register

If you have been granted temporary or international protection and a residence permit in Estonia, you must register your place of residence in the Estonian Population Register. You can do this at the local municipality where you live or online at www.rahvastikuregister.ee. 

Once you have registered your place of residence, you will be entitled to services and benefits for Estonian residents, such as social assistance, health care, free public transport or school and nursery places.

In order to register your residence, you must present a document proving the use of the room (e.g. a rental contract) or the consent of the owner of the room. If there is a tenancy agreement, this is sufficient and the owner's consent is not required.

If you are moving from one town, district or municipality to another, you will also need to update your details in the population register. This is so that the local authority can plan nursery and school places, pay subsistence benefits and housing rent allowances.

For more information on registering your place of residence and changing your details, see eesti.ee. 

Legal Counselling

Estonian Human Rights Centre

The Estonian Human Rights Centre offers free counselling to asylum seekers, those who have been granted asylum in Estonia, and stateless individuals in asylum and detention procedures. They provide representation in government bodies, including courts, and assistance in applying for state legal aid. The Centre can also be contacted for legal advice on family reunification.

For help, email asylum@humanrights.ee or call (+372) 644 5148 or (+372) 5440 0550 to arrange a time for a consultation. Find out more about the Centre's services on their website.

Estonian Bar Association

If you have fled the war in Ukraine and require free legal counselling from Estonian lawyers, you can turn to members of the Estonian Bar Association.

Find more information about free legal services on the Estonian Bar Association's website.

Tallinn Migration Centre

The Tallinn Migration Centre offers free legal aid on international protection matters in cooperation with the Estonian Human Rights Centre (advance registration required by phone at +372 5385 9033).

In cooperation with the Legal Services Bureau, free legal counselling is provided to people with low incomes. Registration by phone at +372 5385 0005 (Monday to Thursday 10 am–4 pm).

The Tallinn Migration Centre at Endla 8 is open: Monday 9:00 am–6:00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am–4:00 pm.
The centre is closed on Wednesdays and weekends.
Email: ukto@tallinnlv.ee 
Information phone line, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram: +372 5385 9033

Find more details about all services provided by the Tallinn Migration Centre here.

HUGO.legal

HUGO.legal is a law office, which offers 2 hours of free legal aid for people living in Estonia. No-cost legal counselling is available to anyone with an average gross income of up to €1200 per month. For family matters, concerning children's rights, the income threshold is €2000. Find out more on their website. 

Legal Services Office

Legal Services Office provide free legal aid to underprivileged people and people in special needs in Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere, Jõhvi, Paide, Viljandi, Pärnu and several other cities in Estonia.

Estonian Association of Pensioners’ Societies

Estonian Association of Pensioners’ Societies offers free legal assistance to elderly people twice a week in Tallinn, Keila, Põlva, Pärnu and Rakvere. Find out more here. 

Estonian Union for Child Welfare

For free help with family law issues, contact the Estonian Union for Child Welfare.

Women's Support Centers

Victims of sexual violence can get free legal counselling at Women's Support Centres across Estonia.

Estonian Chamber of Disabled People

People with disabilities and their relatives can get free legal aid from the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People.

Estonian Lawyers Union

In Tallinn, law students provide free legal advice at the Tallinn City Chancellery service office (Vabaduse väljak 7, 1st floor). Consultation times can be found on the website of the Estonian Lawyers Union. 

Every citizen of Tallinn can submit a question to a student trainee. To use the service, email your question to ejl@juristideliit.ee or call (+372) 631 3002 or (+372) 6314 466.

Consulting on labour law

The employment law consultant of the Tallinn City Government's entrepreneurship service provides advice on employment law issues by email. The consultations are free of charge.

The questions can concern all areas of labour law, such as employment contracts, vacation, pay, working and rest time, but also collective labour relations. You can also get advice on how to prepare the necessary documents.

Questions are answered by Elena Koffal at Jelena.Koffal@tallinnlv.ee and at (+372) 640 4219.

The Lawyer Aid

The legal help portal Jurist Aitab provides answers to everyday legal questions in Estonian and Russian. Your question will be answered within one working day. 

Support Person

The support person service for beneficiaries of international and temporary protection is intended for all persons granted asylum in Estonia and their families. Its aim is to support beneficiaries of international protection who need support and additional support to cope and adapt in their new living environment in Estonia.

The service is provided when a person needs support because of social, economic, psychological or health problems. 

In Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere and Jõhvi the service is provided by the local government. In the other regions, the service is provided by MTÜ Eesti Pagulasabi (Estonian Refugee Aid), to which the person in need is referred via the Social Insurance Board..

To find out more about this program, visit the website of the Social Insurance Board. 

Contacts of certified translators, who provide sworn translations of documents in Estonian-Ukrainian-Estonian and Russian-Ukrainian-Russian, are available on the website of the Ministry of Justice.  

Notaries provide notarial certification and authentication, as well as the administration of successions and civil status. 

The list of Estonian notaries is available on the website of the Estonian Chamber of Notaries. 

People who have fled Ukraine will be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licence in the European Union without having to exchange it for an EU driving licence or take a new driving test.

A car not registered in Estonia can be driven here for one year. Applications for driving licences and vehicle-related documents are handled by the Estonian Transport Administration, see their website for more information. 

People fleeing from other countries must first check whether their country of origin has signed the Geneva (1949) or Vienna (1968) road traffic conventions, as this will determine whether they can simply exchange their previous driving licence for an Estonian driving licence or whether they must pass the theory and driving test of the Transport Administration. 

Driving licences issued by countries that are party to the Geneva Convention (1949) can be exchanged only after passing a driving test and a theory test (for example, Syria and Sri Lanka).

In order to exchange a driving licence issued by a country which is party to the Vienna Convention (1968), you must go to the Transport Office and surrender your previous licence (e.g., Russia, Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, Palestine, Türkiye, Belarus). 

For more information, please visit the Estonian Transport Administration website and check sections dedicated to adapting foreign driving licences and car registering.

If you have fled to Estonia and may not be able to return to your country anytime soon, it is important that you register your right of stay or apply for a residence permit as soon as possible.  

As an adult, you can apply for Estonian citizenship if:

• you have resided in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or the right of residence, for at least eight years, of which five years have been permanent, before submitting your application;
• have a long-term resident's permit or permanent right of residence;
• your place of residence is registered in the population register of Estonia;
• you have passed the Estonian language proficiency examination at B1 level (this exam is not required, if you have acquired the basic, secondary or higher education in the Estonian language);
• you have passed the examination of knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act;
• you have a permanent legal income;
• you are loyal to the Estonian state;
• you have been (or will be) deprived of your nationality (or will be deprived of it by reason of acquiring Estonian nationality) or you are stateless. This requirement does not apply to beneficiaries of international protection whose situation in their country of origin has not changed.

You can apply for Estonian citizenship for a child under 15 years of age by:

• parents who have acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child;
• one parent who has acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child with the consent of the parent who is not an Estonian citizen (the consent can be provided in the Service Office);
• single parent who has acquired the Estonian citizenship after the birth of the child and is bringing up the child alone;
• the minor’s guardian who is an Estonian citizen;
• parents (or one parent with the consent of the other parent, or a parent who is bringing up the child alone), if they are applying for Estonian citizenship simultaneously.

A minor's guardian can apply for Estonian citizenship for a person under guardianship:

• who is at least 15 years of age;
• who has a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence;
• who has lived in Estonia, prior submitting an application, for at least eight years on the ground of a residence permit or by right of residence, of which at least the last five years on a permanent basis;whose place of residence has been registered in the population register of Estonia
• kelle elukoht on Eesti rahvastikuregistris registreeritud.

You can apply for Estonian citizenship in person, by using the reservation system, at the Police and Border Guard Board.

For foreigners aged 15 or over who have been officially resident in Estonia for five years and who wish to apply for Estonian citizenship, the Integration Foundation offers free language training up to level B1. Read more about it here.

The conditions for granting citizenship are set out in the Citizenship Act. 

Voluntary Return

Through the voluntary return programme, third-country nationals residing illegally in Estonia or those who have received an order to leave the country can receive assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to return to their home country. IOM provides help with obtaining travel documents, purchasing tickets, acquiring information about the situation in the country of origin, and offering financial and other types of support.

For more information, visit the International Organization for Migration's website.

Obligation to Leave Estonia

Foreign nationals must have a legal basis to reside in Estonia.

If a foreign national, who is not a citizen of a European Union member state, the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation, lacks a legal basis to stay in Estonia, they will receive an order to leave the country, and an entry ban will be enforced.
The Police and Border Guard Board provides counselling and support to those who have received an order to leave. Find out more on the Police and Border Guard Board website.