GoEstonia Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa Notice

Estonia is a Schengen Agreement country, and Chinese mainland citizens holding ordinary passports (including official passports) need to apply for Schengen visas to travel to Estonia. Holders of diplomatic passports or Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region passports who enter Estonia and stay for no more than 90 days are exempt from visa requirements. Those who come to work or study in Estonia for more than 90 days need to apply for a long-term (D category) visa.

Although holding a Schengen visa allows for visa free travel to other Schengen countries, when applying for a Schengen visa, it is important to note that if the travel plan includes multiple Schengen countries, one should apply for a visa from the embassy of the main destination country in China. If the length of stay in each Schengen country is the same, one should apply for a visa from the embassy of the first Schengen country they intend to visit in China.

To apply for an Estonian Schengen visa, specific requirements can be found on the website of the Estonian Embassy in China at: https://beijing.mfa.ee/

Please note that holding a Schengen visa issued by a diplomatic institution of a country in China does not necessarily mean unconditional entry from other Schengen countries. Check the visa information carefully after receiving the visa, and try to avoid adjusting the itinerary and travel destination after receiving the visa. When entering the country, relevant documents that can fully prove the itinerary must be carried, such as hotel reservations, round-trip connecting tickets, travel insurance, income proof, etc., for border law enforcement inspection. The materials held must be true, valid, and consistent with the materials submitted when applying for a visa.

2、 Entry Notice

Entry into Estonia from Schengen area countries does not require border checks. When entering from non Schengen countries, the main routes are through Tallinn Meri International Airport and the Narva border crossing. When Chinese citizens enter Estonia, they must carry a valid passport, visa, or Estonian residence permit, as well as visa related proof materials, with them for border immigration officials to inspect. Do not put these materials in checked baggage. Chinese citizens should cooperate with the border inspection department when handling entry procedures, truthfully answer inquiries, and at the request of the other party, present round-trip airfare, as well as admission notices, invitation letters, financial proof, or contact information related to the purpose of entry. If you apply for a Schengen visa at diplomatic missions of other Schengen countries in China, please verify the type of visa and other entry regulations of the Schengen area with the visa issuing agency before departure, in order to avoid being denied entry or revoked due to reasons such as visa type not matching the travel purpose when entering Estonia.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1、 Customs requirements

When entering from non Schengen countries, the items that need to be declared (please use the red channel when entering) include:

1. If the total value of cash (such as euros, US dollars, Chinese yuan, etc.) or equivalent negotiable securities (such as traveler's checks, etc.) is equal to or exceeds 10000 euros, please make sure to declare it to customs before entering or leaving the country. If it is found that there is no declaration or the declared content is false, the customs has the right to confiscate the excess amount and impose a fine based on the total amount of cash carried. Special reminder: When clearing customs in a group, the amount of cash carried is based on the actual amount carried by each individual, and is not calculated based on the average number of group members. Please avoid having one person in the group carry the entire group's cash.

Carrying goods worth over 430 euros;

When entering by land, carry more than 40 cigarettes, 100 small cigars, 50 cigars, 50 grams of tobacco, 20 milliliters of liquid, or 120 grams of snuff; When entering by air, carry more than 200 cigarettes, 100 small cigars, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 20 milliliters of liquid, or 120 grams of snuff;

3. Alcoholic beverages exceeding 1 liter (with an alcohol content exceeding 22%) or exceeding 2 liters (with an alcohol content below 22%), wine exceeding 4 liters, or beer exceeding 16 liters; (It is not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages produced in Russia or originating from Russia)

The items prohibited from entering and leaving Estonia are:

Firearms, ammunition, special equipment for law enforcement and special forces; Gas bullets, canned tear gas or anesthetic gas; Explosives and fireworks products; Hormones and blood products, vaccines; Toxic or radioactive substances or materials; Communication equipment (devices that emit high-frequency signals); Various counterfeit and inferior goods, such as clothing, shoes, watches, etc; Pirated items, including various pirated CDs and audiovisual products (it is recommended to keep the shopping receipts of the purchased CDs and audiovisual products); Diamonds, gemstones (excluding those carried and worn with you), and rare metals; Products containing pornographic and obscene images of minors; Drugs; Controlled knives; Cultural relics over 50 years old (up to the time of exit); Alien species that may damage the local ecosystem.

For specific regulations related to Estonian customs, please refer to their website:

https://www.emta.ee/en/private-client/consignments-travel-settlement/travel/third-country-estonia

Tallinn Airport in Estonia has a tax refund service, and Chinese citizens must meet the following conditions to apply for a tax refund: the purchase amount of the goods exceeds 38 euros, and the invoice for the goods must not exceed 3 months.

2、 Entry quarantine process

Epidemic prevention requirements: Estonia has no special regulations on entry quarantine for Chinese citizens.

3、 Requirements for animal and plant inspection and quarantine

Animals, plants, and their products prohibited from entering and leaving Estonia include: meat products and dairy products (excluding unpackaged medical infant dairy products and baby food, with a maximum of 2 kilograms per person); Birds, live fish, bees, livestock and poultry food, animal feed, leather products, natural fur, honey and beeswax, plants and plant-based foods.

Pets entering Estonia must be implanted with identity chips or have clear identification marks; There must be identification documents, rabies vaccination certificates, and other necessary procedures. Relevant regulations can be found at:

https://pta.agri.ee/en/animals/travelling-pet

4、 Common contact information

Estonian Taxation and Customs Service hotline: 00372-8800810 or 8800814, email: tollinfo@emta.ee , URL: https://www.emta.ee/

Tallinn Airport Information Desk Phone: 00372-6058888, Website: https://www.tallinn-airport.ee/en/

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Nationality and Immigration Policy

According to the Estonian Nationality Law, individuals with Estonian nationality cannot simultaneously hold the nationality of another country. Estonian nationality can be obtained through birth, but it must be met that both or at least one of the parents were Estonian at the time of birth; Estonian citizenship can be obtained through naturalization; Nationality lost during adolescence can be restored, but it is lost in the event of withdrawal or deprivation of Estonian nationality or acceptance of another nationality. Anyone who was born with Estonian citizenship and also obtained citizenship of another country must renounce Estonian citizenship or renounce citizenship of another country within three years after reaching the age of 18.

The requirements for obtaining Estonian citizenship include: having long-term or permanent residency; At least 8 years of residency in Ai, and after submitting the citizenship application, continuous residency in Ai for 5 years is still required; Passing the Estonian language exam; Passing the exams for the Estonian Constitution and Nationality Law; Having long-term or permanent legal income in love; Registered residence in Love; Loyal to the Republic of Estonia.

2、 Residence policy and related procedures

Foreigners can stay in Aioi legally with valid visas and residence permits. Before the visa expires, if there are legitimate reasons, one can apply for a visa extension at the police and border defense bureau. Residence permits are divided into short-term residence permits and permanent residence permits. Marrying a citizen, working in Ai, or studying abroad can apply for a short-term residence permit, which needs to be extended upon expiration. Foreigners who have applied for a short-term residence permit in Aioi for five consecutive years, have a fixed legal income in Aioi, have purchased medical insurance, and have a fixed and registered residence in Aioi can apply for a permanent residence permit only after passing the B1 Estonian language examination.

The Police and Border Protection Bureau are responsible for examining and approving foreigners' applications for short-term residence permits and permanent residence permits. Due to the different reasons for applying for residence, the required application materials are also different. Foreigners should consult with the Love Police and the Border Protection Bureau in advance when applying. In general, Chinese citizens who apply for short-term residence for the first time need to submit materials to the Embassy of Ireland in China, which is responsible for forwarding them to the police and border defense bureau for approval.

Specific inquiries can be made to the Estonian Police and Border Guard:

Phone: 00372-6123000

website: https://www2.politsei.ee/en/teenused/residence-permit/

3、 Special Reminder:

The approval process for studying and working residence permits in Estonia is relatively long, and generally requires submission of the application 2-3 months in advance.

Estonia's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

1、 Overall situation

The overall security situation in Estonia is relatively good, with fewer malignant cases occurring. However, as in other countries, theft and pickpocketing cases also frequently occur in public transportation and crowded places such as Tallinn.

2、 Preventive measures

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you and take good care of your belongings when going to crowded places. Try to minimize going out alone late at night. Do not put important documents such as bank cards, domestic ID cards, and passports with cash. It is best to carry copies of the front page and visa page of your passport with you when going out.

3、 Report to the police

In the event of an accident, promptly report to the police, explaining the situation, location, name of the reporter, whether there are any injuries, the condition of the injuries, and whether emergency treatment has been provided.

natural disaster

1、 Major natural disasters

Major natural disasters rarely occur, but winter is relatively cold with occasional blizzards, causing inconvenience for travel.

2、 Preventive measures

When traveling to Estonia in winter, please prepare warm clothing and non slip shoes. In case of a snowstorm, please reduce your outings.

FDA

The food hygiene is good.

Urgent Help

Emergency hotline in Estonia (including medical, fire, and security alarm numbers): 112.

Contact number of the Chinese Embassy in Estonia: 00372-6015830 (working days)

24-hour insurance hotline: 00372-5114016

Email: tallinn@csm.mfa.gov.cn

air traffic

1、 International flight situation in Estonia

The capital Tallinn has opened international flights with more than 30 cities in the world. The main operating airlines are Polish Airlines, Finnish Airlines, Ryanair, Türkiye Airlines, Russian Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, and Polish Airlines. Currently, there are no direct flights to China. Chinese citizens traveling to and returning to Ireland need to transit through other countries, such as Frankfurt, Helsinki, Stockholm, Vienna, and Warsaw.

2、 Main airport situation

Tallinn Meri International Airport is the largest international airport in Estonia (IATA code: TLL）， About a 10 minute drive from the city center, you can take a taxi, tram, or bus. The airport has opened routes to European cities such as Helsinki, Riga, Stockholm, Moscow, Paris, London, Frankfurt, etc. In addition to Tallinn, there are also airports in Tartu, Kuresare, Parnu and other places.

3、 Common contact information

Tallinn Airport Information Desk Phone: 00372-6058888

land transport

1、 Highway and railway conditions

The main modes of transportation in Estonia are highways and railways. The road transportation is very convenient, and the road conditions between Tallinn and major cities are good. In addition, road transportation also provides access to surrounding cities such as Riga and St. Petersburg. Love Railway has trains to major cities in love, and in summer there are international trains to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

2、 Public transportation such as cars and trains

Tallinn city has intercity buses to love cities such as Tartu and Narva, as well as international buses to Riga, Vilnius, and St. Petersburg. Love Train mainly operates freight services, while passenger services are mainly concentrated in larger cities such as Tartu. The road surface of Love Road is in good condition and the traffic order is orderly, but the snow on the road surface is deeper in winter.

3、 Car rental and self driving situation

Holding a mainland Chinese driver's license is not allowed to drive in Ireland, and Chinese tourists must drive with a license recognized by Ireland. To drive a domestically licensed vehicle to Ireland, it is necessary to complete the vehicle entry procedures in advance and the driver must hold a driver's license from an officially recognized country. Please refer to the specific list of countries and regions:

https://www.transpordiamet.ee/en/mobility-and-transportation/driving-licence-and-right-drive

4、 Traffic safety precautions

Estonia is a left-hand drive country. When driving, special attention should be paid to pedestrian crossings. When encountering pedestrians crossing, it is necessary to stop and give way. Pedestrians should not run red lights when going out. According to Estonian traffic regulations, if a pedestrian runs a red light and causes a traffic accident, the driver will not be liable for any compensation. Love has strict enforcement against drunk driving and speeding, and violators will face high fines or be sent to court for processing. In urban areas, the speed limit for cars is 50 kilometers per hour, 90 kilometers per hour on open roads, and 110 kilometers per hour on some highways in summer. Passengers must wear seat belts (including rear seats). From December to March of the following year, cars need to replace their winter tires.

5、 Common contact information:

1. Lux Express (Bus Company): https://luxexpress.eu/en/

2. Eurolines (Bus Company): www.eurolines.lt/en

3. Elron (train ticket reservation): www.elron.ee/en/

water communication

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is adjacent to the Baltic Sea and has daily ferries to Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. It takes about 2 hours by boat from Tallinn to Helsinki, and about 16 hours by boat from Tallinn to Stockholm. Tallink and Viking Line operate several round-trip passenger ships from Tallinn to Helsinki every day, and there are also passenger ships to cities along the Baltic Sea such as Stockholm. When purchasing a ticket, valid identification is required, and Chinese citizens need to provide their passport and visa.

Talink Company website: www.tallink.com

Urban transportation

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has developed public transportation with a high coverage of bus and tram routes. It is very convenient to travel by public transportation, and Tallinn citizens can take it for free. For the convenience of tourists, there are also tourist bus routes in Tallinn during summer, and tourists can take the double decker buses on these routes to explore the scenery of Tallinn.

Tourists can take public transportation online in advance（ https://tallinn.pilet.ee/buy ）Purchase tickets or purchase tickets directly from the driver after boarding the train. You can also purchase daily, three-day, weekly, and monthly tickets for public transportation as needed. Ticket holders can take any public transportation in Tallinn within the specified time period.

In most towns, public transportation services are available from 06:00 to 24:00.

Taking a taxi in Estonia requires advance booking through mobile applications or phone calls. Except for large public places such as airports, hotels, and shopping malls where taxis are waiting for customers, it is difficult to intercept taxis on the roadside. Tallinn taxi booking hotline:+ 372 612 0000+ 372 640 8921.

Estonia does not have a subway system.

major city

1、 Tallinn

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is located in the northwest of Estonia, bordering the Baltic Sea and facing the Finnish capital Helsinki across the sea, with a distance of only 80 kilometers. Tallinn is the largest city of love, serving as a political, economic, cultural, and transportation center. The city is divided into 8 districts, with a total area of 158 square kilometers and a population of approximately 462000.

The Old Town of Tallinn has a long history. In 1997, UNESCO listed the Old Town of Tallinn on the World Heritage List. In 2011, the European Union designated Tallinn as the "European Capital of Culture" city. The main universities include Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, Estonian Academy of Music and Drama, Estonian Business School, and Estonian Academy of Arts.

2、 Tartu

Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia, located on the banks of the Emajorgi River in western Estonia, 185 kilometers away from Tallinn, with a population of approximately 98000. The oldest and most famous university in Estonia, the University of Tartu, is located in the city.

Commodity prices

Estonia has sufficient supply of goods and high-quality meat and dairy products, but there are few varieties of vegetables. In addition to domestic production, most of them are imported from other EU countries. The price level is at a moderate level within the European Union. Shopping centers, large chain supermarkets, and small commercial outlets are scattered everywhere. Chinese citizens can use Euro cash, Visa or MasterCard credit cards, or other international bank debit cards for payment. UnionPay cards are not yet widely used in China. The euro is a circulating currency of love.

medical insurance

Estonia has good medical conditions and complete hospital facilities. Both Chinese citizens and foreign citizens with a residence permit are required to have medical insurance and enjoy free medical care. The cost of self funded medical treatment is relatively high.

Foreigners who go to study and work in Ireland (with the Love Residence Permit) need to purchase local medical insurance every year, and enjoy free medical services according to relevant regulations after purchase. Foreigners who go to love temporarily can choose to buy international medical insurance or other travel insurance involving medical treatment in China.

1、 Common diseases and treatments

There are no typical diseases in the local area, and common illnesses such as colds are the main ones. When going to Ireland, it is advisable to bring cold medicine appropriately. When traveling to forests, lakes, and wetlands in summer, bring topical mosquito and insect repellent medications.

2、 Main hospitals and pharmacies

Main public hospitals: East Tallinn Central Hospital, West Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn Children's Hospital, and North Estonia Medical Center.

3、 Special Reminder:

In case of emergency requiring medical services, please do not directly contact the hospital. You can call the 112 emergency rescue hotline, and the medical service department will choose the hospital according to the situation.

Most of the drugs in pharmacies need to be purchased with local prescriptions, and a certain amount of commonly used drugs for personal use can be prepared before going to Estonia (in accordance with the relevant regulations for bringing drugs into Estonia).

Customs taboos

1、 Holidays and festivals

Estonia implements a 5-day workweek with weekends off. The main festivals are:

New Year's Day (January 1st)

Independence Day (February 24th)

Victory Day (June 23rd)

Midsummer Festival (June 24th)

Independence Day (August 20th)

Christmas (December 24-25)

2、 Common Etiquette

Ordinary friends mainly shake hands when meeting, and do not like too much physical contact. In public places, apart from family members, they rarely hug or kiss each other when meeting. Estonians have a strong sense of time.

3、 Main customs and habits

Mainly adhering to Protestant Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Catholicism. The public loves music and dance, and holds concerts, singing festivals, or dance festivals every year in various places.

4、 Main taboos

Estonians have a more introverted personality and prefer quietness. Please do not make loud noises in public places.

Communications Power

1、 Internet

The information and communication technology is advanced, and the level of e-government development is relatively high. High Internet coverage, free wireless network coverage is available in many public areas such as airports, hotels and restaurants.

2、 Telephone and international/domestic dialing methods

Both local landline and mobile phones in Estonia can make international calls to domestic calls. The method is as follows:

To make a domestic landline call, please provide the country code, area code, and phone number. For example, to make a call to Beijing, please provide 0086+10+landline number

Dial domestic mobile phone, country code+phone number 0086+phone number

Chinese mobile phones can be used directly in Aike by purchasing non real name prepaid phone cards and recharge cards from local telecom operators.

3、 Power supply

The power interface in Estonia is a European standard interface (two-phase round plug), and a conversion plug is required to use domestic appliances. The standard voltage is 220 volts.

4、 Information and emergency assistance

Information about Estonian government departments, institutions, and political parties can be obtained through http://www.eesti.ee/eng Search. The emergency hotline (for reporting to the police, medical emergency, fire alarm) is 112.

contact information