Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a small, innovative country in Northern Europe, located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It shares borders with Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, and maritime borders with Finland to the north and Sweden to the west. It is known for being one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world (e.g., e-residency, online voting), with over 50% of the nation covered by forest (along with many lakes, islands, and national parks), a mix of Nordic, Baltic, German, and Russian influences, modern infrastructure, low corruption, and a strong emphasis on education and technology.
Its capital, Tallinn, is the largest city in the country, located on the northern coast along the Gulf of Finland. Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe (with the heritage site, Old Town, that has cobblestone streets, medieval walls, churches, and towers), yet also being called the 'Silicon Valley of Europe'; a thriving tech hub that is home to companies like Skype. It is popular for its blend of historical charm and modern lifestyle, with vibrant cafés, museums, festivals, and sea views.
UTC+2 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Storms, which can cause coastal flooding and damage, and forest fires.
Traffic and driving offences in Estonia include:
Authorities may issue an on-the-spot warning or impose a cautionary fine. Ignoring a small fine for an minor infraction (e.g., ~€12) may trigger enforcement measures such as adding €30 or more in fees, and possible freezing on Estonian bank accounts (which fines plus fees can multiply rapidly).
Other violations include:
The official language of Estonia is Estonian, but Russian and English are also spoken.
Vehicles drive on the right in Estonia, while overtaking is on the left. The minimum driving age is 18, while the renting age is generally 19, with some suppliers requiring 21 or older, depending on the car category. Drivers must hold an valid licence for at least 1–2 years depending on provider, and a young-driver surcharge may be applied to drivers under 25. UK licence holders don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for short visits to Estonia, unless if you hold an old-style paper licence or one issued in Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Headlights must be on at all times, day or night, watch out for deer and moose in rural areas, especially at dawn or dusk, vehicles inside roundabouts have priority, pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings, and from December to March, winter tires are mandatory.
E10 (95 octane), E5 (98 octane), Diesel and LPG are common in petrol stations, along with cleaner options like compressed biomethane (green gas) and compressed natural gas (CNG). Payment can be done at the pump or via mobile apps like Cloudics and Elenger, which often allow for automatic vehicle detection and payment using your registered license plate and payment card.
The legal limit is 0.02%.
Required for all occupants.
All children under 12 years old or under 135cm must use a suitable child restraint system, like a car seat or booster seat.