About Estonia

Climate

The climate in Tallinn is characterized by a fairly cold winter, a cool spring with little precipitation, a moderately warm summer and a long and rainy autumn. However, some summers have weeks at a stretch of temperatures around +30°C, and a warm, sunny summer can keep autumn at bay until mid-October. Average low temperature in June in Tallinn is +10°C and average high temperature +19°C. Tallinn weather forecast in the Internet: www.weather.ee/tallinn or here.

Time

Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours. The time Zone Converter is available here

Population

The population of Tallinn is 453 328 (01.10.2018). Nationalities living in Tallinn: Estonian 53.2%, Russian 38%, Ukrainian 3.4%, other 5,3%.

Language

Estonian's official language is Estonian. Russian, Finnish, English and German are also understood and widely spoken. Here you will find online English-Estonian dictionary

Customs

A Customs Guide for travellers to Estonia can be found at www.customs.ee.

Tax Free Shopping

Travellers residing outside the European Union are entitled to claim back the VAT/GST on purchases, if exported from the European Union within three months plus months of purchase. Total sales price of the goods purchased must be at least 38,36 EUR (incl. VAT) in a store per day. Stores offering Tax Free Shopping service are displaying well-known Tax Free logo. A store will provide special Refund Cheque, which must be presented together with a passport and purchased goods to customs official for export verification when leaving the European Union. Purhcased goods must be exported in an unused condition. Check refund options from www.global-blue.com. 

Currency Exchange

The currency in Estonia is EUR. 1 Euro = 100 cents. Most larger hotels, stores and restaurants accept Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Diner’s Club and American Express. However, it is advisable to carry some cash with you. Traveller’s checks can be exchanged in most banks but are less likely to be accepted in shops. Eurocheque is the most widely accepted traveller’s check, but American Express and Thomas Cook are also accepted.

Banks are plentiful and easy to find in Tallinn. Most are open from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, while some offices are also open on Saturday mornings. All banks offer currency exchange services. Exchange offices can also be found in larger hotels, the airport, harbour, railroad station and major shopping centres.

Communications

To call Tallinn from abroad, dial your international access code and 372 for Estonia and then the telephone number. Calling abroad, dial 00 and the country code.

Internet

Public Internet access points have been set up all over Estonia. They are located in local libraries and post offices. There are over 100 free wireless Internet zones around the country, many of them in rather unexpected places - beaches, Old Town squares, stadiums, and concert halls. Find here a map of free Wi-Fi hotspots around Tallinn hosted by City of Tallinn.

Medical Services

For entry into Estonia no vaccinations or health certificates are required. Health insurance policy is optional, but strongly recommended when travelling. Pharmacies are usually open from 10:00-19:00, but two of them stay open all night (Südameapteek, address: Tõnismägi 5, ph: +372 644 2282 and Vikerlase 16, ph: +372 638 4338). Pharmacies in Shopping Centres are usually open from 9:00-21:00. Ordinary medication is available in all pharmacies. In case of an accident or sudden illness, call for an ambulance free-of-charge from any phone: 112.

Police

Free-of-charge call to the police from any phone is available in the number: 112.

Power Supply

The electricity current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.