Medicine & Veterinary Estonia

State Medical Insurance

State medical insurance applies to individuals for whom a social tax is paid (33% of salary, of which 13% goes for medical insurance). These include:

Employed under a labor contract: the employer pays the social tax for their employees.

Self-employed entrepreneurs: pay the social tax themselves.

Persons equated to insured:

Children up to 19 years old

Students: studying full-time in accredited educational institutions.

Pensioners: receiving a state pension in Estonia.

Pregnant women: from the moment the pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor or midwife.

Officially registered unemployed: registered with the Employment Office and receiving relevant benefits.

Dependent spouses: if the spouse of the insured person is raising a child under 8 years old or less than five years remain until the old-age pension.

The full list of categories of persons entitled to state medical insurance is available on the Employment Office website.

Voluntary Medical Insurance

Individuals not covered by the state insurance categories may conclude a voluntary medical insurance contract with the Health Insurance Fund. This allows access to medical services on the same terms as insured persons. To conclude such a contract, one must meet certain conditions and make contributions independently.

Supplementary (Private) Medical Insurance

In addition to state insurance, private medical insurance policies offered by various insurance companies are available in Estonia. Such policies may cover expenses not included in state insurance, such as:

Paid specialist doctor appointments: allow faster consultations without the need for a referral from a family doctor.

Dental services: including preventive check-ups and treatment.

Preventive examinations: regular health check-ups for early detection of diseases.

Rehabilitation services: physiotherapy and other recovery procedures.

Some employers provide their employees with additional medical insurance as a bonus, contributing to increased motivation and staff satisfaction.

Health Insurance for Foreigners

Foreign nationals residing in Estonia with a visa or residence permit are required to have health insurance. If they are not covered by the state insurance system, they may purchase private insurance policies that meet the requirements for obtaining or renewing a residence permit.

Checking Health Insurance Status

To check the status of your health insurance, you can use the state portal eesti.ee or contact the Health Insurance Fund by phone at +372 669 6630.

State Medical Institutions

State hospitals and clinics form the backbone of Estonia's healthcare system, providing a wide range of medical services. Major state hospitals include:

North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn: One of the largest hospitals in Estonia, offering a wide range of specialized medical services.

Tartu University Clinic, Tartu: A leading medical institution associated with the University of Tartu, offering advanced treatment and diagnostic methods.

East-Viru Central Hospital, Kohtla-Järve: The main hospital in the Ida-Viru County region, providing both emergency and planned medical care.

Pärnu Hospital, Pärnu: A multi-specialty hospital serving the residents of Pärnu and surrounding areas.

Viljandi Hospital, Viljandi: A regional hospital offering a wide range of medical services for residents of southern Estonia.

These institutions provide access to specialized and emergency medical care. Patients with state medical insurance can receive services in these hospitals with minimal or no additional expenses.

Private Medical Institutions

Private clinics and medical centers offer additional opportunities for obtaining medical services, often with shorter waiting times and an expanded range of services. Some of the leading private clinics in Estonia include:

Meliva, Tallinn: The largest network of private clinics in Estonia, offering a wide range of medical services, including family medicine, dentistry, and specialized care.

Confido Medical Center, Tallinn: Provides general and specialized medical services, as well as preventive check-ups and consultations.

Salu Health, Tallinn: Specializes in telemedicine services, offering online consultations with doctors in various languages.

Some private clinics have agreements with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, allowing patients with state insurance to receive certain services for free or at a reduced cost. For example, patients can get faster access to specialist doctors with the help of the hospital fund.

Accessibility of Medical Services for Foreigners

Foreign citizens residing in Estonia have access to medical services in both public and private institutions. With state health insurance through the Health Insurance Fund, they can receive services under the same conditions as Estonian citizens. In the absence of state insurance, it is recommended to purchase private health insurance or use the services of private clinics that offer various healthcare packages.

Registration with a Family Doctor

Choosing a Family Doctor: A patient has the right to choose any family doctor accepting new patients. A list of family doctors is available on the Health Insurance Fund website https://www.ervisekassa.ee/.

Application Submission: To register, one must fill out a standard application form and submit it to the selected family doctor in person, by mail, or by email. The application form can be found on the website https://www.ervisekassa.ee/.

Application Review: The family doctor must review the application within 7 business days. If there are available slots, the doctor will register the patient and notify them. In case of no availability, the doctor will also inform about the refusal.

Changing a Family Doctor: A patient has the right to change their family doctor by submitting a new application to another doctor. The previous doctor does not need to be notified.

Appointment with a Specialist

Referral from a Family Doctor: A referral from a family doctor is required to visit most specialists. Exceptions include, for example, dermatologists, gynecologists, and ophthalmologists, whom one can visit directly.

Choosing a Specialist: After obtaining a referral, the patient can choose a medical institution and specialist at their discretion. A list of institutions contracted with the Health Insurance Fund is available on the website https://www.ervisekassa.ee/.

Scheduling an Appointment:

By Phone: Contact the registration office of the chosen institution and arrange an appointment time.

Online: Many institutions offer the possibility of appointment scheduling through their websites or through the national portal eesti.ee. For this, electronic identification (ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID) is required.

Waiting Time: The waiting time may vary depending on the specialist's workload. For urgent consultations, the family doctor can note this in the referral.

Online Services and Electronic Services

Estonia is actively developing electronic services in the healthcare sector:

e-Tervis Patient Portal: Allows viewing of medical data, test results, and prescriptions. Available through digilugu.ee.

Electronic Prescriptions: Issued by a doctor and available in pharmacies upon presenting ID.

Electronic Registration: Some institutions offer online appointment booking through their sites or the portal eesti.ee.

In Estonia, emergency medical assistance is provided to all individuals within the country, regardless of citizenship and medical insurance status. Emergency assistance is provided in situations where delay or lack of medical intervention could lead to death or irreversible deterioration of the patient's health.

Emergency Medical Services

In the case of serious and acute conditions, such as severe injuries, acute illnesses, or poisonings, it is necessary to call emergency services at the unified emergency number 112. Ambulance services operate around the clock and are intended to provide urgent medical care outside of medical institutions.

Emergency Departments

If urgent care is needed, you can independently contact the nearest hospital emergency department. Emergency medical care is provided for free, but a fee of up to 5 euros may be charged for a visit. Note that the visit fee is not charged in the following cases:

Outpatient specialized medical care is provided to a pregnant woman.

Outpatient specialized medical care is provided to a child under two years old.

Following urgent outpatient specialized medical care, inpatient medical care is immediately provided.

The insured person was referred to a specialist by another healthcare worker of the same institution or by a doctor of the same specialty from another medical institution.

The Role of Family Doctors in Urgent Care

Family doctors also provide urgent care to individuals living or temporarily residing in their service area, even if they are not registered on the doctor's patient list. This ensures access to primary urgent care in the case of less serious conditions.

Family Doctors' Consultative Line

In situations where medical advice is needed but the condition is not critical, you can contact the family doctors' consultative line at 1220 (for calls from abroad: +372 634 6630). Medical consultations are provided 24/7 in Estonian and Russian; English consultations are available daily from 15:00 to 17:00.

Consulting a Family Doctor

The family doctor is the first point of contact in Estonia's healthcare system. If you encounter health problems, it is recommended to first contact your family doctor. The family doctor will conduct an initial examination and, if necessary, refer you for appropriate tests or to a specialist.

Referral for Tests and Examinations

After assessing your health condition, the family doctor may issue a referral for laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, urinalysis) or instrumental examinations (ultrasounds, X-rays, etc.). These services are typically provided in medical institutions that have contracts with the Health Insurance Fund.

Making an Appointment

By phone: Contact the chosen medical institution to arrange an appointment time.

Online: Many institutions offer the option to schedule appointments through their websites or via the Health Portal. For this, you must have electronic identification (ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID).

Health Portal

The health portal consolidates health information into one site. Through it, you can view your medical data, test results, and documents. Access to the portal is secured using an ID card or Mobile-ID.

Private Medical Services

Besides public institutions, Estonia has private clinics offering a wide range of medical services, including tests and examinations. Services in private clinics may be chargeable, but some have agreements with the Health Insurance Fund, which allows covering part of the expenses.

Independent Test Submission

In some cases, patients can independently contact laboratories for specific tests without a doctor's referral. However, it is recommended to consult with your family doctor first to receive recommendations and assess the necessity of such tests.

Receiving Results

Test and examination results are usually available within a few days. They can be received personally at the medical institution or viewed online through the Health Portal. If needed, the family doctor will explain the results and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Service Costs

For insured individuals, most necessary tests and examinations are covered by the Health Insurance Fund. However, a small fee may be charged for visits or additional services in some cases. For uninsured individuals, services are chargeable, so obtaining health insurance is recommended to reduce costs.

In Estonia, there are numerous laboratories offering services for tests and examinations. Among the most popular are: SYNLAB Estonia, Medicum Labor, Quattromed HTI Laboratories, Confido Medical Center, Ida-Tallinna Keskhaigla Labor, and Perearstikeskuste Laborid.

Health Insurance

Pregnant women residing in Estonia are entitled to state medical insurance, even if they were not previously insured. To obtain this, you need to submit an application to the Health Insurance Fund and a certificate from a doctor or midwife confirming the pregnancy. Insurance takes effect once the data is entered into the registry and is valid until three months after the expected delivery date.

If you are not eligible for state insurance, it is recommended to obtain private medical insurance to cover expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Choosing a Hospital and Doctor

In Estonia, you can choose any maternity ward regardless of your place of residence. Popular maternity hospitals include:

Women's Clinic at East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn: Offers a full range of pregnancy and childbirth services, including preparatory courses and postpartum care.

Pelgulinna Maternity Hospital at West Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn: Known for its personal approach and the option of choosing a personal doctor or midwife.

Women's Clinic of the University of Tartu Hospital, Tartu: Offers modern birthing conditions and highly qualified staff.

You can discuss the choice of a doctor or midwife during your first visit to the chosen facility. In Estonia, midwives play a significant role in managing pregnancy and childbirth, providing professional support at all stages.

Preparatory Courses: Many hospitals and medical centers offer courses on childbirth preparation, where topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care are discussed.

Birth Planning: Discuss with your doctor or midwife the birth plan, including preferences for pain management methods, partner presence, and other aspects. Some hospitals offer personal doctor or midwife services for an additional fee.

Necessary Documents and Preparation: Before giving birth, prepare the necessary documents: ID card, pregnancy card, insurance policy, and others recommended by your medical institution. Also, pack items for your hospital stay, considering the recommendations of the selected maternity hospital.

Vaccination of Newborns

In Estonia, newborn vaccination is voluntary but strongly recommended by the Ministry of Social Affairs and medical institutions. The country has a national vaccination schedule covering major vaccine-preventable diseases. Parents have the right to refuse vaccination but should be informed about the potential consequences of such a decision. Refusal of vaccination does not affect the child's access to medical services, education, or other state services. Vaccines included in the national vaccination schedule are provided free of charge to all children insured in the state medical insurance system.

The first vaccination is administered at the maternity hospital: against hepatitis B — recommended within the first 24 hours of life; against tuberculosis — conducted in case of increased risk of the disease.

Subsequent Vaccinations: Vaccination continues according to the national immunization schedule starting from 2 months of age. Includes vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), rotavirus, and pneumococcus.

Notifying Authorities

Medical Institution: If death occurs in a hospital, medical staff will notify the relevant authorities and issue a medical certificate of death.

Police: In case of sudden or unnatural death, it is necessary to immediately report to the police by calling 112.

Registration of Death

The death of a foreign citizen without an Estonian personal code is registered at the civil registry office. An application for registration must be submitted within seven days after the death or discovery of the body.

Necessary Documents

- Medical certificate of death.

- Identity document of the deceased (passport or other identification document).

- Identity document of the applicant (relative or representative).

- For cremation, it is necessary to obtain permission from local authorities or a notary; in cases of sudden or unnatural death, a forensic examination conclusion is required; a statement from relatives or a legal representative consenting to the cremation.

Notification of the embassy

It is recommended to contact the embassy or consulate of the deceased's country to receive advice and assistance in arranging body repatriation or handling legal matters.

Organization of funeral, cremation, or repatriation

Funeral homes: In Estonia, specialized companies are operational that provide services for funeral and repatriation arrangements. They will assist with the necessary documentation, body transportation, and other aspects.

International funeral services: If body repatriation is required, it is recommended to contact companies specializing in international funeral services, both in Estonia and in the destination country.

Cremation: There are several crematories in Estonia, including the largest in Tallinn, located at the Metsakalmistu cemetery. Crematories provide services directly or through funeral homes.

Financial aspects

The costs of organizing a funeral or repatriation are usually borne by the relatives of the deceased. If there is an insurance policy covering such cases, it is advisable to contact the insurance company to clarify compensation conditions.

Additional recommendations

Document translation: Documents issued in a foreign language may require translation into Estonian. In some cases, an apostille or legalization of documents may be required.

Consultation: If questions arise, it is recommended to seek advice from a lawyer specializing in international law or the appropriate government institutions.

Rabies vaccination: Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats in Estonia.

Identification (microchipping): Microchipping is mandatory for all dogs and cats, especially when moving across borders. The microchip must comply with ISO standards and be registered in the appropriate database. When traveling to other EU countries, including Estonia, the presence of a microchip is mandatory.

Animal registration

Tallinn: Mandatory registration of all pets has been introduced in the capital. Owners are required to record information about their pets in the city registry.

Other regions: Registration requirements may vary; it is recommended to check local rules.

Additional requirements for importing animals into Estonia

Rabies antibody titer test: Starting from September 16, 2024, when importing dogs and cats from Russia and Belarus, the presence of a rabies antibody titer test is required. This rule also applies to trips from Estonia to these countries with subsequent return.

Age restrictions: Importing puppies and kittens younger than seven months from the specified countries is prohibited.

Pet hotels

Pet hotels offer temporary accommodation for pets during the owners' absence. They provide care, feeding, and, if necessary, medical supervision. Some popular pet hotels in Estonia: PetCity, Lemmikute Hotell, Pühade.

Animal shelters

Shelters are involved in rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding new homes for homeless animals. They may also provide information and support to pet owners. Here are some of them: Varjupaikade MTÜ, Loomade Hoiupaik, Pesaleidja MTÜ, Päite Varjupaik.

Recommendations for pet owners

Booking: It is recommended to book a place in a pet hotel in advance, especially during holidays and vacations.

Documents: Ensure your pet has the necessary vaccinations and documents, as many pet hotels require them.

Visit: Before placing your pet, it is advisable to visit the chosen pet hotel or shelter to familiarize yourself with the conditions and ensure they meet your expectations.

Identification and registration

Microchipping: All dogs and cats must be marked with a microchip that complies with ISO standards.

Registration: Owners are required to register their pets in the relevant databases.

Vaccination

Conducting mandatory (rabies) and recommended vaccinations (parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis for dogs, as well as panleukopenia for cats).

Conditions of keeping

Living conditions: Animals must be kept in conditions that ensure their physical and mental well-being. This includes adequate space, access to clean water and quality food, as well as regular physical exercise.

Hygiene: It is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the pet’s habitat, regularly clean up after them, and provide timely veterinary care.

Movement and walking

Leash and muzzle: When walking in public places, dogs must be on a leash. For certain breeds or in specific areas, using a muzzle may be required.

Transportation: When transporting animals, it is necessary to observe safety rules, ensuring their comfort and preventing possible injuries.

Owner's responsibility

Training and socialization: Owners must provide proper training and socialization of their pets to prevent aggressive or undesirable behavior.

Compliance with the law: It is necessary to comply with local laws and regulations concerning the keeping of animals, including registration, vaccination, and walking rules.

Traveling with pets

Documents: When traveling with animals, you must have a veterinary passport with vaccination marks and, if necessary, test results.

Entry requirements: When importing animals into Estonia from other countries, the established requirements must be met, including age restrictions and the presence of certain vaccinations.

Animal welfare

Legislation: Estonia has laws aimed at protecting animals from cruelty and ensuring their welfare. Violation of these laws may result in administrative or criminal liability.