Estonia

SAFETY: good
The country is generally considered safe, thanks to a stable political and social situation and a normal level of petty crime. No areas are flagged as risky, but a degree of caution is advised in some outlying districts and around the port of Tallinn, where car thefts are on the rise.

TRANSPORT: adequate

More than 80% of the secondary road network is unpaved, which in winter or after heavy rain makes any journey uncomfortable and hazardous. The local railways offer a good service, as do domestic and international air links.

Main airports: Tallinn (Ulemiste).

Main ports: Kuivastu, Kunda Sadam, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu.

ACCOMMODATION: adequate

The choice is fairly wide and the opening of several new hotels has been announced.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Estonia – Location: Eastern Europe. Borders: Latvia to the south, Russia to the east, the Baltic Sea to the west, the Gulf of Finland to the north – Time zone: UTC+2, one hour ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 45,000 sq km – Capital: Tallinn – Population: 1,316,000 – Religion: 13.6% Lutheran, 12.8% Orthodox, 67.5% other religions, 6.1% non-religious – Languages: Estonian, Russian – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Euro– Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Sockets: two-pin Schuko type; bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days in any 6-month period. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen)– Driving: Italian driving licence – Cars: Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00372– GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standards: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: AS EMT, Elisa Eesti and Tele2 Eesti– Internet: fairly widespread and available throughout the country – Web domain: .ee– Emergency numbers: single emergency number 112; EAK roadside assistance 6979188.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: buying, selling and possessing drugs (soft and hard) is punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment. Sexual offences also carry 5 years’ imprisonment, and the sentence can be tripled for offences against minors. Paedophilia and child pornography are punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Homosexuality is legal, although there are no anti-discrimination laws on the matter and same-sex unions are not legally recognised.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations. Numerous cases of tick-borne encephalitis are recorded, so the relevant vaccination is recommended, subject to medical advice. The health situation is fair, but local facilities are below Western standards. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the treatment provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 24 February, Independence Day; Good Friday; 1 May, Labour Day; 23 June, Victory Day; 24 June, St John’s Day (Midsummer); 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00, Sat 9.00-13.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-13.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00.

CLIMATE: continental and humid, partly tempered by the influence of the Baltic Sea. Rainfall is spread throughout the year. Winters are harsh and often wet. In summer the weather is pleasant, with warm days and cool nights.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy and Consulate of Estonia
Viale Liegi 28– 00198 Rome– Tel. 06 84407510– Fax 06 844075119– Web: www.estemb.it – E-mail: embassy.rome@mfa.ee

Honorary Consulates

Via Lamarmora 55 – 50121 Florence – Tel. 055 58 09 55 / 58 83 13 – Fax 055 57 59 51 – E-mail: info@cecchinilaw.it

Via San Siro 10  – 16124 Genoa – Tel. 010 24 941 – Fax 010 24 94 232 – E-mail: ejk.dir@hugotrumpy.it

Via Cosimo del Fante 16 – 20122 Milan – Tel. 02 5832 5411 – Fax 02 5843 5105 – E-mail: consolatoestonia@barranco.it

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II n. 60 – 70122 Bari – Tel./Fax 080 521 6007 – E-mail: info@consolatoestonia.it

Via Jacopo Salamonio 3 – 30175 Marghera,  Venice – Tel. 041 509 0270 – Fax 041 926 865 – E-mail: venice@consulestonia.eu

Via Libica 19 – 91100 Trapani, Sicily – Tel. 0923 444 211 – Fax 0923 559 027 – E-mail: trapani@consulestonia.eu

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ESTONIA

Italian Embassy

Vene Street 2 – 15075 Tallinn – Tel. 00372 6276160 – Fax 00372 6311370 – Web: www.ambtallinn.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.tallinn@esteri.it

Estonian Tourist Board
Niguliste tn 2–Tallinn– Tel. 00372 6457777– Fax 00372 6457778– Web: www.visitestonia.com