Moving to Estonia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

1,202,762

Population Growth Rate

-0.66%

Urban Population

69.500000

Population in Major Urban Areas

TALLINN (capital) 400,000

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Age Structure

16.120000

Median Age

41.000000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

10

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

13.65

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.45

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

63.4%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

63.4%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

26.3

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.3

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.060000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-3.35

Ethnic Groups

Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6%

Nationality Noun

Estonian(s)

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Literacy - total population

99.8%

Literacy - male

99.8%

Literacy - female

99.8%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.7%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

17.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

73.820000

Infant Mortality Rate

6.820000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

6.820000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

2

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

3.34

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

5.3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

Intermediate

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.6%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.800000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

95.800000

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Economic Overview

Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks.

Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.

The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia.

The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago.

For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017.

Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.

Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains.

The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.

Industries

Food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$47,440,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$38,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$23,480,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 51.2% Government
• consumption: 20.9% Investment in fixed
• capital: 24.3% Investment in
• inventories: -1% Exports of goods and
• services: 79.2% Imports of goods and
• services: -74.6%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

3.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

28.1%

GDP by Sector- services

68.4%

Industrial Growth Rate

3.2%

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Inflation Rate

0.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

0.8985

Currency Name and Code

Euros (EUR)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

4.8%

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Labor Force

651,200

Unemployment Rate

6.5%

Major Industries

Food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications

Agriculture Products

• Grain, potatoes, vegetables
• livestock and dairy products
• fish

Population Below Poverty Line

21.6%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

3.9%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

28.4%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

67.7%

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Annual Budget

$9,559,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

9.7%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-0.2%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

40.7%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Estonia

Country Name

Estonia

Local - Long

Eesti Vabariik

Local - Short

Eesti

Former Name

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR)

Etymology- history of name

The country name may derive from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D.

Independence

• 24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia)
• 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union)
• 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)

National Holiday

• Independence Day, 24 February (1918)
• note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood
• 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union restoring its statehood

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Government Type

Parliamentary republic

Constitution

• History: several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992, entered into force 3 July 1992
• Amendments: proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the "General Provisions" and "Amendment of the Constitution" chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015

Legal System:

Civil law system

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021)
• head of government: Prime Minister Kristen MICHAL (since 23 July 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament election/appointment
• process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the most votes; if a president is still not elected, the process begins again; prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament most recent election
• date: 30-31 August 2021
• election results: 2021: Alar KARIS (independent) elected president; won second round of voting in parliament with 72 of 101 votes 2016: Kersti KALJULAID elected president; won sixth round of voting in parliament with 81 of 98 votes (17 ballots blank); KALJULAID sworn in on 10 October 2016 - first female head of state of Estonia expected date of next
• election: 2026

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: Last held on 5 March 2023; next elections 7 March 2027
• Election Results: 2023: percent of vote by party - Reform 31.2%, EKRE 16.1%, Center 15.3%, E200 13.3%, SDE 9.3%, Pro Patria 8.2%, Left 2.4%, Right 2.3%, Greens 1.0%; seats by party - Reform 37, EKRE 17, Center 16, E200 14, SDE 9, Pro Patria 8;
• Composition: men 71, women 30, percent of women 29.7%

Judicial Branch:

• office: The chief justice is proposed by the president of the republic and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices are proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life
• Subordinate courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts

Regions or States:

15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald) Urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru Rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS]
• Estonia 200 [Kristina KALLAS]
• Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Martin HELME]
• Estonian Greens (Greens/EFA) [Marko KAASIK & Johanna Maria TOUGU]
• Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS]
• Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER]
• Social Democratic Party or SDE [Lauri LAANEMETS]

Suffrage:

• 18 years of age
• universal
• age 16 for local elections

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: No Citizenship by descent
• only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia Dual citizenship
• recognized: No Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Tallinn

Capital - geographic coordinate

59 26 N, 24 43 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• Australia Group
• BA
• BIS
• CBSS
• CD
• CE
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• EMU
• ESA (cooperating state)
• EU
• FAO
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IEA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NATO
• NIB
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OECD
• OIF (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• Schengen Convention
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNTSO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador George P. KENT (since 21 February 2023)
• Embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
• Mailing Address: 4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC 20521-4530
• Telephone: [372] 668-8100
• FAX: [372] 668-8265
• Email: acstallinn@state.gov
• Website: https://ee.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021)
• Chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC, 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
• FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108
• Email: Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee
• Website: https://washington.mfa.ee/
• Consulate(s) General: New York, San Francisco

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Total Area

17,463 Square Miles 45,228 Square Kilometers

Land Area

16,366 Square Miles 42,388 Square Kilometers

Water Area

1,097 Square Miles 2,840 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

393 Miles 633 Kilometers

Border Countries

Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

Coastline

2,357 Miles 3,794 Kilometers

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Terrain

Marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

Highest Point

318 Meters

Highest Point Location

Suur Munamagi 318 m

Lowest Point Location

Baltic Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud

Irrigated Land

2 Square Miles 4 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

The climate is northern continental, with long winters and short summers.

Winter begins in October and lasts often well into April.

Snowcover is common from mid or late November to the latter half of March.

Cloud cover and slate gray skies are typical between October and early February, when drier and sunnier days arrive.

Mean January temperatures are 22°-25°F(-4°-6°C).

The Gulfs of Finland and Riga only freeze over during the coldest winters.

In addition to being cold and snowy, winter months are characterized by shortened daylight, a result of Estonia's northern latitude (59°N).

When days are at their shortest, daylight is present only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Prevailing gray skies from November through January make daylight seem even more fleeting.

The sun, when it shines, hugs the horizon, thus giving the impression that it is early morning or late afternoon even at midday.

It is often difficult to say exactly when winter ends and spring begins.

After the Vernal Equinox (March 21), daylight increases dramatically.

Most days in late March, April, and May are sunny.

Daytime temperatures, however, may still remain in the 30°-45°F range into late April, and it is not safe to put winter clothing into storage until late May.

Occasional snow flurries and light snow are possible even through May.

Summer in Estonia is a short, magical season.

July and August temperatures are the warmest, averaging 67°-75°F (19°-24°C).

Mornings are cooler and the late afternoon can warm up to the low-80’s.

The surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea is from 60°-78°F (16°-26°C).

The heaviest rains occur in July and August, but they are usually passing showers.

During summer months, Estonia benefits from its northern latitude, with daylight extending long into evening hours and reappearing well before earliest risers are out of bed.

From early June to mid-July, there is no real "nighttime." The short autumn can start as early as late August and is generally cool and rainy.

Terrain

Marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

Location

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Total Area

17,463 Square Miles 45,228 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

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Environment - Current Issues

• Air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale-burning power plants in the northeast
• however, the number of pollutants emitted to the air has fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980
• the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-twentieth the level of 1980
• in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased
• Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored
• coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$12,270,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$13,460,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Machinery and electrical equipment 34%, food products and beverages 9%, mineral fuels 9%, wood and wood products 10%, metals 7%, furniture 9%, vehicles and parts 6%, chemicals 5%

Major Imports

Machinery and electrical equipment 28 %, mineral fuels 11%, food and food products 10%, vehicles 9%, chemical products 8%, metals 8%

Top Export Partners

Sweden 18.8%, Finland 16%, Latvia 10.4%, Russia 6.7%, Lithuania 5.9%, Germany 5.2%, Norway 4.1%

Top Import Partners

Finland 14.5%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Latvia 8.3%, Poland 7.4%, Russia 6.1%, Netherlands 5.5%, China 4.8%

Export Partners

Sweden 18.8%, Finland 16%, Latvia 10.4%, Russia 6.7%, Lithuania 5.9%, Germany 5.2%, Norway 4.1%

Import Partners

Finland 14.5%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 9%, Sweden 8.5%, Latvia 8.3%, Poland 7.4%, Russia 6.1%, Netherlands 5.5%, China 4.8%

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Country Description

Estonia is a stable democracy with an economy that is rebounding after facing sharp decline in 2008 and 2009.

Tourist facilities in the capital, Tallinn, are comparable to those found in western European cities, but some amenities may be lacking in rural areas.

In Tallinn, as well as in other locations frequented by tourists, many people can communicate in English.

Safety & Security

Estonian authorities are vigilant in combating terrorism and other threats to security.

There have been no incidents of terrorism directed toward U.S. citizens in Estonia.

Furthermore, civil unrest is rarely a problem in Estonia.

Nevertheless, large public gatherings and demonstrations may occur on occasion in response to political issues; these generally proceed without incident.

If you hear of or encounter a demonstration, you should avoid the area and check local media for updates on the situation.

You can also contact the U.S.

Embassy in Tallinn for current information.

Estonia is quite dark during the winter months (roughly October through April), and Estonian law requires pedestrians to wear small reflectors, which people generally pin to their coats or handbags.

Although this law is rarely enforced in cities, reflectors are very important in rural areas where it may be difficult for motorists to see pedestrians.

Violators of this law may be subject to a fine of around US$50 or a higher fine up to around US$500 if the pedestrian is under the influence of alcohol.

Reflectors are inexpensive and you should be able to find them at many supermarkets, kiosks, and other shops.

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Crime

Estonia is a relatively safe country, although sporadic crime in Tallinn’s Old Town is an ongoing concern, particularly during the summer tourist season.

You should exercise the same precautions with regard to your personal safety and belongings that you would take in major U.S. cities.

The most common crime encountered by foreign tourists in Estonia is pick-pocketing.

Tourists are often targeted by individuals and small groups of thieves working together.

In public places such as Tallinn’s Old Town, in particular the Town Hall Square (“Raekoja Plats”), the airport, train stations, bus stations, and the Central Market, you should exercise special care in safeguarding valuables against pick-pockets.

Guard your valuables, especially purses and bags, while visiting busy cafés and restaurants.

Do not leave valuables unattended in vehicles, and make sure car doors are locked at all times.

From time to time, especially late at night near bars and night clubs, foreigners have been subject to scams, or have become involved in altercations, including some involving violence, with inebriated individuals.

Common late night scams involve women enticing tourists in a reputable bar to visit a nearby bar where they are grossly overcharged.

Although Estonian police have shut down several suspect bars over the past year, this remains a concern.

On occasion, U.S. citizens have reported that they were harassed for racial reasons or because they appeared or sounded “foreign.” These incidents have generally occurred outside of major tourist areas.

Credit-card fraud is also an ongoing concern, as is Internet-based financial fraud and “Internet dating” fraud.

You should take precautions to safeguard your credit cards and report any suspected unauthorized transaction to the credit card company immediately.

If an incident occurs, you should report it promptly to the local police.

The Estonian police agencies are modern, well-equipped law enforcement entities on a standard comparable to most Western European police.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, by purchasing them you may also be breaking local laws.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Estonia, you are subject to its laws and regulations.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

If you break local laws in Estonia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not legal where you are going.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods abroad.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and customary international law, if you are arrested in Estonia you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Although medical care in Estonia falls short of Western standards, Estonia’s medical care is generally good, especially in Tallinn and in some other cities such as Tartu and Pärnu.

Estonia has many highly-trained medical professionals, but some hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources.

While private physicians often speak fair to excellent English, you are likely to find very limited English in hospitals and in emergency rooms.

Due to workload, doctors in hospitals spend considerably less time interacting with a patient than is typical in an American hospital.

Nurses and other hospital staff are likely to speak little to no English.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, or by calling their hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747).

You can also consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website, which contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

If you plan to visit forested areas of Estonia in the summertime, you should take steps to avoid ticks because of occasional cases of tick-borne encephalitis.

Although there is no vaccine against this disease currently licensed for use in the United States, a vaccine requiring a series of injections is available under two different brand names in Estonia, both of which can be obtained from many local physicians.

Serious cases of seasonal influenza, including H1N1, have been reported in recent years and you should consider getting a flu shot before traveling to Estonia during flu season.

Traffic Safety

While in Estonia, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

In order to drive in Estonia, you must have the correct license.

Estonian authorities strictly enforce their rules on driving with a proper license, and many U.S. citizens have been subjected to hefty fines in recent years due to confusion about Estonian rules, so please read the following information carefully.

If you are a visitor to Estonia, you may drive only if you carry both your valid U.S. driver’s license and a valid International Driving Permit (IDP).

You should obtain your IDP from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (part of the National Auto Club) before you leave the United States.

These are the only two entities in the United States that are authorized by international agreements to provide IDPs.

Other entities purport to offer “international driver’s licenses,” but such documents are not recognized by Estonian authorities.

If you are a resident of Estonia, you can initially drive in Estonia with your valid U.S. driver’s license and valid IDP, but upon receipt of an Estonian residence permit or after living in Estonia for more than one year (whichever is shorter), U.S. citizens must obtain an Estonian driving license.

However, licenses cannot be issued until you have been in Estonia for 185 days within the past year.

All individuals required to obtain an Estonian license must pass both a written and a practical driver's exam.

An English-language version of the written exam is available and the Road Administration will ensure that an English-speaking examiner is available for the practical driving portion.

Although testing may take place at several locations around the country, it is recommended that you contact the Road Administration headquarters at Mäepealse 19 in Tallinn, tel: 620-1200.

Your U.S. license and International Driving Permit must have been issued before your “residency” began, so it is imperative that you obtain these documents before you move to Estonia.

If you are caught driving without a proper license, you likely will be subject to a fine and your driving privileges may be revoked.

Any U.S. citizen who wishes to obtain an Estonian driver’s license should contact the Estonian Road Administration authority (known by the Estonian acronym “ARK”).

Although road conditions in Estonia are generally good, some roads—especially in rural areas—are poorly lighted and are not up to Western standards.

You may find that, compared to U.S. drivers, some drivers in Estonia can be aggressive, recklessly overtake vehicles and travel at high speed, even in crowded urban areas.

Despite strict Estonian laws against driving under the influence of alcohol, accidents involving intoxicated drivers are frequent.

It is not uncommon for the police to set up checkpoints on major streets and highways; you should pull over when asked by a police officer.

You should always remain alert to the possibility of drunk drivers and pedestrians.

Estonian police very strictly enforce laws against driving under the influence.

The basic rule is zero tolerance.

Thus, you can be subject to severe penalties if stopped by the police and even a trace of alcohol is detected, so please do not drive in Estonia if you have consumed any alcohol whatsoever.

If driving, you must always stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.

Some Estonian motorists do not comply with this rule, so if you are walking, you should always be careful when crossing the streets.

In rural areas, wild animals, such as deer and moose, and icy road conditions can create unexpected hazards.

You should also watch out for dark-clothed or drunk pedestrians walking along unlighted roads or darting across dimly-lighted streets or highways.

Winter roads are usually treated and cleared of snow, but you still should remain vigilant for icy patches and large potholes.

You should comply with all traffic rules, including

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Airports - total

18

Airports with Paved Runways

13

Heliports

1

Railways

743 Miles 1,196 Kilometers

Roadways- total

36,296 Miles 58,412 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

6,479 Miles 10,427 Kilometers

Waterways

208 Miles 335 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn

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Pipelines: Gas

539 Miles 868 Kilometers

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Telephones

492,800

Cell Phones

1,982,000

Internet Users

780,000

Internet Country Code

.ee

Internet Hosts

729,534

Broadcast Media

• The publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 2 TV channels and 5 radio networks
• growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally
• fully transitioned to digital television in 2010
• national private TV channels expanding service
• a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers
• high penetration rate for cable TV services with more than half of Estonian households connected

Telephone System

• assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service with a wide range of high-quality voice, data, and Internet services available
• Domestic: substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income-tax returns online, and online voting was used for the first time in the 2005 local elections
• International: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

7,080,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,943,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

3,025,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

8,779,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

701,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

670,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

26,340

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

7,624

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

6,100

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Anthem Lyrics

MU ISAMAA MU ÕNN JA RÕÕM Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm, kui kaunis oled sa! Ei leia mina iial teal see suure, laia ilma peal,mis mul nii armas oleks ka,kui sa, mu isamaa!Sa oled mind ju sünnitandja üles kasvatand;sind tänan mina alatija jään sull’ truuiks surmani,mul kõige armsam oled sa,mu kallis isamaa!Su üle Jumal valvaku,mu armas isamaa!Ta olgu sinu kaitsejaja võtku rohkest õnnista,mis iial ette võtad sa,mu kallis isamaa!

Anthem Lyrics English

Unofficial translation of the Estonian anthem by Jenny Wahl My native land, my joy, delight, How fair thou art and bright!

And nowhere in the world all round Can ever such a place be found So well beloved as I love thee, My native country dear!

My little cradle stood on thy soil, Whose blessings case my toil.

With my last breath my thanks to thee, For true to death I´ll ever be, O worthy, most beloved and fine, Thou, dearest country mine!

May God in Heaven thee defend, My best, my dearest land!

May He be guard, may He be shield, For ever may He bless and wield O graciously all deeds of thine, Thou dearest country mine!