Estonia, famous for its lush countryside and medieval architecture, is the centre of old-world Northern Europe. While most expats moving to Estonia may feel it is not the most typical of expat destinations, the country has much to offer those who choose to explore it. Although small, an expat community does exist in Estonia, mostly in the capital city, Tallinn, and the university city of Tartu.
Living in Estonia as an expat
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Estonia’s economy has developed rapidly. The country now boasts booming timber and shipping industries, and Tallinn is quickly becoming a commercial hub. Estonia is also attracting more foreign investors looking to buy property.
When looking for work in Estonia, you’ll find opportunities in the ICT, healthcare, education, tourism and engineering sectors. The Estonian government also encourages entrepreneurship and makes it easy to open a business in the country.
Finding accommodation in Estonia’s large cities, such as Tallinn and Tartu, is fairly easy, but the rental market has seen an uptick in demand, meaning you’ll have to act fast once you find something you like. You might want to opt for an apartment in a newly constructed building, as these are likely to be furnished with modern conveniences.
While Estonian is the official language, Russian is also widely spoken throughout the country. Estonians also tend to speak good English, so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty communicating. It is worth learning a few key Estonian phrases to help break the ice with the locals, though.
Cost of living in Estonia
The cost of living in Estonia is relatively low compared to many Western European countries, particularly in terms of accommodation, transport, and food. Getting around in Tallinn or other Estonian cities is easy thanks to an efficient and economical public transport system. A car is rarely necessary.
While Estonia remains one of the more affordable places to live in Europe, costs in Tallinn are naturally higher than in smaller towns. Even so, the capital is still far cheaper than most major European cities, including nearby Helsinki in Finland.
Families and children in Estonia
Families living in Estonia are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities. In the summer, you can enjoy activities including picnicking, hiking, cycling and sailing, while winter is a great time to go sledging or skiing. This Baltic country also has a wealth of historical heritage for those who enjoy cultural pastimes. Estonia boasts a significant number of medieval churches, castles and palaces for history buffs to investigate.
There are a number of good international schools in Estonia, particularly in Tallinn. Most expats prefer these over local public schools, as they tend to teach familiar curricula, allowing children to pick up where they left off back at home.
When moving to Estonia, you should ensure that you have adequate health insurance. While the standards of healthcare in Estonia are improving, the facilities usually fall short of the standards expected in Western Europe or North America.
Climate in Estonia
The climate in Estonia has four distinct seasons. Summers are mild and moderately rainy, and winters can be freezing. From November to March, snowfall is common. May through November is the most pleasant time of year.
Although Estonia is not yet a popular expat destination, foreigners have begun to see the potential of this Baltic state on the brink of expansion and development. Those adventurous enough to move to Estonia and give expat life in the country a chance will be rewarded with a low cost of living and good entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as a host of sporting and cultural activities.
Fast facts
Population: Over 1.3 million
Capital city: Tallinn
Neighbouring countries: Estonia is bordered by Latvia to the south and Russia to the east.
Geography: Nearly half of Estonia’s flat landscape is covered in forest. The rest is farmland, meadows and grazing plains, with more than 1,400 lakes scattered across the country. In addition, there are two main islands in the Baltic Sea, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, which are favourite holiday spots among locals.
Political system: Unitary parliamentary republic
Major religions: Christianity
Main languages: Estonian and Russian
Money: Estonia uses the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Opening a bank account is fairly straightforward. ATMs are common in the larger cities and towns, but cash is rarely needed. Card payments are preferred at most locations.
Tipping: Tipping is accepted, but not expected. A 10 percent tip on a restaurant bill is polite but not required, and excellent service can be rewarded at the client’s discretion. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare to the nearest euro is accepted practice.
Time: GMT+2. Between March and October, the time zone changes to GMT+3.
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used.
Internet domain: .ee
International dialling code: +372
Emergency contacts: Call 112 for police, ambulance, or the fire brigade.
Transport and driving: Vehicles in Estonia drive on the right-hand side of the road. The country boasts an impressive and extensive public transport system, with buses operating within and between all major urban centres.