Healthcare in Estonia: Overview
Estonia has a public healthcare system funded through health insurance. Here's the good news:
- High quality care — Modern facilities, well-trained doctors
- Digital health records — Access everything online
- Prescription integration — Digital prescriptions sent directly to pharmacies
- English available — Most doctors in Tallinn speak English
Health Insurance (Ravikindlustus)
How It Works
Estonian health insurance is tied to employment and social tax:
- Employed? Your employer pays social tax → you're covered
- Self-employed? You pay social tax → you're covered
- Not working? You may need to arrange coverage
Who Is Covered Automatically
| Status | Coverage | |--------|----------| | Employed (contract) | Yes - through employer | | Self-employed (paying social tax) | Yes | | Registered unemployed | Yes | | Students (full-time) | Yes | | Children (under 19) | Yes | | Pregnant women | Yes | | Pensioners | Yes | | Parental leave | Yes |
Who Needs to Arrange Coverage
- Self-employed not paying social tax
- Unemployed not registered with unemployment fund
- Recently arrived (may have gap)
- Some freelancers
The Insurance Card
Your Estonian ID card serves as your health insurance card:
- No separate card needed
- Present ID card at any healthcare facility
- Digital verification happens automatically
Checking Your Coverage
- Go to eesti.ee
- Log in with ID card/Mobile-ID
- Navigate to "Health and healthcare"
- Check insurance status
Or use the patient portal: digilugu.ee
Finding Healthcare Providers
Family Doctor (Perearst)
Your first point of contact for most health issues:
How to register:
- Choose a family doctor accepting patients
- Contact their office or apply online
- Complete registration form
- Receive confirmation
Finding a doctor:
- Digilugu.ee — Search by location
- Tervisekassa.ee — Official registry
- Ask expat groups for recommendations
English-speaking family doctors in Tallinn:
- Qvalitas (multiple locations)
- Medicum (chain)
- Confido (chain)
- Many independent clinics
Specialists (Eriarst)
Referral usually required from family doctor:
- Cardiologist, dermatologist, gynecologist, etc.
- Some direct access available (dentist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist)
- Wait times vary by specialty
Hospitals (Haigla)
Major hospitals in Tallinn:
- North Estonia Medical Centre (PERH) — Largest, comprehensive
- East Tallinn Central Hospital (ITKH) — Good emergency care
- Confido — Private, modern
- Fertilitas — Women's health
Emergency Care
Emergency (Erakorraline abi):
- Call 112 for emergencies
- Go to emergency room (EMO) at major hospitals
- Always covered, regardless of insurance status
Urgent but not emergency:
- Contact family doctor first
- Walk-in clinics available (Qvalitas, Medicum)
- Private clinics often have same-day appointments
Costs and Coverage
What's Covered (With Insurance)
| Service | Patient Pays | |---------|--------------| | Family doctor visit | Free - €5 | | Specialist (with referral) | Free - €5 | | Hospital care | Free (may have small daily fee) | | Ambulance | Free | | Pregnancy & birth | Free | | Child healthcare | Free | | Vaccinations (standard) | Free | | Lab tests (ordered by doctor) | Free |
What's Not Fully Covered
| Service | Cost | |---------|------| | Dental (adults) | Mostly out-of-pocket | | Optical/glasses | Out-of-pocket | | Certain medications | Partial coverage | | Elective procedures | Varies | | Private rooms | Extra fee |
Prescription Medications
Estonia has a prescription benefit system:
- Medications categorized by coverage level
- 0%, 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100% covered
- Chronic conditions often well covered
- Check prices at ravimiregister.ee
Digital Health Services
Estonia is a leader in e-health:
Patient Portal (Digilugu.ee)
Access your complete health records:
- Test results
- Visit summaries
- Prescriptions (active and history)
- Vaccination records
- Referrals
- Sick leave documentation
Digital Prescriptions
No paper prescriptions in Estonia:
- Doctor enters prescription in system
- Go to any pharmacy with ID card
- Pharmacist retrieves prescription
- Get medication
E-consultation
Many family doctors offer:
- Online consultations
- Secure messaging
- Video calls (some clinics)
The Patient Journey
Typical Process
- Health issue arises — Call family doctor or book online
- See family doctor — Same day to few days wait
- Referral if needed — To specialist
- Specialist appointment — Wait varies (days to weeks)
- Treatment/follow-up — As prescribed
- Prescriptions — Pick up at any pharmacy
Wait Times
Reality check on public healthcare:
- Family doctor: Usually within days
- Urgent issues: Same day
- Specialists: Weeks to months (varies)
- Elective surgery: Can be months
Reducing wait times:
- Go private (pay out-of-pocket)
- Some insurers offer faster access
- Check multiple providers
Private Healthcare Options
Why Go Private
- Shorter wait times
- More control over scheduling
- Specific doctor preferences
- Comfort/amenities
- Services not covered publicly
Major Private Providers
Confido
- Modern facilities
- English speaking
- Most specialties
- confido.ee
Qvalitas
- Family medicine focus
- Multiple locations
- Good for expats
- qvalitas.ee
Medicum
- Wide range of services
- Established network
- medicum.ee
Private Insurance
Supplementary insurance options:
- Ergo — Health insurance packages
- If P&C — Supplementary coverage
- Compensa — Various plans
Benefits may include:
- Faster specialist access
- Private hospital rooms
- Dental coverage
- International coverage
Pharmacies (Apteek)
Finding a Pharmacy
Pharmacies are common throughout Tallinn:
- Major chains: Apotheka, Benu, Südameapteek
- Hours: Many open 9:00-20:00 weekdays
- 24-hour pharmacy: Tõnismäe Apotheka (Tõnismägi 5)
Buying Medications
- Present ID card for prescriptions
- Some medications require prescription (antibiotic, etc.)
- Basic medications available over-the-counter
- Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments
Mental Health
Available Services
- Psychiatrists (covered with referral)
- Psychologists (limited coverage)
- Therapy (mostly private/out-of-pocket)
- Crisis helpline: 116 123
Finding English-Speaking Therapists
- Ask for referrals in expat groups
- Peaasi.ee — Mental health resources
- International clinics often have options
Dental Care (Hambaravi)
Reality Check
Dental care is largely out-of-pocket for adults:
- Basic exam: €30-60
- Cleaning: €50-100
- Filling: €60-150
- Crown: €300-500
Coverage:
- Children (under 19): Covered
- Emergency dental: Partially covered
- Pregnant women: Some coverage
Popular clinics:
- Unimed Dental
- Hammaskliinik Matto
- Nordic Dental
For New Arrivals
First Steps
- Confirm insurance status — Via digilugu.ee
- Register with family doctor — Priority
- Transfer medical records — If needed
- Update vaccinations — Check requirements
- Find pharmacy — Near home/work
If Uninsured Initially
Options:
- Purchase private insurance
- Pay out-of-pocket (rates reasonable)
- Emergency care always available
- Sort out employment/status to get covered
Important Contacts
| Service | Contact | |---------|---------| | Emergency | 112 | | Health info line | 1220 | | Poison center | 16662 | | Tervisekassa (insurance) | tervisekassa.ee | | Patient portal | digilugu.ee |
Healthcare Vocabulary
| Estonian | English | |----------|---------| | Arst | Doctor | | Perearst | Family doctor | | Õde | Nurse | | Haigla | Hospital | | Apteek | Pharmacy | | Retsept | Prescription | | Ravikindlustus | Health insurance | | Erakorraline abi | Emergency care | | Kutsung | Appointment | | Haigusleht | Sick leave certificate |
Take care of your health! 🩺