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TRAVEL REPORTS:
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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: August 16, 2006 15:54 EDT
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:14 EST

Estonia
1.
 INTRODUCTION
2. ATTENTION
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
4. LOCAL TRAVEL
5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9. MONEY
10. GENERAL INFORMATION
11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13. RETURNING TO CANADA
14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15. TRAVEL TIPS
16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
18. ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

A minor editorial change has been made in section 13 of this Travel Report.

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2. ATTENTION

 OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and mugging, occurs. Thieves often target tourists in airports, train stations, and other public areas, especially during the summer tourist season. Violent crime occurs, but foreigners are not usually targeted. Avoid parks, poorly lit streets, and certain areas of Tallinn, including Kopli, Lasnamäe, and Kadriorg, after dark. Theft of vehicles or their contents is common. Keep vehicles locked and in guarded parking lots overnight. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Do not show signs of affluence. Canadians should carry identification at all times. For emergency assistance, call 112.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Foreign motor vehicles are subject to strict regulations, and drivers should always carry original registration documents. Police checkpoints are routinely set up on major roads, and drivers should pull over when asked. Use only officially marked taxis, pre-negotiate fares, and do not allow extra passengers. City buses are reliable but often crowded. Bus, plane, and ferry services to neighbouring countries operate frequently. Trains are generally old and uncomfortable, and service is slow. However, rail service is undergoing improvements. Relatively good highways connect Estonia with Latvia and Russia.

 Disregarded traffic laws, aggressive drivers, poorly lit country roads, and wandering animals create hazards. Headlights must be on at all times. In winter, roads are icy and snow-covered. By law, drivers must ensure that vehicles are equipped with winter tires from December 1 to March 1. Alternatively, studded tires can be used from October 15 to May 1. These dates are subject to change. In the event of an accident, motorists must contact police to make an official report.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Winter weather is snowy and cold. Heavy flooding may occur in spring.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. Possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:

Estonia - TALLINN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Toom Kooli 13, 2nd Floor, 10130 Tallinn, Estonia
Postal Address: Tallinn, Estonia
Tel.: 372 627-3310/11
Fax: 372 627-3312
E-mail: tallinn@canada.ee
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/baltics

Sweden - STOCKHOLM, Embassy of Canada
Address: Tegelbacken 4, 7th Floor, Stockholm, Sweden
Postal Address: P.O. Box 16129, 10323, Stockholm, Sweden
Tel.: 46 (8) 453-3000
Fax: 46 (8) 453-3016
E-mail: stkhm-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/sweden

For emergency assistance after hours, call the duty officer in Tallinn at 372-630-4050 (ext. 57070) and leave a message with your name and contact number. Alternatively, you may contact the Canadian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to Foreign Affairs Canada in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Estonia is 0800-12011, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site (www.infocanadadirect.com).

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
 
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Estonia. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Upon arrival, Canadians may be required to present evidence that they have adequate health insurance (contact the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia for further information), and sufficient funds for their visit (not less than 432 EEK per day, approximately US$ 30.06 per day).

Tourist Visa : Not required
Transit Visa : Not required
Business Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days)

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the kroon (EEK), which is pegged to the euro (EUR). Foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks accept Canadian dollar traveller's cheques. There is a fee of 1% to 1.5% of the sum (except for American Express cheques exchanged at the Hansapank). Credit cards are accepted in larger urban areas as well as larger establishments in remote locations. ATMs are available. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Estonia (capital: Tallinn) is located in Eastern Europe, and borders the Russian Federation, Latvia, and the Baltic Sea. Tourist facilities are widely available in major cities and towns. The official language is Estonian. Russian, Finnish, and English are widely spoken.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical care is not up to Western standards. Travellers should consider drinking bottled water. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are widespread. Those intending to visit parks or forested areas in Estonia are urged to speak with their healthcare practitioner about immunization.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

The member states of the European Union (not including the United Kingdom and Ireland), plus Norway and Iceland, make up the Schengen area, which aims to abolish border controls between those countries and create a single external frontier. However, controls are still in place at the borders of the newer Schengen countries.

Canadians do not need visas for short-term visits to Schengen countries, but some member states require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities.

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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Last Updated:
2006-08-16

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