The European Commission has revealed its plan to digitalize the Schengen visa. This will replace the mostly paper-based application system to obtain a visa for EU and Schengen countries currently in place. This means the Schengen visa will soon be available through a simplified online application process, similar to the European Travel Information and Authorization
Visa Policy for Estonia
The visa policy of Estonia establishes whether a foreign visitor needs a visa or travel authorization to gain entry to the country or not.
The requirements and restrictions for Estonia differ depending on the nationality of the individual, the expected period of stay, and the purpose of the visit.
Estonia is one of the European countries that has signed the Schengen Agreement for freedom of movement between states. Accordingly, Estonian visa law is the same as for the other 25 Schengen countries.
Citizens of all Schengen zone countries are permitted to enter Estonia visa-free for an unlimited period of time, if they simply present a valid National ID Card at a border checkpoint.
Other visa-exempt visitors arriving from foreign countries need to present a valid passport to gain entry to Estonia, and are permitted a total stay of 90 days for tourism, transit, business, or medical treatment purposes.
However, from 2022, a new requirement will become mandatory for these visa-free travelers before they can visit Estonia and the Schengen Area for the same periods and purposes: the ETIAS visa waiver.
Once implemented, eligible citizens will be required to apply for this multiple entry electronic travel authorization through a simple online application, to receive an approved ETIAS for Estonia digitally linked to their passport.
All other nationalities require a visa to travel to Estonia no matter the purpose or intended duration of the stay. This must be obtained from the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate well in advance of the expected departure date.
Browse the boxes below to learn more about each visa or travel authorization that Estonian visa law offers.