Published: October 25, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Estonia Travel Advisory and Estonia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Tallinn
Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn
Tel: +372-668-8100; After-Hours Emergencies: +372-668-8169.
Hours of Operation: 0830 – 1730, Monday – Friday
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Country Chapter in Tallinn is active and meets twice annually.
Contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.
Estonia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Estonia.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tallinn as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Estonia.
Crimes against persons mainly occur in areas frequented by tourists. In the summer, pickpockets often work in teams in crowded areas, particularly in Old Town Tallinn. Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims. One method involves bumping into the victim to draw their attention to one individual, while another takes their wallet. Victims should report the crime to the police and cancel stolen credit cards as soon as possible.
The police monitor the most high-risk areas with surveillance units, but incidents do occur. Theft from vehicles and vandalism of vehicles occur mostly in poorly illuminated areas, unsecured parking locations, and near the Port of Tallinn. Authorities generally classify the threat of thefts from vehicles, personal robberies, and residential break-ins as crimes of convenience.
Crime rates in Estonia remain low. Nonetheless, crime increased 3.6% in the first half of 2024 due in large part to an increase in phone and computer scams. Of all crimes, 51% were categorized as crimes against property, 24% as crimes against individuals, 9% traffic offences, and 16% as other. Computer scams have seen a 36% increase, while theft increased by 8%. Crimes against public trust, mainly made up of fraudulent documents and finding fake 2-euro coins in circulation, increased by 37%.
Ida-Viru County, which contains the border town of Narva, experiences the highest crime rates in Estonia. Tallinn and Tartu also have higher crime rates than rest of Estonia. Pickpocketing, theft, and petty crime do occur, particularly in areas where tourists and foreigners congregate. The three highest crime areas in Tallinn are city center, Lasnamäe, and Kopli.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Estonia.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tallinn as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Estonia.
There are no known indigenous terrorist organizations in Estonia, which is not a known base of support/sympathy for transnational terrorists. However, in recent years, Estonia has experienced an increase in racially motivated violent extremism (REMVE) rhetoric, largely online. Estonia observed a rise in neo-Nazi rhetoric that the Estonian security services actively work to combat. Due to its participation in the Schengen area, Estonia faces a similar threat of international terrorism as other European countries. The issue of foreign fighters is not a significant one for Estonia, with fewer than five reported cases over the past several years.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tallinn as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Estonia. While rare in Estonia, civil unrest in any country can develop quickly without prior notice and interrupt logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
The geopolitical situation in Europe has raised concerns that could affect the Baltic countries, at least indirectly. This concern heightened after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Elections/Political Stability
Estonia is a stable and functioning democracy. There are no security concerns regarding elections or political stability.
Protests & Demonstrations
Civil unrest is rare. Demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience are generally limited and peaceful. Authorities identify and monitor demonstrations via the government's permit process. Demonstrations generally take place near government buildings, significant landmarks, or other areas of significance to the ethnic-Russian minority.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There have not been any significant anti-U.S. or anti-Western protests reported in recent years.
Law Enforcement
Estonia has two government security agencies:
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board serves as the first response police force. They investigate all levels of criminal activity, provide border security, and issue identity documents. The Estonian Security Police (KAPO) operates on a federal level to fight corruption, terrorism, and threats to national security.
The Armed Forces are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities. The Police and Border Guard Board and the Internal Security Service report to the Interior Ministry. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
Police response times can vary from several minutes to an hour, depending on the nature of the call, time of day, call volume, and resource constraints. Police agencies are professionally trained and competent, and officers very commonly speak English. Police have become more respected and better trained in recent years but continue to deal with a lack of resources. To respond to the needs of visitors, police concentrate vehicular and foot patrols in highly populated and popular tourist areas.
The police emergency line in Estonia is 112.
Visitors who are victims of crime should report it immediately to the local police department. After reporting the incident to the police, U.S. citizen victims should contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy by e-mail (ACSTallinn@state.gov) or by phone (+372-668-8100) to report the crime and request assistance.
If detained by police, comply with instructions. Incidents of police abuse and corruption are very rare. Detained foreigners who experience a language barrier should request an interpreter and should not sign any documents/reports until they are confident the document's contents are consistent with the details of the incident or the victim's statement. This is especially true for traffic accidents, as the initial police response will often attribute fault for the accident. If arrested, U.S. citizens have a right to request that the police contact the U.S. Embassy on their behalf.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Estonia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Estonia.
The law criminalizes corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively.
The number of official corruption crimes reported in the first eight months of 2023 was approximately half that of the previous year.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is a growing concern; scam calls and phishing attacks also rose. Such crimes are conducted mainly in Estonian or Russian language, but there are cases of English mail and text messages, usually portraying some postal service provider. Estonia-based companies have also been subject to ransomware attacks, in line with global trends, and these crimes often go underreported.
Those traveling to Estonia's eastern border should recognize the increased potential for cyber security threats and respond appropriately to avoid becoming a victim. Assume that Russian sources monitor all communications (e.g., emails, calls, texts), and avoid any communication you don't want to end up in Russian hands.
Import/Export Restrictions
The Estonian Tax & Customs Board website is a complete source of information on import and export restrictions for Estonia.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
