Health Care and Insurance
International students are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund unless they are working on the basis of an employment contract or fall under any of the other categories listed here. Since EKA does not offer health insurance, all international students are responsible for obtaining a suitable health insurance policy for themselves.
NB! Doctoral student – junior researchers are covered by Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Other students are required to obtain a suitable health insurance policy themselves.
Health insurance for EU citizens
If you will have a valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or a substitute certificate of EHIC. Please note that you will need to apply for it in your home country before arriving in Estonia. More information about healthcare in Estonia for insured EU citizens can be found here.
However, it is important to remember that due to differences in healthcare systems EHIC might not cover all the necessary service costs in other countries. It will also not cover any private healthcare costs, and is not an alternative to travel insurance. Therefore, we recommend obtaining an additional insurance policy that will meet all your needs.
If you will not have a valid health insurance at home, then you will definitely need to obtain a suitable health insurance policy for yourself. Some of the more popular insurance providers among students in Estonia are listed below:
If you have any questions about different insurance policies, their conditions and prices, you may want to consult with KindlustusEst (email: info@kindlustusest.ee). Please keep in mind that you are not required to choose an Estonian insurance provider, and therefore should feel free to choose any insurance provider with suitable coverage.
NB! EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. We highly recommends obtaining additional health insurance for EHIC.
Health insurance for Non-EU citizens
Non-EU students will need to obtain an insurance policy guaranteeing that any costs related to your medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during your stay in Estonia will be covered. You are free to choose any suitable insurance provider as long as it meets the necessary requirements.
Please note that there are different types of insurance policies, which is why an insurance policy may not be suitable for both visa and residence permit applications. If you have any questions about the requirements for insurance policies, please feel free to contact the migration consultants of the PBGB for more information. We also recommend contacting the representation where you are planning to submit your visa application.
Some of the more popular insurance providers among students in Estonia are listed below:
If you have any questions about different insurance policies, their conditions and prices, you may want to consult with KindlustusEst (email: info@kindlustusest.ee). Please keep in mind that you are not required to choose an Estonian insurance provider, and therefore should feel free to choose any insurance provider with suitable coverage.
NB! Typically, insurance policies may only be obtained for up to one year at a time, so you are required to renew your policy on time.
Whichever insurance you are using, be prepared to cover your medical costs yourself first. If you have to pay for medical services, keep all the cost documents and apply for a refund from your insurance provider according to the provider’s procedures. If the costs are eligible under your insurance policy, the provider will make the refund.
Health care in Estonia
Please find detailed information about healthcare in Estonia here.
Useful information on health insurance for both EU citizens and non-EU citizens can be found here.
In Estonia, the first contact person in case of a health concern is a family physician or nurse. Family physicians can provide treatment for minor illnesses, make home visits and give referrals to visit medical specialists. They can also help if there is a need for a health certificate, prescription medicine, or specialised medical care. You can usually get an appointment in a couple of days, or more quickly in case of an acute condition. So the first thing that you will need to do is choose a family physician. You can find the list of family physicians who are accepting new patients here.
If you have a health concern and your family physician is not available, you can call the family physician counselling line on 1220 or +372 634 6630. The line is intended to provide advice on minor health conditions, first aid instructions, and information on health management issues. Family physicians and nurses provide assistance in Estonian and Russian 24/7, and counselling in English is available daily from 3pm to 5pm.
You can also get medical advice via video consultations with English-speaking physicians at MinuDoc and Salu.MD.
There are also private clinics that offer a variety of services provided by family physicians and medical experts who are ready to assist you immediately. Here is a list of private clinics: