Health Care and Insurance
Only those higher education students who are citizens of Estonia are eligible for the Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa). International students must, therefore, possess either private health insurance or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
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 have valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or substitute certificate of an EU health insurance card. You should apply for that from the social service authorities in your home country before arriving in Estonia.
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 before TPR
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.
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 insurance for Non-EU citizens with TPR
The students need to purchase private insurance from an insurance company. Temporary residence permit (TRP) is issued for the whole nominal period of studies. This means that students need health insurance coverage for the whole period of studies. However, one can still purchase insurance for a year and extend it on time to guarantee continuous medical coverage.
Most often, international students in Estonia choose one of the following insurance companies meeting the requirements of the TRP:
– KindlustusEst insurance broker who can help with finding suitable insurance. It is possible to compare the prices of different insurance (such as AON and Ergo) providers on their website and sign the contract online. No additional fees are charged from students.
– Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Once can purchase an insurance contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Please check the conditions here. https://www.haigekassa.ee/en/people/health-insurance/voluntary-insurance
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.
Healtcare in Estonia
First contact in a healthcare system for a person with a health concern is his/her family physician or family nurse. A visit to a family physician is free of charge for the insured patients.
Finding a good practice could take some time, therefore we advise finding a family doctor as soon as possible. If you are having trouble locating a family doctor who is right for you,
you can seek assistance from the Estonian Health Board
You can have a look at the list here as it shows which family doctors are available to accept new patients https://www.haigekassa.ee/en/choosing-and-changing-family-physician
Please be aware that you are not always required to seek medical advice from a certain family doctor. You can also go to private clinics, which offer a variety of family doctors as well as experts ready to assist you right away. Below is a list of private clinics; by clicking on a clinic name, you will be taken to their website:
If a person has a health concern but his/her family physician is not currently available, he/she can call the family physician advisory line. On this line, family physicians and nurses provide advice 24/7 in Estonian and Russian. Counseling in English is available daily from 3pm to 5pm. The telephone number of family physician advisory line is +372 634 6630. The advisory line provides advice on minor health problems, instructions for first aid, and, if necessary, information on health management issues.
You can also get medical advice via video consultations with English-speaking doctors at MinuDoc and Salu.MD.