Security situation in Europe: Q&A

The border crossing point:

• establishes the border crossing of people and a Ukrainian war refugee's wish to submit an application for temporary protection;
• establishes the final destination of a person's movement;
• accepts an application for international protection if necessary;
• gives information about staying in Estonia;
• organises the further movement of an unaccompanied foreign minor.

The Police and Border Guard Board recommends to not travel to Russia unless there is an urgent need. Ukrainian citizens have been granted temporary protection specifically to protect them from Russia's actions and travelling to Russia might bring about the revocation of one's residence permit.

The information necessary for staying in Estonia is available at the border crossing point, at the state helpline 1247 (+372 600 1247) or from www.dopomoga.ee (in Ukrainian).

In Narva (Peetri plats 3), the refugees in transit are counselled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Temporary protection

If a Ukrainian war refugee wishes to receive temporary or international protection, she needs to turn to a service office of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). Prior booking at broneering.politsei.ee is necessary for submitting at application for temporary protection at a service office.

Applications for temporary protection are accepted at the following service offices 9:00-17:00 on working days:

• Tallinn: the Tammsaare (Tammsaare 47) police station
• the Tartu police station (Riia 132)
• the Jõhvi police station (Rahu 38)
• the Rakvere police station (Kreutzwaldi 5a)
• the Pärnu police station (Tammsaare 61)
• the Narva police station (Vahtra 3)

More specific information: the Police and Border Guard Board

Ukrainian citizens holding a biometric passport may travel to Estonia without a visa. Ukrainian citizens who are not holders of a biometric passport may travel to Estonia if they are war refugees or apply for temporary protection or international protection. The family members of Ukrainian citizens (children, parents, spouses) who are citizens of some other country and whose visa or other basis for stay has expired or is about to expire may temporarily remain in Estonia. Additionally, the Police and Border Guard Board can admit other arrivals, e.g. partners, from Ukraine to Estonia on humanitarian grounds, in order to maintain family unity.

No, it is not, unless the visa would be needed to visit a family member or for some other family reason. Starting from March 10, it is no longer possible to submit visa applications in the Estonian foreign representations and at the visa centres of outside service providers in the Russian Federation and Belarus.

All visas issued are valid until their expiration date. The Estonian foreign representations will definitely also continue accepting the visa applications of those Russian and Belarusian citizens who wish to come to Estonia to visit their family members, as well as for humanitarian reasons, like severe illness of a close relative or a funeral. NB! Starting from May, the Estonian head consulate in Saint Petersburg and representation in Pskov are closed.

The decision to end the admission of visa applications in Russia and Belarus is due to the technical issues with making visa fee and service charge payments, as well as other unexpected limitations that have to do with the current situation in Russia and Belarus.

It is not allowed to bring in cats, dogs and ferrets from shelters, breeders and other sources. The reason for that is the very high risk of the spread of rabies. Rabies is a disease that has no treatment.

Only pets that are with their owners are allowed to come from Ukraine to Estonia.

The police checks whether the person has valid travel documents, a basis for stay in Estonia and establishes the reason for their entry into the country. If a person does not have documents or the right to stay in Estonia, they will make a decision on whether to allow the person into the country or not.

The police stop the person crossing the border, in order to check his citizenship on the basis of his travel documents. If the travel documents are missing, the citizenship or provenance will be established on the basis of other documents or person's own statements.

Yes, he can.

If a child is travelling from Ukraine to Estonia with at least one parent (or legal guardian), there is no need to have an officially certified consent or any other formal document.

If a child is travelling with an acquaintance or a family member (who is not the child's parent or legal guardian), we recommend that the minor have a handwritten consent with him, containing the contact information of the parents, to make border crossing(s) simpler.

Estonia cannot confirm what requirements are enacted by other European Union member states for crossing their external border -- this has to be asked from the specific country whose border is being crossed.

The state of Estonia accepts all children who have had to escape the war taking place in Ukraine.

If the child does not have an identity document, then at some point the adult companion and the minor have to turn to the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia, where the child will be issued a certificate with his personal data.

We recommend giving the child or adolescent a hand written permission with her parents contact information to take along, in order to simply the crossing of border(s).

In order to cross the borders it is necessary to have a valid travel document and a legal basis for entering Estonia (a visa, visa freedom, an Estonian residence permit etc).

The list of countries whose citizens have a right to travel to Estonia without a visa can be found on the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Estonia accepts all children of Ukrainian citizens regardless of whether the minor has documents or not. After entering the country, the war refugees need to turn to the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia at some point, so that they could enter the information of the child or the adolescent to the parent's passport or issue a certificate with identity data.

Yes, the state of Estonia accepts all children who have had to escape from the war taking place in Ukraine, regardless of whether they have a valid travel document or not.

If the child does not have a document (but is travelling with a parent or an adult companion), then in some time the adult companion needs to turn to the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia along with the child and the child will be issued a certificate containing her personal data.

If a minor arrives on the border without documents and an adult companion, the Police , the Social Insurance Board and other authorities will do everything they can so that the children would be cared for and safe here.

This depends on when and why she arrived in Estonia. The legal grounds to arrive in Estonia has temporarily been granted, even if the person does not hold a biometric passport, a Schengen visa or a valid travel document (e.g only has an internal passport), to all Ukrainian citizens who

1. were in Estonia even before February 24, 2022, or
2. who can be subjects of temporary protection (i.e. war refugees and their family members, regardless of their citizenship).

If a person is without any kind of documents, her citizenship is determined at the Estonian border based on statements.

After arriving in Estonia, the Ukrainian citizen has to turn to the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia (+372 601 5815, Lahe 6, 10150 Tallinn) where she will be issued a certificate containing her personal data. Third country citizens can be issued a travel document by their own state or a representation of their own state (an embassy or a consulate).

Important: Estonia is terminating the derogations for the pets of Ukrainian war refugees starting from July 1.

In order to enter Estonia from Ukraine with your pet (a dog, a cat or a ferret), it is necessary for the animal to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and the animal has to have rabies antibody titration determined at a recognized laboratory. The animal also has to have a veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority in Ukraine. Pets that accompany a traveller are allowed to enter Estonia through all border crossing points open for international travel and the animals are checked there by the Tax and Customs Board. It is no longer necessary to notify the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) separately.

If you have any questions, you can contact the emergency telephone of the PTA at +372 735 8536. The regional specialists of the PTA can also offer assistance.

The airspace of Ukraine is closed, but it is possible to leave the country by land. When travelling to Estonia, avoid routes that take you to regions and states (Russia, Belarus) involved in the armed conflict. It would make sense to first travel away from the war affected areas towards west and then leave through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, or Romania. These countries also have functioning air traffic.

The Police and Border Guard Board recommends entering Estonia through the Ikla border crossing point.

If a Ukrainian refugee arrives at a border point that has nearby public transport connections, the refugee will be directed to the correct stop. If there is no public transport near the border crossing location, the people will get support in finding both transportation and accommodation, and they will be given the necessary information.

Sending letters and postcards to Ukraine costs 1.90 euros. All the supplies necessary for sending a letter are available at post offices and customer service representatives will be happy to help you if you have any questions. You can find nearest post office here: Omniva > Locations and opening hours..

If you wish to send a parcel to loved ones who remain in Ukraine, you can do so for free.

To send a free parcel, go to a post office to complete the parcel card and customs form. The parcel may weigh up to 30 kg and must comply with the following requirements on dimensions: the longest side may be up to 105 cm or the sum of the longest side and the circumference of the bottom may be up to 2 metres. Perishable foodstuffs, fragile items, alcohol, and weapons cannot be sent. The maximum permissible value of the parcel is 70 euros.

No, the vehicles registered in Ukraine do not have to pass the roadworthiness test here in order to drive in Estonia. If the Ukrainian vehicles are in Estonia longer than one year, these vehicles have to be registered in Estonia and also pass the roadworthiness test here.

Estonian inspection stations can perform roadworthiness tests on vehicles registered in Estonia. It is not possible to perform a roadworthiness test in Estonia on vehicles registered in Ukraine or some other country. A roadworthiness test can be performed on a Ukrainian vehicle in Estonia if there is a wish to do so but legally this has no meaning and the inspection station cannot enter the roadworthiness test performed into the central system.

No, unfortunately she has to start the driving course from the beginning in Estonia, as finishing the course is a precondition for getting a driving license and driving school instruction is not mutually recognized between countries (not even between the member states of the European Union). However, the knowledge obtained in Ukraine will definitely help to do better at the driving course and the driving test in Estonia.

Other countries' citizens' children who were born in Estonia do not get the right to an Estonian nationality at birth. We recommend that mothers that are Ukrainian citizens and give birth here turn to the Ukrainian Embassy (+372 601 5815, Lahe 6, 10150 Tallinn) for matters related to the Ukrainian citizenship.

What status these children who are born in Estonia have depends on the legal basis on which the child's parents are staying in Estonia.

• if the parent have been granted temporary protection or she is going to apply for temporary protection, she will have to also submit a separate application for the child born in Estonia. A child is not automatically given temporary protection,
• if the parent holds a residence permit at the moment of the child's birth, the child also receives a residence permit and the parent has to the register the child's birth in the population register in order to get this. In this case, the parent only has to apply for a residence permit card for the child,
• if the parent holds a visa, she can apply for a visa for the child as well.

As the child's legal bases for stay depend of several different aspects, we recommend also contacting the migration consultants of the Police and Border Guard Board who will give advice and further instructions. You can find the contacts at politsei.ee

The joint body of Enterprise Estonia and Kredex is offering advice and support to all Ukrainian companies that wish to relocate to Estonia. The consultants assist with finding office space, a place to live, finding schools and kindergarten vacancies and, if necessary, help to organise transport between Estonia and the Ukrainian border. The contact information of the consultants can be found on the web page: https://investinestonia.com/for-ukrainians.

Ukrainian war refugees can open an account for free and get a PIN calculator for free to use the digital channels at most Estonian banks. Several banks also waive the account maintenance and transaction fees for a while.

As payments in Euros move the fastest, the payer should also prefer Euro payments if possible. More information on the conditions for opening an account and the necessary documentation at Swedbank, SEB, LHV, Luminor, Coop Pank and TBB bank can be found at https://pangaliit.ee/conditions-for-opening-a-bank-account-for-war-refugees-holding-ukrainian-citizenship.

Elron and the Transport Administration in cooperation with public transport centres allow Ukrainian war refugees to travel for free in trains, as well as city and county bus lines. The right to travel for free does not extend to commercial bus lines (e.g. the Tallinn-Tartu bus lines).

The right to travel for free is not automatic: war refugees need to get a relevant public transport card from the local municipality or regional public transport centre in order to prove their right; the card is valid in trains, trams, trolleybuses, as well as buses all across Estonia. A train passenger must additionally be able to show an identity document.

Good to know:

• The following public transport cards can be used to prove to the ticketing system that one has the right to travel and right to a discount: Ühiskaart of Tallinn and Harju County (the so-called green card), the Atko Kohtla-Järve Ühiskaart, the GoBus Ühiskaart, the Ridango Ühiskaart, the Tartu Ühiskaart, the Pärnu County Ühiskaart, the Viljandi Ühiskaart, and the Ühiskaart of the Road Administration.
• The public transport cards can be cross-used: i.e. a Ukrainian war refugee can use the Tallinn Ühiskaart to also travel for free in Tartu and vice versa.

Exchange for Ukrainian hryvnias is currently only available in Estonia at Tavid currency exchange bureaux. Exchange rates and more information can be found from the Tavid website.

Several Ukrainian banks are also continuing to provide digital payment services (cards and payments) despite the war. This means that Ukrainian refugees that have reached Estonia should try whether the bankcards issued by Ukrainian banks work in Estonia. If they work, then those cards can be used for paying in stores and for withdrawing cash in Euros. The exchange rate for hryvnias in such transactions is set by the Ukrainian bank that issued the bankcard.

Good to know: the Ukrainian Central Bank recommends that people who leave Ukraine let the hryvnias stay on their bank account. In many instances the Ukrainian bankcards work outside Ukraine as well and in that case the exchange rate for making card payments and withdrawing cash is significantly cheaper than in would be at a currency exchange bureau: bank.gov.ua.

Contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia (phone +372 601 5815, Lahe 6, 10150 Tallinn). If a parent has a document, but their child doesn't, it is also necessary to turn to the Ukrainian Embassy. At the Embassy, the child's data will be entered into the parent's passport or a certificate containing the child's personal data will be issued.

No, registering does not give refugee status but it lets the local government know who has arrived in the area and who needs services provided to them.

Ukrainian citizens and their family members can currently stay in Estonia without a visa. Those Ukrainians who arrived starting from February 24, 2022 can apply for temporary protection in Estonia if they so wish. Temporary protection is a one year residence permit that gives Ukrainian citizens and their family members the same rights as Estonian residents have. Applying for temporary protection is not obligatory for Ukrainian war refugees, but would guarantee them access to different services and benefits on the same basis as other Estonian residents.

A personal identification code is a unique number combination given by the state of Estonia, based on which it is possible to enter a person's data into various databases (e.g. the Education Information System, the Health Fund, the Social Insurance Board, the information systems of local governments etc.). A personal identification code is not a residence permit and does not give the automatic right to use different services, but it does simplify the administration as it allows for the technical processing the person's information in different Estonian databases. Among other things, a personal identification code is also necessary for working and using many health care services. Applying for a personal identification code is not obligatory.

There are three ways to apply for a personal identification code:

1. Apply for a personal identification code from tthe local government of the county centre (in Estonian). The application must be submitted personally by the person herself.
2. Apply for temporary protection at a service office of the Police and Border Guard Board. A personal identification code is given with it.
3. If you already have a job and your employer registers your short-term employment, you will be given a personal identification code. In this case you do not have to apply for temporary protection separately.

This depends on their date of arrival in Estonia and their reasons for stay. Those who may temporarily remain in Estonia are:

• Ukrainian citizens who came to Estonia before February 24, 2022,
• Ukrainian citizens and their femily members who can be subject to temporary protection (war refugees).

All other Ukrainian citizens must still apply for a basis for stay (e.g. a visa) to remain in Estonia.

If a citizen of another country has difficulties returning to his country of residence and a need to stay in Estonia longer than his current legal basis for stay allows (e.g. visa freedom or visa), it is possible to submit an application to extend his period of stay. More about extending the period of stay can be read on the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Legal acts that have been translated into Ukrainian are the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, the Aliens Act, the Act on Granting International Protection to Aliens and the Citizenship Act. The translations can be found on the web page of Riigi Teataja. If necessary, the Estonian wordings of these same legal acts currently in force (from the right corner: "Vali redaktsioon" - "Hetkel kehtiv") also have references to the translations into Russian and English.

The current English translations of all Estonian legal acts can be found from the English website of Riigi Teataja.

Important: the translations help persons who do not speak Estonian to better understand the laws but in official proceedings (e.g. in court disputes), the basis for implementation can only be the Estonian text published in Riigi Teataja.

Yes. The validity period of the driver's license depends on the person's status:

• The Ukrainian driver's license of a recipient of temporary protection is valid in Estonia throughout their period of temporary protection. The driver's license continues to be valid also if it has expired (e.g. a 2-year license) or if the person cannot provide a translation or an international license. The Ukrainian driver's license of a recipient of temporary protection will not be exchanged in Estonia (even if the recipient of temporary protection has a permanent residence in Estonia according to the population register).

• The Ukranian driver's licence of a person permanently residing in Estonia (without temporary protection) is valid in Estonia for 12 months starting from when its holder settled in Estonia permanently according to the data in the population register. After that, the licence has to be exchanged at a service bureau of the Transport Administration. More information on exchanging the licence and required documents is available on the web page of the [Transport Administration] (https://transpordiamet.ee/en/foreign-driving-licence)

• The Ukranian driver's licence of a person temporarily staying in Estonia (e.g. those who were temporarily staying in Estonia before 24.02.2022 and have not been able to leave and who do not have temporary protection or a residence permit) is valid in Estonia whole the whole duration of their lawful dtay (the legal grounds for staying in Estonia is provided in subsection 309(14) of the Aliens Act) and is not exchanged. All licences and certificates of competence issued in Ukrain that have expired after 31 December 2021 are deemed valid.

More information about exchanging a driver's license can be found on the web page of the Transport Administration transpordiamet.ee.

Yes, but this depends on whether her temporary protection is valid and in which country it has been granted. One cannot have temporary protection status in two countries at once but the person under temporary protection has the right to choose in which country she is exercising her rights.

No specific limit has been placed on the deadline or number of visits. It is allowed to travel back home in order to assess the situation there. The important part is the temporary nature of the visit. Should it become necessary to assess the length of the visit, the proportionality with the length of the residence permit might be taken into account (the length of the residence permit granted based on temporary protection is one year).

No, an application for temporary protection can be submitted only at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board. The necessary information and the possibility to book and appointment can be found on the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Temporary release from the visa obligation:

• Ukrainian citizens are allowed to remain in Estonia even if their visa or other basis for stay has expired or is about to expire. There is no need to specifically apply for the extension of the visa or other basis for stay.
• citizens of other countries: if a person has difficulties returning to his country of residence and thus a need to stay in Estonia longer than his current legal grounds allow (e.g. a limited visa-free period or a visa is about to expire), it is possible to submit an application to extend the period of stay. Read more about the extension of the period of stay from the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Short-term employment (up to 365 days):

• if you find suitable work in Estonia, your employer can register you as a short-term employee, that is accompanied by a long-term visa (for up to 12 months). The employer can submit the application both online and at a service office of the Police and Border Guard Board, and the processing takes up to 15 days. As a short-term employee you are not eligible to the temporary housing offered to war refugees in Estonia or the social benefits (e.g. the unemployment benefit, family benefits) but you are guaranteed a stable income.

A residence permit based on international protection:

• If you need international protection, you can submit an asylum application in Estonia. The application can be submitted in any service office of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) (more information: www.politsei.ee). Ukrainian citizens can apply for asylum with a simplified procedure and the objective of the PPA is to conclude the procedure in one month (the maximum processing time is up to six months, which is definitely not necessary in the case of Ukrainian war refugees). The status of international protection is granted on various bases:

  • if you are in danger at home due to a war or some other serious threat, you can receive the status of subsidiary protection and a temporary residence permit valid for one year. It is possible to extend this for two-year periods.
  • if you have reason to fear persecution in your home country based on your race, religion, ethnicity, social group or political beliefs, you can receive refugee status and a temporary residence permit valid for three years. It is possible to extend this for three-year periods.

• The assistance regarding reception is the same for all types of international protection (i.e. refugee status, subsidiary and temporary protection). This means that you are entitled to work, receive services and benefits from the Estonian state on equal basis with the local residents. This includes housing organised in an accommodation facility or elsewhere, if necessary, and assistance in finding a permanent place of residence after receiving protection. For Ukrainian citizens, the Estonian state is ensuring housing and subsistence for four months just like they do for war refugees that have applied for temporary protection.

• Generally, it is not allowed to work during the processing of the asylum application, but if there was a prior legal basis for it, it is also allowed to continue working during the processing of the international protection application (i.e. if the person has a valid registration of short-term employment). If the person did not have a preceding right to work, he is not allowed to work in Estonia before receiving international protection.

Temporary protection is a residence permit for living in Estonia and does not automatically grant the right to work in other countries. If you wish to start working in another country, you have to find out the rules for working at a particular country and apply for the permits necessary for that.

Yes, the recipient of temporary protection can renounce temporary protection at any time in order to return to her home country or go to live in some other member state. If the return to the home country is permanent, it is sufficient to notify the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). PPA will declare your residence permit void.

Upon a permanent relocation to another member state it is necessary to submit an application in that new member state. In the course of granting a residence permit on the basis of a new temporary protection it is checked whether temporary protection has already been granted elsewhere. In that case you have to choose in which member state you will settle permanently and the other residence permit is declared void.

There three types of international protection: a refugee, a beneficiary of subsidiary protection and a recipient of temporary protection. The people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been created the possibility to receive temporary protection. Of the three, this option is the easiest and fastest.

Temporary protection is a simplified and fast exceptional process, where it is checked whether the person is part of the target group. If everything is in order, the decision is made immediately and the person is given the time within which she will receive the residence permit card (up to 30 days). For a refugee or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection, the processing of an asylum application could take up to six months.

Temporary protection is a temporary residence permit (valid until March 2025) that entitles the person to accommodation and food, health care services, employment, benefits and allowances, social services, education, language learning and an adjustment programme.

A Ukrainian citizen who has received temporary protection has the same status as any other third country citizen who has a residence permit in Estonia. A third country citizen who has an Estonian residence permit is allowed to stay in another Schengen member state for 90 days within a 180-day period (it should be taken into account that not all European Union member states are in Schengen). In order for a Ukrainian citizen who has received protection to be able to stay in a member state longer, she has to apply for the corresponding state's long term visa or residence permit.

No. In accordance with the decision of the Police and Border Guard Board, the third country (e.g. Russian) citizen family members of a Ukrainian citizen who has staying in Estonia before February 24 can stay in Estonia without a visa but they are not entitled to temporary protection, regardless of when they arrived in the country. If they wish, they can apply for international protection under the regular process.

Family members who have another citizenship can apply for temporary protection if they arrived in Estonia with a Ukrainian citizen who was living in Ukraine prior to February 24 and left Ukraine due to the military conflict starting from February 24, 2022. Stateless persons and citizens of other third countries, as well as their family members can apply for temporary protection if they had international protection in Ukraine prior to February 24. Family members are a spouse, a partner, underage unmarried children, and other close relatives who were living in the same household and were the dependents of a Ukrainian citizen or a person who was under international protection in Ukraine and who fled from the war to Estonia starting from February 24. Family members are considered to be a family if the family was staying and their place of residence was in Ukraine even before February 24.

Temporary protection is a one-year residence permit. Should the war in Ukraine continue, it will be possible to extend the temporary protection if necessary. Along with applying for temporary protection, the war refugee will also get an Estonian personal identification code. Applying for temporary protection is not compulsory for war refugees but will afford them the same access to different services and benefits as Estonian residents have.

Temporary protection in Estonia is available for:

• those Ukrainian citizens and their family members who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 and have arrived in Estonia starting from February 24, 2022.
• those stateless persons and citizens of some other third country who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 and arrived in Estonia after February 24, 2022, and who had international protection in Ukraine, as well as their family members.

Who is considered to be a family member?

A family member of a war refugee is their spouse or partner, their underage unmarried child, and other close relatives that lived in the same household with the war refugee and were their dependents. Family members are deemed to be a family if the family stayed and the family's place of residence was in Ukraine even before February 24, 2022.

Temporary protection does not extend to Ukrainian citizens or their family members who lived or stayed in Estonia before February 24, 2022. Those citizens are still covered by the decision of the Police and Border Guard Board that allows to temporarily remain in Estonia even if other bases for stay (e.g. visa freedom or a visa) have expired.

Temporary protection can be applied for at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Jõhvi or Narva. Prior booking at broneering.politsei.ee is necessary.

Persons who can apply for temporary protection:

• those Ukrainian citizens and their family members who arrived in Estonia starting from February 24, 2022.
• those stateless persons and third country citizens who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 and arrived in Estonia starting from February 24, 2022, as who had international protection in Ukraine, as well as their family members

Who is considered to be a family member?

A family member of a war refugee is a spouse or partner, underage unmarried child and other close relatives who lived in the same household and were the dependents of the war refugee. Family members are deemed to be family if the family was staying and the family's place of residence was in Ukraine even before February 24, 2022.

Temporary protection does not extend to those Ukrainian citizens and their family members who were staying in Estonia before February 24, 2022. Those citizens are still covered by the decision of the Police and Border Guard Board that allows them to temporarily remain in Estonia even if their other bases for stay (e.g. visa freedom or a visa) have expired.

Yes, the consent of one parent is sufficient. § 120 subsection 3 of the Family Law Act (PKS) says that: "If making a joint declaration of intention of the parents would cause a delay in conflict with the interests of the child, one parent has the right to enter into necessary transactions and perform necessary acts in the interests of the child also alone. In this case the other parent shall be immediately informed of the acts." That is, according to the Family Law Act it is legal, for instance, for only one parent to apply for the residence permit if it is known that reaching the other parent would be complicated, and this is quite probable in a war situation.

As recipients of temporary protection, the war refugees get the right to receive subsistence benefits, family benefits, social benefits, as well as labour market services and labour market support on the same basis as other people who live in Estonia permanently or temporarily.

• Applying for subsistence benefits takes place at the local government and it is calculated based on the income of the household. Subsistence benefits cover housing costs and an additional benefit: the first family member gets 1 x the subsistence level (€200), the second adult family member gets 0.8 x the subsistence level (€160) and underage children get 1.2 x the subsistence level (€240).

After receiving temporary protection and a residence permit, it is possible to apply for and receive family benefits and a social benefit for a person who is of retirement age.

In 2024, the size of the child benefit is €80 a month for the first and the second child and €100 for the third and each following child. Starting from three children, a €450 a month allowance for a family with many children is paid; starting from seven children, the benefit is €650 a month. Each child has the right to a child benefit from birth until they turn 19. The allowance for a family with many children is paid until the youngest child in the family turns 19.

• If a child is born into a family or a family has a child under the age of three, one parent has the right to get a parental benefit. A parent who has arrived in Estonia with a child who is less than a year and a half old will be paid a parental benefit of €725 a month for up to 545 days. The exact number of parental benefit days depends on the age of the child and the start of the parent's residence permit. The payment of parental wage comes with health insurance.

• The pension of war refugees who have received temporary protection will continue to be paid by the Ukrainian Pension Board. If you are of retirement age (born in 1960 or earlier) and your Ukrainian pension is smaller than the Estonian national pension rate (€372.05 starting from April 1, 2024), you will be able to apply for the difference to be covered from the Social Insurance Board.

Good to know:

• The family benefits, the parental benefit and the social benefit are counted as income of a family that is a recipient of a subsistence benefit, and the subsistence benefit decreases accordingly.

• For receiving any of the benefits (except the subsistence benefit) it would be good if it is possible to pay the benefit to the person's Estonian bank account but it is also possible to transfer the benefits to a bank account of a third person (a close one, an acquaintance).

No, you are not. The right to apply for temporary protection extends to only those Ukrainian citizens and their family members who arrived in Estonia starting from February 24, 2022.

If your visa or residence permit is about to expire, do not worry -- all Ukrainian citizens currently have the right to stay in Estonia even without applying for protection.

Preparation:

• Book an appointment at a Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) service office suitable to you. It is possible to apply for temporary protection in bigger service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board all over Estonia: broneering.politsei.ee.
• If possible, fill out the application form for yourself as well as your family members beforehand. The application forms can be found on the web page of politsei.ee.
• Bring along identity documents or other documents (e.g. a birth certificate). If you have no documents, then, before applying for temporary protection, you need to contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia (Lahe 6, 10150 Tallinn, +372 601 5815) who is issuing Ukrainian citizens a certificate containing identity information.

At the PPA service office:

• An official takes a document photo of you (or directs you to the digital box at the location to have your photo taken) and records your fingerprints, after which you will be able to submit your application for temporary protection and your application for a residence permit card.

The decision about granting temporary protection is usually taken immediately and you will receive a paper confirming the decision, along with your personal identification code. In isolated cases, the applicant will be referred to an additional check, i.e. the decision is not taken on the spot.

You will receive your residence permit card within 30 days from submitting the application, from the same PPA service office where you submitted the application. Until receiving your residence permit card, you can prove your status with the decision.

It is necessary to bring along identity documents or other documents (e.g. a birth certificate).

If the documents are missing, it is necessary to contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Estonia (Lahe 6, 10150 Tallinn, +372 601 5815), who issues Ukrainian citizens a certificate containing their identity information.

We recommend filling out the application form for all family members as well beforehand. The applications are available in the service offices and on the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board (the forms are in Estonian, Russian, and Ukrainian).

A war refugee will get the residence permit card within 30 days from submitting the application (will be issued at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board). In the meantime, the person can prove her status with the decision on granting a temporary residence permit that will be issued by the official who accepted the application.

Along with the decision of the Police and Border Guard Board, the applicant will also immediately get a personal identification code and there is no need to do anything further for that. The decision on granting temporary protection is usually taken immediately, in isolated cases the applicants will be referred to further checks.

Temporary protection can be applied for at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board, open 9:00-17:00 on working days):

• Tallinn: Tammsaare service office (A. H. Tammsaare tee 47, 11316 Tallinn)
• Tartu police station (Riia mnt 132, 50096 Tartu)
• Jõhvi police station (Rahu 38, 41532 Jõhvi)
• Pärnu police station (A. H. Tammsaare pst 61, 80010 Pärnu)
• Narva police station (Vahtra 3, 21003 Narva)

An appointment should be booked ahead of time at broneering.politsei.ee for submitting the application for temporary protection at a service office.

We recommend filling out an application form for all family members ahead of time and ask you to bring along all identity or other documents (e.g. a birth certificate). The forms are available at the service offices.

Temporary protection is available for those Ukrainian citizens and their family members who left Ukraine starting from February 24, 2022. It is also available for those citizens of other countries who had international protection in Ukraine, and their family members, who arrived in Estonia starting from February 24. Temporary protection does not extend to the Ukrainian citizens who were living or staying in Estonia before February 24, 2022. They are still covered by the decision of the Police and Border Guard Board that allows them to temporarily stay in Estonia even if other bases for stay (e.g. visa freedom or a visa) have expired.

This depends on the moment that the temporary was applied for:

• temporary protection that was applied for until September 9, 2023 is valid for one year after which it is necessary to submit a new application to extend it.
• temporary protection that is applied for starting from September 10, 2023 will be valid until March 3, 2025.

No, it is not obligatory to apply for temporary protection. All Ukrainian citizens have the right to remain in Estonia regardless of whether they apply for temporary protection.

There is not.

Applying for temporary protection is not obligatory for a Ukrainian war refugee and currently all Ukrainian citizens have the right to stay in Estonia also without applying for protection.

Yes, as a recipient of temporary protection, you have an obligation to complete an A1 level Estonian language course (100 academic hours). The state is offering free language courses as contact learning across Estonia and as an online course. Additional information and registration: settleinestonia.ee. If you want to develop your Estonian language skills further on your own, you can do it in the Keeleklikk environment: www.keeleklikk.ee.

Additionally, the recipients of temporary protection also have to complete a one-day (about 7 hours in total) adaptation programme on the operation of the Estonian state and society, everyday organisation of life, the cultural, language and working environment, and other topics. It is possible to participate in the training in different regions of Estonia or online, the course takes place in Ukrainian and Russian. The start of an adaptation programme is notified by e-mail. More information can be requested from the e-mail address seminar@settleinestonia.ee or read from the web page settleinestonia.ee.

Yes, the notice of residence for the entry of data into the Estonian population register must be submitted to the city or rural government of residence within one month of receiving temporary protection.

Having or extending temporary protection is not obligatory. Every Ukrainian citizen has the right to remain and live in Estonia even without applying for temporary protection but in that case she will not have a residence permit or the social guarantees that come with it.

You can submit the application to extend temporary protection at the Police and Border Guard Board self-service web portal asylum.politsei.ee no sooner than three months before the residence permit expires. It is recommended to submit the extension application no later than a month before the residence permit expires. The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) recommends submitting the extension application no later than one month before the residence permit expires.

Attention! If your temporary protection residence permit has already expired, you can only submit an application to extend temporary protection at the Police and Border Guard Board service office.

Starting from September 10, 2023, applying for temporary protection requires:

• visiting the service office of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and taking a new document photo at the digital kiosk. You can find the locations and opening times of the service offices on the politsei.ee web page.

• submitting an application to extend temporary protection in the self-service portal asylum.politsei.ee. When submitting the application, your personal identification code and your residence permit card information will be asked, and you can indicate the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) service office from which you wish to receive your new residence permit card.

• in certain cases there might be need to ask additional questions from you. If this is the case, you will be contacted specifically.

Good to know! We recommend taking the document photo before submitting the application on the self-service portal. Temporary protection is only extended after the applicant has also taken a new photo of herself in the service office of PPA, in addition submitting the application.

You can extend temporary protection no sooner than three months before the residence permit expires. It is recommended to submit the extension application no later than a month before the residence permit expires.

• Stop by a Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) service office suitable for you and take a new photo for your document at the digital kiosk. You can find the locations and opening times of the service offices from politsei.ee.
• Submit an application to extend temporary protection at the PPA self-service portal asylum.politsei.ee. NB! When submitting an application, make sure enter an e-mail address that you yourself read.
• After submitting the application at the web portal you will receive the confirmation that your application has been accepted on your e-mail, along with a reminder that protection is extended only after the applicant has also taken a new photo of themselves at the PPA service office
• Once the extended residence permit card is ready, you will receive an e-mail informing you that you can go and pick up your residence permit card at the Police and Border Guard service office you chose.

Good to know!

• You can also take the document photo after submitting the extension application at the self-service portal but in order to simplify the process, we recommend stopping by the service office before.
• If necessary, the extension application could also be submitted on the spot at the PPA service office (the application forms can be downloaded for reading and/or prior filling from the politsei.ee web page).

This depends on the moment that the temporary was applied for:

• temporary protection that was applied for until September 9, 2023 is valid for one year after which it is necessary to submit a new application to extend it.
• temporary protection that is applied for starting from September 10, 2023 will be valid until March 3, 2025.

Extending the temporary protection residence permit is free for Ukrainian citizens.

Upon submitting an application you have to indicate from which service office of the Police and Border Guard Board you wish to receive your residence permit card. If you wish to change the document receival location later, you have to pay for it.

A person's place of residence has to be registered in the population register in order to extend temporary protection. A place of residence can be registered at the local government. In order to register a place of residence, you must present a document attesting to the use of the space (e.g. a lease contract) or consent of the owner of the space. If there is a lease contract, that is sufficient and there is no need to present the owner's consent as well.

If you are moving from one town, city district or local municipality to another, you also have to update your information at the population register. This is necessary in order for the local municipality to be able to plan kindergarten and school places, pay subsistence and home leasing supports.

Starting from June 1, 2022, the maximum benefit is €1200, which is the rate of six times the subsistence level. The one-time compensation covers costs related to leasing a permanent place of residence, which include rent, a broker fee, a security deposit, and costs of essential furnishings and minor repairs etc.

The benefit is assigned based on need, which means that it is not paid automatically to everyone. In order to receive the benefit, a Ukrainian war refugee must have:

• received temporary protection in Estonia
• registered as a resident of a local municipality
• presented a lease contract to a local municipality, as well as cost documents if any costs have been incurred in connection with the residential space.

The assistance need of a war refugee is evaluated by the local municipality (KOV) that uses this evaluation to determine whether and in what amount the benefit will be paid. Even though only a war refugee can apply for the benefit, the KOV may decide who will be compensated for the costs: whether the war refugee herself, the lessor, or someone else who covered the corresponding costs (e.g. purchasing furniture or home appliances, repair works etc.)

The compensation of costs covers lease contracts signed after February 24. To get the compensation, it is necessary to present the local municipality the cost documentation and the lease contract, which prove the costs incurred.

The costs are only compensated on the basis of cost documentation (invoices) and/or a lease contract.

This is decided by each municipality on its own. It is recommended to follow the municipality's web page or call the contact phones in order to get information.

This depends fully on how quickly the local municipality processes it but the usual ruling principle in social protection is that a monetary compensation is paid within 30 calendar days starting from the decision on granting the compensation.

When compensating the costs, the assistance need of the applicant is evaluated by the local municipality that uses this evaluation to determine whether and in what amount the costs related to concluding a lease contract will be compensated. Regardless of whether the costs have been incurred before or after June 1, the maximum rate of compensation is €1200, based on invoices.

Local municipalities pay the compensation to the lessor of the residential space, or the war refugee who has received temporary protection and started residing in some local municipality, also registering her residence there. The compensation is paid once, the costs related to translation services are compensated in the course of two years. The need for the compensation is assessed by the local municipality.

The one-time benefit covers the costs related to renting a permanent place of residence, which include e.g. rent, a broker fee, a security deposit, and costs of essential furnishings and minor repairs etc. Upon submitting the application it is necessary to present a lease contract and relevant cost documentation (e.g. invoices that have to do with repairs to the residential space or buying the essentials).

The following conditions have to be met:

• you have to have received temporary protection in Estonia
• your place of residence has to have been entered into the population register
• you have to have an open-ended or a long-term lease contract
• the lease contract or the contract for the use of a residential space must be concluded in written form.

You can apply for the one-time benefit at the local municipality.

No, the compensation is paid only once. This applies even if a war refugee, for instance, moves from one municipality to another.

The applicant's data is entered into the information system STAR, which can be checked to see whether the person has received prior compensation for lease contract related costs in some other local municipality.

The objective of compensating the costs related to leasing a permanent place of residence is to support the initial adjustment of the recipients of international (including temporary) protection. The applicant should thus be the war refugee herself. However, the local municipality has the right to decide whether the costs are compensated to the recipient of international protection or the lessor. The important thing is that the compensated costs have to concern only the one-time concluding of the lease contact or translation services.

To make the administration easier, the lessor may go along to the local municipality when the application for compensation is being submitted but the applicant as such should still be the war refugee herself.

In order to apply for the one-term benefit, the Ukrainian war refugees have to be recipients of temporary protection and also registered as residents of a local municipality. The benefit is not paid automatically, it is necessary to present a lease contract to get it, and if costs related to the residential space (e.g. minor repairs or essential furnishings) have been incurred, it is also necessary to present the documents regarding those.

A war refugee's need for assistance is evaluated by the local municipality, who base their decision on whether and in what amount the benefit will be paid on that evaluation.

Starting from June 1, 2022, the maximum benefit is €1200, which is the rate of six times the subsistence level (€200).

If an applicant or recipient of temporary or international protection refuses the offered temporary accommodation where she was been referred, she has to confirm her refusal with a signature and find accommodation for herself and her family at her own expense.

If you are having difficulties with registering your residence (for example, you are unable to obtain the consent of the owner of the space), please contact the city or rural government of your place of residence (contacts) or city district government in Tallinn (contacts) for assistance.

The local government can initiate the procedure for entering residence data in the population register at its own initiative, as a result of which the following will be entered in the population register as a person's residence data:

• the address with the accuracy of a rural municipality or a city, in Tallinn with the accuracy of a city district) (the exact address of the space will be given as an additional address if possible) or
• the address with the accuracy of the address of the space.

If you have any problems with submitting the address of your residence at the local government, please contact the Ministry of the Interior at the e-mail address elukoht@siseministeerium.ee.

Once you have submitted a notice of residence, you will become an Estonian resident according to the population register.

In the case of state and local government services, which are provided only to the residents of Estonia or a certain local government, your residence data in the population register are used as a basis for the provision of the service. Thus, if your residence information is in the population register, you will be able to receive various state and local government services and benefits that depend on the place of residence, for example:

• free public transport,
• social assistance
• health care services (e.g. a family doctor).

In order to notify the Estonian population register of your address, you have to present a notice of residence to the city or rural government of your residence (contacts), in Tallinn to the city district government (contacts). You can download the form of the notice of residence for reading or filling it in Estonian or English.

You can submit a notice of residence in several ways:

• by going to the local government;
• by sending the notice and a copy of the page of your identity document that contains your personal data to the local government by mail;
• by sending a digitally signed notice to the e-mail of the local government (to fill it out more conveniently, download a modifiable PDF form in Estonian or in English);
• by submitting the notice at the e-population register (entering the portal requires an Estonian ID card, Mobiil-ID or Smart-ID).

NB! If you run into any issues regarding submitting the address of your residence at the local government, please turn to the Ministry of the Interior at elukoht@siseministeerium.ee

Good to know:

• Residence data must be submitted for entry into the Estonian population register within one month of receiving a residence permit.
• If several people live at the same address with you, you can submit a joint notice of residence. The notice of residence must be signed by all adults listed on the notice.
• If you are not the owner of the space, you must submit a document certifying the use of the space (e.g. lease contract) or the consent of the owner of the space. One of these documents is enough – i.e if you have a lease contract, it is not necessary to additionally present the owner's consent.
• If you have joint custody of a child, the consent of both parents is required to change the residence data of the child. A rural municipality, city, or city district government may make an exception to this requirement if it is in the best interests of the child to enter their residence data in the population register (e.g. to ensure the necessary services) and it is not possible to obtain the consent of the other parent.
• Pursuant to the law, you must submit the data of the new residence to the population register within 14 days.

If necessary, the Police and Border Guard Board will direct the person temporarily to state organised accommodation. Emergency social aid, including accommodation, is also provided by local governments.

In addition, the Social Insurance Board in cooperation with Kinnisvara24 has opened a real estate portal that gathers together accommodation that people are offering specifically to Ukrainian war refugees: kinnisvara24.delfi.ee/en/ukraini.

The real estate portal kinnisvara24.delfi.ee/en/ukraini offers housing opportunities all across Estonia.

Yes, the notice of residence for the entry of data into the Estonian population register must be submitted to the city or rural government of residence within one month of receiving temporary protection.

The person responsible for the existence and veracity of the residency information of a minor child is his legal representative, i.e. the parent or guardian who has custody of him. If the child does not have a legal representative, the role of the guardian is performed by the local municipality where the child is living or staying.

Emergency social aid, including housing, is provided by local governments.

In addition, the Social Insurance Board in cooperation with Kinnisvara24 has opened a real estate portal that gathers together accommodation that people are offering specifically to Ukrainian war refugees. It is also possible to find housing that is offered for free there. More specific information kinnisvara24.delfi.ee/en/ukraini.

The state provides accommodation on the basis of need. The Police and Border Guard Board can direct a person to short term accommodation if during the process of applying for temporary or international protection, the person has stated that they have no place to stay during the proceedings.

As emergency care, accommodation is provided by the local government (KOV) where the refugee is staying.

If you have joint custody of the child with someone, it is required to have the consent of both parents to change the residence data of the child, but a city, local, or city district government can grant an exception if it is in the interest of the child to enter his residence data into the population register (e.g. to ensure necessary services).

§ 120, subsection 3 of the Family Law Act (PKS) states: "If making a joint declaration of intention of the parents would cause a delay in conflict with the interests of the child, one parent has the right to enter into necessary transactions and perform necessary acts in the interests of the child also alone. In this case the other parent shall be immediately informed of the acts." That is, according to the Family Law Act, it is correct to register a child's place of residence at the request of only one parent if it is known that attaining the consent of the other parent is complicated or impossible.

If the absence is temporary, the benefits will continue to be paid. If you have permanently settled somewhere else, the payment of benefits will also stop. To apply for benefits and services it is necessary to register in the population register. This registration is the obligation of each Estonian resident.

An example: the husband of a four-member Ukrainian family is working in Estonia and is staying here on the basis of the right to short-term employment. He has not applied for international protection and is not entitled to subsistence benefits. His wife and children, however, have temporary protection and are able to apply for subsistence benefits.

Upon applying for subsistence benefits, the wife gives the local governments the information about the incomes and housing costs of all family members, including the husband. The procedure is the same as a regular procedure, and the family's level of need for assistance is calculated.

In order to receive the pension that used to be paid out in cash in Ukraine, the pensioner should turn to the Social Insurance Board with the wish to receive their pension in Estonia based on an external contract.

Those submitting the application should, however, take into account that Ukraine unfortunately cannot transfer the pension directly to an Estonian account and pensions of other countries are paid out once in a quarter in Estonia. More information: www.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.

Unaccompanied minors have to have a legal representative, i.e. a guardian, appointed in Estonia, who will take care of the welfare of the child and represent him in necessary procedures (e.g. applying for benefits, applying for a bank card, making medical decisions etc.). Until a guardian has been appointed, the role of a guardian is taken up by the local municipality where the child has been registered (if there is no registration to residence, the local municipality on whose administrative territory the child resides).

A guardian is appointed by the court. For this, it is necessary to submit an application to the court, see the form for applying for guardianship (in Estonian). As the language of the court proceedings and administration is Estonian, the specialists of the local municipality will assist in applying for the guardianship.

If the guardianship is applied for as a provisional measure, the court will usually make its decision about appointing a guardian within up to five days. After receiving the court order, the guardian will be able to officially represent the child. The person that has been appointed a guardian is fully responsible for the child, including raising him, making decisions regarding him, taking care of his person and property, and representing him.

The guardian can apply for family benefits for the child, e.g. the child allowance and the guardianship allowance.

More specific information about unaccompanied minors and assisting them can be found on the web page of the Social Insurance Board sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/en.

A war refugee who has received temporary protection can turn to the social department of her local municipality of residence to get food aid. The local municipality will decide on adding the person to the list of people getting food aid. Eesti Toidupank (in Estonian) distributes food aid to refugees according to the lists they receive from local municipalities.

The Social Insurance Board pays the recipients of temporary protection:

• family benefits to families with children
• a benefit for people who are of retirement age
• social benefits for disabled persons, if there are health records for the person (she has her health records with her or has received health care services in Estonia and has health records here).

As recipients of temporary protection, the war refugees get the right to receive subsistence benefits, family benefits, social benefits, as well as labour market services and labour market support on the same basis as other people who live in Estonia permanently or temporarily.

• Applying for subsistence benefits takes place at the local government and it is calculated based on the income of the household. Subsistence benefits cover housing costs and an additional benefit: the first family member gets 1 x the subsistence level (€200), the second adult family member gets 0.8 x the subsistence level (€160) and underage children get 1.2 x the subsistence level (€240).

After receiving temporary protection and a residence permit, it is possible to apply for and receive family benefits and a social benefit for a person who is of retirement age.

In 2024, the size of the child benefit is €80 a month for the first and the second child and €100 for the third and each following child. Starting from three children, a €450 a month allowance for a family with many children is paid; starting from seven children, the benefit is €650 a month. Each child has the right to a child benefit from birth until they turn 19. The allowance for a family with many children is paid until the youngest child in the family turns 19.

• If a child is born into a family or a family has a child under the age of three, one parent has the right to get a parental benefit. A parent who has arrived in Estonia with a child who is less than a year and a half old will be paid a parental benefit of €725 a month for up to 545 days. The exact number of parental benefit days depends on the age of the child and the start of the parent's residence permit. The payment of parental wage comes with health insurance.

• The pension of war refugees who have received temporary protection will continue to be paid by the Ukrainian Pension Board. If you are of retirement age (born in 1960 or earlier) and your Ukrainian pension is smaller than the Estonian national pension rate (€372.05 starting from April 1, 2024), you will be able to apply for the difference to be covered from the Social Insurance Board.

Good to know:

• The family benefits, the parental benefit and the social benefit are counted as income of a family that is a recipient of a subsistence benefit, and the subsistence benefit decreases accordingly.

• For receiving any of the benefits (except the subsistence benefit) it would be good if it is possible to pay the benefit to the person's Estonian bank account but it is also possible to transfer the benefits to a bank account of a third person (a close one, an acquaintance).

If you have applied for temporary protection and received a temporary residence permit, you are entitled to subsistence benefits on the same basis as other people living in Estonia. Subsistence benefits can be applied for at the local municipality of your residence.

• The benefits are calculated according to the number of family members: the first family member gets 1 x subsistence level (€200), the second adult family member gets 0.8 x subsistence level (€160) and underage children get 1.2 x subsistence level (€240).
• If you have a place of residence for which you do not have to pay, it is possible to receive €150 a month from the subsistence allowance scheme for buying food and essential goods.
• If it is necessary to pay for utility costs (a person is living in a place where she does not have to pay rent but does have to pay for the utilities), it is required to present a contract allowing the use of the accommodation and the documents regarding the utilities in addition to the application.
• Those who are renting their housing and also have to pay for utilities need to add their lease contract along with documentation proving utility costs to their application

Family allowances, a parental benefit, and social benefit are considered income, and the amount of subsistence benefits will decrease accordingly.

Good to know: the subsistence benefits are paid only to Estonian bank accounts. If you do not have a bank account in Estonia, it is possible to get the benefit in cash or with your consent it can be transferred to a bank account of your close relative or acquaintance.

Before receiving temporary protection, disabled persons are only ensured urgent care. After a disabled person has received temporary protection and a temporary residence permit, she can apply to have the degree of her disability established; the social benefits and services of disabled persons are connected to that. At the European Union level there is no unified system on establishing disability or accepting the decision of another country, thus the decision of another country of establishing disability is not directly transferable here.

• In order to establish the degree of disability and apply for a social benefit of a disabled person, children (up to 15 years of age) and those of retirement age (64 and older) must submit an application and, if possible, their health information to the Social Insurance Board. If there is no health information, you should first turn to an Estonian doctor in order to specify your condition. If your health condition meets the conditions of establishing the degree of disability, you will be issued a type and degree of disability and a social benefit (between €12.79 and €241.64). The degree of disability will be established from the date of application.
• Those of working age (between 16 and 64) can submit an application to evaluate their capacity for work and establish the degree of disability to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund.

The degree of disability is usually established for six months to five years. Once the decision to establish the degree of disability expires, the person needs to submit a new application. The social benefit of a disabled person is issued until the end date of temporary protection. If temporary protection is extended after that or the person receives a residence permit, the payments will continue.

• As the child is entitled to a child benefit and the child has a legal basis for residing in Estonia, the parent can apply for the child allowance.
• If a child is raised by a single parent (there is no entry about a father on the birth certificate), it is possible to apply for the single parent's child allowance.
• Once the parent gets a residence permit, it also creates an entitlement to other family benefits.

The customer services of the Social Insurance Board: sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee (in Estonian).

The parent can submit an application for family benefits. The Social Insurance Board will accept it as an uncompleted application, as for the designation of a family benefit it is essential that a child who is at least 1 year old would have a legal basis for residing in Estonia (a residence permit). A child under the age of 1 does not have to have a residence permit.

The benefits will be designated from the time the residence permit is granted. It is also possible to apply for family benefits retroactively: up to six month since the entitlement appeared.

The customer services of the Social Insurance Board: sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee (in Estonian).

Yes, she can. If a person who is not the child's parent applies for the family support, the child protective services of the local municipality are included, to make sure that the person is taking care of the child.

The pension of war refugees who have received temporary protection will continue to be paid by the Ukrainian Pension Authority. For the payments to continue, you have to also prove that you are alive once a year to the regional authority of the Ukrainian Pension Fund that pays your pension.

If you are of Estonian retirement age (born in 1960 or earlier) and your Ukrainian pension is lower that the rate of the Estonian national pension (€372.05 starting from April 1, 2024), you can apply to the Social Insurance Board for the difference to be covered. In order to apply for the allowance for a person on retirement age, you need to have temporary protection, a personal identification code, a residence permit, and a bank account (a bank account of a third person is also suitable). Additionally, you need to add to the application your Ukrainian identification code and last month's bank statement, showing the size of the last Ukrainian pension payment that you received. You also have to notify the Social Insurance Board immediately if the size of the pension you are receiving from Ukraine changes (including indexation).

NB! Estonia is not taking over the payment of Ukrainian pensions, even if a war refugee who is in Estonia is not able to receive their Ukrainian pension here. If you intend to remain in Estonia longer, you can turn to the Social Insurance Board with your wish to receive your pension in Estonia based on a bilateral cooperation agreement. In that case, your application will be sent to Ukraine and in the future, Ukraine will pay your pension to Estonia once in a quarter. More information on applying to receive a foreign country's pension in Estonia can be found on the web page of the Social Insurance Board.

What to do if a person is not yet of retirement age for Estonia?

If a person was born in 1961 or later, she should go to work or register herself as unemployed at the Unemployment Insurance Fund. It is also possible to apply for the unemployment benefit. This is paid out if a person has been employed for at least 180 days within the past 12 months or been engaged in an activity that is equated to employment. Activities equated to employment are, for instance, raising/taking care of a child who is under 8 years old (also as a guardian), being hospitalized, incapacity for work/disability, officially registered caring for an elderly or a disabled person, working as a self-employed person or an entrepreneur. It is also possible to have one's work ability assessed until reaching the retirement age, and if partial or full loss of capacity for work is established, it is also possible to get a work ability allowance.

People who do not get a pension or benefits, or if those are insufficient for paying the renting costs of an apartment, can apply for subsistence benefits from the local municipality.

Estonia is not taking over the payment of Ukrainian pensions, even if a war refugee who is in Estonia is not able to receive their Ukrainian pension here.

If you intend to remain in Estonia longer, turn to the Social Insurance Board with your wish to receive your pension in Estonia based on a bilateral cooperation agreement. In that case, your application will be sent to Ukraine and in the future, Ukraine will pay your pension to Estonia once in a quarter. It must, however, be considered that the exchange of information with the Ukrainian authority could be disrupted and is not operating at the regular speed.

More information on applying to receive a foreign country's pension in Estonia can be found on the web page of the Social Insurance Board.

Yes. If you are raising a child under the age of three in Estonia, you are covered by health insurance even if you are not yet receiving parental or family benefits.

If your place of residence is in an occupied area and the local government there is not functioning, please search for information [on the website of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine]. (https://www.msp.gov.ua/news/22824.html)

No. An Estonian resident who is receiving a same type of benefit from another country is not entitled to family benefits.

Yes. All aliens who reside in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and apply for family benefits in Estonia must prove that they are not receiving family benefits from another country.

Yes. All aliens who reside in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit (e.g. a Ukrainian who resided here before 24 February 2022) and apply for family benefits in Estonia must prove that they are not receiving family benefits from another country.

You are entitled to continue to receive family benefits, but the payment of family benefits is not automatically extended with the extension of your residence permit. To continue to receive family benefits in Estonia, you must therefore submit a new application with the required documents.

Please note: both the child and the parent must have a registered place of residence in the population register.

The certificate can be sent as a scanned document or an image. The certificate can be in Ukrainian, Russian, or English.

No. A statement of a bank account or from the Dija app is not proof of the receipt/non-receipt of benefits. The document used as proof must have been issued by a competent Ukrainian authority and must contain the following information:

1. to whom the benefit is/was paid (details of the beneficiary),
2. for whom the benefit is/was paid (details of the child),
3. what type of benefit is/was paid,
4. the period during which benefits are/were paid,
5. the certificate must be signed and, if possible, stamped.

You will need to submit the following with the application for family benefits:

1. the child’s birth certificate
2. a marriage certificate (if the applicant has a different surname on the birth certificate)
3. proof of receipt/non-receipt/termination of Ukrainian family benefits
4. a school certificate (if the child is studying abroad)
5. a certificate regarding the absence of the other parent on the birth certificate (if you want to apply for child allowance for a single parent)

The certificates may be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date of submitting the application.

In order to receive family benefits, the "Application for family benefits for Ukrainian citizens" (link in Estonian) must be filled out and submitted at the Social Insurance Board's self-service via "Communication", or digitally signed to the e-mail info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.

The apploication can also be filled out on paper at the Social Insurance Board's customer service (for contacts, see sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/en).

Yes. Starting from June 1, it is possible for employers to apply for a service supporting the employment of recipients of international protection.

An employer can apply for:

• a one-time mentorship payment, in the amount of 75% of minimum wage. The mentorship payment can be applied for within four months of hiring an employee.
• compensation of professional training in the amount of up to €2500 per employee within a year of hiring the employee.
• compensation of costs related to translation services and acquiring a qualification in the amount of €500 per employee. The benefit can be applied for those employees who have been hired for at least four months or without a term.

The mentorship payment and compensation of costs cover those recipients of international protection who have received their initial Estonian residence permit as a recipient of international protection or temporary protection, or the certificate of an applicant of international protection that permits working in Estonia no more than five years ago.

The measure has been designed mainly to support the employment of Ukrainian war refugees that have received temporary protection but the conditions apply for the hiring of all recipients of international protection.

More information about applying and the conditions can be found from tootukassa.ee.

More specific information on the language requirements regarding the recruitment of Ukrainian war refugees can be found at the web page of the Language Inspectorate: www.keeleamet.ee/et/uudised/ukraina-sojapogenike-varbamisest (in Estonian).

The decision on hiring an employee is made by the employer who can also support the war refugees who have arrived from Ukraine in coping in an Estonian language environment and returning to regular life in Estonia. Some examples of the Language Act requirements to different positions:

• Servers are required to have a B1 level skill of Estonian. If a company hires a Ukrainian war refugee, it is required that informing and servicing in Estonian is ensured with work organisation measures, as, regardless of the nationality or status of the employee, the consumer still has the right to get the information and service in Estonian. Work organisation measures mean that in order to ensure client intenaction in Estonian, there must always be a colleague with a command of Estonian present in the sales area of the store or any other place where there is direct interaction with the clients, so that the colleague could assist and support the server from Ukraine if necessary.
• Nurses are required to have a B2 level skill of Estonian. A medical worker must also be entered into the medical workers' registry before she can start working. If an employee who does not speak Estonian starts working at a medical institution, the employer has to ensure that a colleague with a good command of Estonian is working with her when dealing with patients who speak Estonian, so that the colleague can translate and assist if necessary.
• Teachers are also required to have a B2 level skill of Estonian. People who have received teacher training in Ukraine will have an easier time finding work in the schools where the language of instruction in Russian, but teachers of foreign languages (English, German, French) can also be of use in schools where the language of instruction is Estonian.

All institutions where Ukrainian war refugees find employment could support their studies of Estonian. Languages have been learned in the course of everyday interactions for centuries. A motivated person obtains an elementary command of the language within a few months.

Should the Language Inspectorate get a complaint about an employee without a sufficient language skill, the inspectorate wishes to solve these kinds of customer complaints as flexibly as possible and counsel the war refugee employees in how to find opportunities to learn the language.

Information on language training can be found from the Integration Foundation and the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, which assist employers in developing the language skills of their employees, offer language training, and other services that support language learning.

Once you have received a residence permit in Estonia (e.g. based on temporary or international protection), it is possible for you to register as unemployed at the nearest office of the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Bring an identity document and the residence permit decision with you to register as unemployed. You can find more information from the web page of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund or the helpline (+372) 777 3000.

While you are searching for work you are paid an unemployment benefit if you have worked for at least 180 days in the 12 months that preceded your registration as unemployed (employment in Ukraine also counts), have been raising a child under the age of 8, been in school with a full load or in full-time study, or have been engaged in some other similar activity. The daily rate of the unemployment benefit in 2024 is €11.69, the 31-time daily rate is €362.39 and the benefit is paid for up to 270 days (about 9 months). The benefit is not paid if you have some other income that is larger than €362.39 a month.

While you are registered as unemployed, you also have health insurance coverage.

The conditions for becoming employed are the same for Ukrainian health care workers as they are for all other health care workers who have received their education in another country. This means that for professional employment thet have to be registered, and in order to get into the register, a person who has received their education in another country has to pass a compliance exam.

The compliance exam consists of an internship (four months, on average) and a written exam. A compliance exam can only be taken in Estonian. Professional health care workers are not allowed to provide health care services without having been entered into the register and they cannot be hired as doctors, dentists, nurses, or midwives.

The requirements for getting into the register are strict because the safety of the patients is paramount. However, all nurses, doctors etc. that have come from Ukraine can help as medical consultants and assistants under the guidance and responsibility of a registered health care worker. No decision on granting an exception to Ukrainian health care workers has currently been taken.

Yes, it is allowed to start working in Estonia even without applying for temporary protection. However, it is necessary to have a personal identification code to start working, which you will get when your employer registers your short-term or seasonal employment.

Short-term employment

• Without applying for temporary protection, you are entitled to a maximum of 365 days of short-term employment within a 455 day period in Estonia. For short-term employment, it is necessary for your employer to register you as a short-term employee at the Police and Border Guard Board. You will also get an Estonian personal identification code when your employer registers your short-term employment.
• To a short-term employee, an employer pays a wage in the sum of Estonian annual average gross monthly wage that has been published at the time of the application (as of January 2024, €1685). Exceptions regarding jobs that do not fall under the wage requirement can be found from the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board
• Short-term employment does not entitle you to benefits and allowances like family benefits, subsistence benefit etc.

Seasonal work

• Seasonal work is a subcategory of short-term employment. Your employer registers you at the Police and Border Guard Board as a short-term employee doing seasonal work, e.g. in agriculture, forestry, fishing, hospitality or catering sector, food production etc. It is possible to do 270 days of seasonal work within one year.
• For seasonal work, your employer has to pay you at least €4.86 (gross) an hour or €820 (gross) a month or the minimum wage in force in Estonia.
• Seasonal work does not entitle you to benefits and allowances like family benefits, subsistence benefit etc.

How to register short-term or seasonal employment at the Police and Border Guard Board?

• An employer can apply for the registration of short-term employment himself or through an authorised representative at the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board, electronically, or by mail.
• For registration, it is necessary to fill out an application, submit a digital colour photograph and a copy of the passport of the job seeker and pay the state fee. Depending on the particular position, it might be necessary to present other additional documents (e.g. an employment contract). A more exact list of documents can be found on the web page of the Police and Border Guard Board.
• As a regular procedure, the registration of short-term employment or a denial of registration is done within 15 working days of the day the processing of the application started or the day the shortcomings in the application were removed.

Yes, he is.

A Ukrainian citizen whose short-term employment was registered at the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) as of February 24, 2022, and whose allowed period of employment in Estonia has expired or will expire by May 31, 2022 can continue his short-term employment in Estonia until May 31, 2022, regardless of the limitation on the number of days. If the employment continues with the same employer, it is also not necessary to reregister the short-term employment at the Police and Border Guard Board.

If the legal basis for the Ukrainian citizens stay in Estonia (a visa) expired and the number of days allowed for short-term employment was up before February 24, 2022, he is allowed to remain in Estonia but registering for new short-term employment should be held off until the rules allow this (short-term employment can be registered for 365 days within a period of 455 days; for 270 days within a year for seasonal work).

Yes, you are. If you have been granted temporary protection and a residence permit, you are subject to the same conditions as local workers.

Contract

• Working is possible under a number of types of contracts. The best protections are granted by an employment contract (either fixed-term or permanent). The contract must be signed, but only if you agree to its terms! The contract will set out: your working time and rest time; your wage and payday; your working conditions;
• your job duties.
• Your employer must instruct and train you on how to do the job safely. Always follow safety rules (e.g., wear personal protective equipment)!

Working hours

• In Estonia, full-time employment means 40 hours of work per week. The standard working day is 8 hours long. If your working time is calculated as summarised working time, it may be longer. It is also possible to work part time.
• Whenever you work longer than agreed upon, you are working overtime. Overtime may only be worked by agreement between the parties and is compensated for with time off or 1.5 times the normal pay rate.

Resting time

• At least 11 hours of rest must be provided to workers between the end of one working day and the beginning of the next.
• At least one rest period of 36 consecutive hours must be provided each week.
• The law provides for breaks during the working day: 30 minutes for every 6 hours.
• You are entitled to at least 28 days of paid leave (holiday) each year. For every child 14 years of age and younger, both parents are entitled to use altogether 10 days of paid parental leave until the child turns 14.

Wages

• Wages are paid on your payday.
• The amount of the wages is agreed upon in the contract.
• A minimum wage has been established in Estonia, which in 2024 is €4.86 per hour or €820 per month (gross).
• Generally, the wage is paid out to a bank account, which you can open in the larger Estonian banks for free.

Leaving work

• If you want to leave your job, you must give your employer at least 30 days’ notice; however, if both parties agree, then the employment contract can be terminated at any time.
• If your employer wants to cancel your employment contract extraordinarily, they must state the reasons in writing. Employees may always contest the cancellation of their contract.
• Upon expiry of an employment contract, the employer must pay the employee remuneration that they have earned, plus compensation for any unused holiday.

You can get free counselling in employment relations and work environment from the Labour Inspectorate hotline 640 6000, on work days 9-16, or by e-mail from jurist@ti.ee. The lawyers also answer in Russian.

There are two options for starting to work:

• If you already have a valid temporary Estonian residence permit on the basis of temporary protection, international protection or on some other basis, you may start working in Estonia on the same basis as all other permanent residents of Estonia. If you want to, you can also register as unemployed at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund in order to receive support in searching for work. The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund has offices in each county: www.tootukassa.ee. It is also possible to get information regarding the Unemployment Insurance Fund by phone, by calling (+372) 777 3000.
• If you do not have an Estonian residence permit and are staying here on the basis of visa freedom or a visa, you need to find employment suitable for you here, after which your employer can register you at the Police and Border Guard Board as a short-term employee. You need to take into account that there are special requirements in force regarding short term employment (including seasonal work) both when it comes to the allowed duration of employment and the wage rate paid.

You can find a selection of job on offer from the web page of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund , but also from different portals such as cv.ee, cvkeskus.ee or from the GoWorkaBit web page that specialises in smaller jobs.

No, in order to be designated as a resident, you have to submit an application to determine residency to the Tax and Customs Board.

In order to determine residency it is necessary to submit an application for determination of residency to the Tax and Customs Board.

Residency can be determined:

• In the e-services portal of the Tax and Customs Board e-MTA
• by sending a digitally signed application for determining residency (form R) to the address emta@emta.ee
• by mail at the address Lõõtsa 8a, 15176 Tallinn
• at the service bureaus of the Tax and Customs Board.

The application must be submitted by the person himself, not, for instance, his employer or representative, by noting his valid contact information (phone number and e-mail address) on it. It is also possible to submit an application for the determination of residency retroactively.

A reply on the determination of residency will come either by e-mail or on location at a service bureau. After this, the person has to notify his employer of the change in residency.

Tax incentives are available only to those refugees who are Estonian residents for tax purposes. An Estonian resident for tax purposes is a person whose permanent place of residence is in Estonia or who is staying here for at least 183 days during 12 consecutive calendar months. You can check your residency status on the web page of the Tax and Customs Board: the inquiry of non-residency.

Important! Tax residency does not depend on whether a person has an Estonian personal identity code or not. An Estonian personal identity code does not provide an automatic tax resident status. You should also note that one person can be a tax resident of several countries at the same time. If a person is a tax resident of several countries, and in a case where Estonia has concluded a double taxation agreement with the corresponding country (see the list of countries on fin.ee, the determining factor will be where the person's family is located and where the person spends more time. Estonia and Ukraine have concluded a double taxation agreement.

A person can be a tax resident of several countries at once as well.

Estonia and Ukraine have signed an agreement on avoiding double taxation, so you would not have to pay double the taxes -- with residency in several countries, the determining factor is where the person's family is located and where he spends more time. A family is considered to be a spouse/partner and underage children.

You can check your own (or your employee's) residency status on the web page of the Tax and Customs Board: the inquiry of non-residency.

Yes. A residency does not restrict leaving Estonia at any given moment in time. Upon leaving, it is important to resubmit an application to determine residency. A person is registered as a non-resident if his place of residence in no longer in Estonia and/or he has stayed (or is planning to stay) here for less than 183 calendar days during 12 consecutive months.

Estonia and Ukraine have concluded an agreement on avoiding double taxation. If a person is concurrently both an Estonian and a Ukrainian tax resident, then the decisive factor upon leaving Estonia is the location of his family -- if the person's family remains in Estonia, the centre of his vital interests also remains in Estonia and thus he himself will remain an Estonian resident.

Yes, a child can go to school in Estonia even if she does not yet have a personal identification code or temporary protection.

It is possible to apply for a place in school or kindergarten from the local municipality. In cooperation with the local governments we are trying to ensure that all children of compulsory school age coming from Ukraine get a place in school at first opportunity.

In order to register a child, the school needs to turn to the Estonian Education Information System (EHIS) (in Estonian) where it is also possible to enter the data based only on the child's date of birth. The school cannot enter the data on its own. The contact information of the user support of EHIS: ehis.tugi@hm.ee, phone: +372 765 5050 (Mon-Fri 900 - 1600).

Once the child gets a personal identification code and temporary protection, it is the responsibility of the school to update the student's information in EHIS on their own.

The studying opportunities for Ukrainian children and youths are created by the local government, taking the family's wishes into account if possible. The default presumption is that the child will join a school where the language of instruction is Estonian. At the same time, it is difficult to predict how many children and youths will be coming to our educational institutions. If there are large numbers of additional students, it might be difficult to ensure that the schooling will take place in the exact format the family desires.

The students that have arrived from Ukraine will be offered the possibility to continue their education both in basic and general education, as well as vocational and higher education.

• Primary education, kindergartens and child care facilities for pre-school aged children (1.5-7 year olds).
• Basic education in general education schools for children and youths (7-17 year olds) for whom attending school is compulsory.
• Secondary, vocational and higher education through upper secondary schools, vocational schools, institutions for professional higher education and universities.
• Hobby education and hobby activities in hobby schools, general education schools and open youth centres, generally starting from the age of 7.
• Youth work in open youth centres and youth organisations for 7-26 year olds.

The continuation of the education of the children and youths arriving from Ukraine depends on who long the families of war refugees will stay in Estonia. Some of the families have only come for the period of military activities and are planning to return home at first opportunity. There are probably also families that are planning to stay in Estonia longer.

More about the educational opportunities can be read from the web page of the Ministry of Education and Research.

A place in a kindergarten can be applied for directly at the local municipality even before you have a personal identification, temporary protection, or a permanent place of residence.

Applying for a kindergarten spots starts with a written application submitted to the kindergarten chosen by the parent or to the local municipality. If there are free spots at the desired kindergarten, the child will be accepted.

Good to know:

• It is not compulsory to attend kindergarten in Estonia.
• The responsibility for the availability of pre-school education falls on the local government, who has the obligation to ensure all 1.5-7 year old children in their service area a possibility to attend kindergarten if their parents so wish.
• At the consent of the parent, the kindergarten spot of a 1.5 to 3 year old child can be replaced with a child care service.

A place in a school or a kindergarten can be applied for at the local municipality even before you have a personal identification, temporary protection, or a permanent place of residence. In cooperation with local municipalities, we are trying to ensure a place in school at first opportunity to all children coming from Ukraine for whom school attendance is compulsory.

Good to know:

• According to the Estonian constitution, everyone has the right to an education. Basic education (grades 1-9) is compulsory. Children who have turned seven before October 1 in the current year are expected at first grade. It is compulsory to attend school until getting a basic education or until turning 17 -- the same applies to children with foreign citizenships in Estonia.
• There is no tuition fee in the general education schools of the state and local municipalities.
• The parent has the right to decide upon the issues related to the educational path of her child for whom school attendance is compulsory, like the period of staying in Estonia, instruction language, and which linguistic or cultural space they are affiliated with. Educational institutions and school holders can give recommendations to the parents and introduce their options to them.

About buying and selling medicines:

• You can buy medicines only from legal pharmacies. The closest pharmacy can be found on the map: apteegid.ravimiamet.ee (in Estonian).
• It is forbidden to buy medicines from a private person, as in this way you can never know how the medicines have been stored and what their provenance is. In addition to the fact that selling medicines in dangerous, it is also illegal.
• You should take expired or surplus medicines to a pharmacy, where they will be accepted for free. It is not allowed to through medicines in the garbage or the sewage as they contain active substances that have an effect of the environment, animals, and people.

• In Estonia, antibiotics are prescribed by a medical worker.
• Antibiotics are prescribed for treatment of bacterial diseases.
• Antibiotics do not help in case of the flu or seasonal viral infections.
• Antibiotics must be used exactly as the doctor has instructed.
• It is not allowed to reduce the length of treatment or the volume of medicine. Doing this might mean that there is not enough medicine in your organism to destroy all the bacteria and your health won't improve.

In case of a health concern, call the Family Doctor's Advice Line 1220 (+372 6346 630). Health advice is given every day in Estonian (24h), Russian (24h), and English (15.00-17.00).

• You can find the location of the nearest pharmacy at apteegid.ravimiamet.ee (in Estonian).
• You can find information on medicines from the Register of Medicinal Products (ravimiregister.ee) by entering the name of the active substance into search. The Register of Medicinal Products contains the packaging information sheets of many medicines in English and Russian.

The medicines sold in Estonia are effective, safe and of high quality. The properties of the medicines have been checked in accordance with the requirements in force in the European Union.

In case of milder health issues (a cold, pain, fever etc), a pharmacist will help to choose the medicine. She will also give instructions on the correct use of the medicine. If the health issue is more serious, it is necessary to turn to a doctor.

In Estonia, a medical worker only prescribes antibiotics to treat diseases caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are not given for the flu or seasonal viral infections.

More information regarding health and medical care, including the contact information of family doctors, can be found at www.haigekassa.ee/en/information-ukrainian-war-refugees. Health advice is given in Estonian, English and Russian by the Family Doctor's Advice Line 1220 (+372 634 6630 when calling from a foreign number).

Veterinaries or animal clinics offer help to pets that need to be checked by a veterinary.

Urgent 24/7 veterinary assistance is offered by the following clinics:

• Rannamõisa PetCity clinic, phone 15 222 (Rannamõisa tee 8, Tallinn).
• The Small Animal Emergency Clinic, phone +372 502 3191 (Mustamäe tee 44-2, Tallinn).
• Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences +372 731 3224 (during the day), +372 503 3878 (at night) (Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu).

To get emergency care, it is definitely necessary to call ahead to the clinic and let them know what problem the pet has. It is also necessary to inform the clinic of the fact that the animal in question has come from Ukraine and is in quarantine. (All dogs, cats and ferrets that have come with the Ukrainian war refugees remain in isolation in Estonia for at least 21 days). In that way, the clinic is better prepared.

The Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals helps with paying the bill for urgency medical care if you call +372 519 461 46´.

Good to know:

Different organisations are active in offering food aid and necessary equipment for pets. For instance, aid is offered by the Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals +372 519 461 46 and the Estonian Kennel Union +372 534 990 80 and info@loomakaitse.eu.

The Estonian Health Insurance Fund partially compensates prescription medicines if a person has health insurance coverage. Ukrainian war refugees who have received a residence permit and an Estonian personal identification code are not automatically covered by health insurance in Estonia, but they can apply to it on the same basis as Estonian residents, once they have their residence permit: for instance, a person working with an employment contract of more than one month is entitled to health insurance, or a person who has registered as unemployed at the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Children, pregnant women, pensioners, students, people who care for disabled persons, people with partial or full loss of capacity for work etc are also equated to those covered by health insurance, in accordance with the rules of the Health Insurance Act.

In the course of urgent and immediately necessary treatment there are also prescriptions issued if necessary but a person has to buy these out at full price.

Ukrainian war refugees who get a temporary residence permit are equal to Estonian people, i.e. they have the same rights to get health insurance, health care services or subsidised medicines etc.

Still, getting a residence permit and an Estonian personal identification code do not automatically give Ukrainian war refugees health insurance. After receiving a residence permit, they can apply for health insurance on the same basis as Estonian people: see www.haigekassa.ee/en/people/health-insurance.

For instance, a person who works with an employment contract lasting more than one month or an unemployed person registered at the Unemployment Insurance Fund gets the right to health insurance coverage. Children, pregnant women, pensioners, students etc are equated to an insured person according to the rules prescribed in the Health Insurance Act.

The state of Estonia guarantees the Ukrainian war refugees that do not have a right to health insurance coverage yet the necessary treatment if postponing or not giving it could cause the death of the person on need or permanent damage to their health.

You can find out more about health insurance and medical care from the web page of the Health Insurance Fund.

• A COVID certificate proving vaccination or recovery is not required for entering the information points or accommodation facilities.
• In order to stop the spread of the coronavirus, there are quarantine rules in place in Estonia, which also apply to the war refugees coming from Ukraine: if a person is diagnosed with the coronavirus while staying in Estonia, she has to remain in quarantine for 10 days at her place of stay. The close contacts of COVID-19 patients who have not recovered or been vaccinated against it have to remain in isolation for 7 days.
• All war refugees are guaranteed free COVID-19 vaccination in Estonia. The list of vaccination points can be found at the web page vaktsineeri.ee. For the first dose, there is a choice between the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine Comirnaty, the Moderna mRNA vaccine Spikevax, the Janssen virus vector vaccine Jcovden, or the Novavaxi protein based vaccine Nuvaxovid in Estonia. An identity document must be taken along to the vaccination appointment. While administering the first dose, the vaccinator will also immediately give an appointment for the second dose.
• If a person does not have an Estonian personal identification code yet, it is also possible to get vaccinated at vaccination points where a personal identification code and a prior registration are not needed.

Ukrainian refugees who need help with health concerns (extending a prescription, chronic diseases, other unexpected health concern) can turn to our family health centres, the list of which can be founf on the web page of the Health Insurance Fund. See more: the list of family health centres (in Estonian).

Yes, Estonian pharmacies are allowed to accept a paper prescription issued in Ukraine as ell, except for narcotic and psychotropic medicines. For the pharmacist it needs to be explicitly clear which medicine has been prescribed to the person.

It is very important that the parent do something about her anxiety. Continuing the daily routine is of good help. Do not live your life in the news; consciously take some time for yourself. Go outside with your child or do something together at home -- physical activity, fresh air and doing this together will have a calming effect.

It is necessary to be on top of news but we also have to work on ourselves, give our bodies the chance to rest and lower the anxiety levels. It is important that the children see how a parent handles a complicated situation and knowingly works on her stress.

Psychological support is offered 24/7 in Estonian, Russian and English at the crisis helpline 116 006 (+372 614 7393). It is also possible to talk online at www.palunabi.ee. The Social Insurance Board is offering free mental health web counselling that can be booked on the web page https://broneering-ska.tehik.ee/broneering/broneeri/eng/.

In addition to the victims' support helpline 116 006, there are also:

• The national children's helpline, 24/7 and free of charge, in Estonian, Russian and English: phone 116 111 (+372 600 4434) www.lasteabi.ee
• A free helpline: for Estonian call 126 (Mon-Sun 17-3); for Russian call 127 (Mon-Sun 19-23), www.usaldus.ee (in Estonian).
• The advice line of school psychologists: in Estonian call 1226 (Mon-Fri 16-20), in Russian call 1227 (Tue 16-20), and in Ukrainian call 1227 (Wednesdays 16-20). All people working with children and youths, students, parents are welcome to call these numbers. The calls are answered by a qualified school psychologist..
• Lifeline: in Estonian call +372 655 8088 (Mon-Sun 19-7), in Russian call +372 655 5688 (Mon-Sun 19-7), www.eluliin.ee.

In the current context, psychosocial crisis support is the supporting of people and families that have fled from the war, in order to reduce the effect the traumatic event has on their coping. Supporting means noticing their primary needs, giving practical aid and information, offering emotional support. Timely and available aid and support to a person helps to prevent and ease later problems and developing posttraumatic stress disorder.

Psychosocial crisis support consists of:

• giving psychological first aid;
• ensuring access to shelter, water, food and rest, i.e. the basic needs;
• giving clear instructions and information on what to do next (e.g. regarding the issues of migration, employment, education and medical care).

The primary things are human support, noticing and presence.

The Social Insurance Board is offering psychosocial crisis support to people who have fled from the war on the victim's support crisis hotline 116 006 (+372 614 7393) that offers 24/7 primary support and psychological first aid in Estonian, Russian and English.

It is also possible to talk online at www.palunabi.ee in Estonian, English and Russian.

A child's anxiety might be expressed in constantly talking about the war, wanting to find out more about it, or avoiding the topic instead. It is also a sign if a child is making jokes about war -- this might be his defence mechanism. At any rate, it is a sign of danger if the child's behaviour changes -- an open and happy child becomes worried and closed off, or if a child complains of having trouble sleeping.

It would be absolutely wrong to ridicule the child's worry in any way or to say that he should not be worried about it. Take the child's concern seriously, listen to him and discuss with him. Say that you understand his worry and that you are also worried. Say that many countries in the world are working together so that the war would end quickly.

Assure the child that even though there is a war in Ukraine, Estonia is not in a war. If it helps, look at a map together to see where the war zone is located. Do not try to predict what will happen next, just give the child hope and a sense of security.

We can be humane, notice the primary needs, and support the restoration of their emotional and physical sense of security by providing psychological first aid. Psychological first aid is direct support and aid to people in crisis. Giving first aid means making contact, listening carefully to the person in need, and offering help in solving particular problems and practical tasks, according to what is needed.

Psychological first aid can be offered by anyone who is ready and willing. Watch the video (in Estonian) and learn how to do this. Kaia Kastepõld-Tõrs from Victim Support Estonia explains the principles of helping and gives instructions on how to offer it.

We would also like to recommend an online course on psychological first aid that has been created so that helpers could learn more about how to support people in crisis. The course consists of four parts that you can cover in a tempo suitable to your needs and possibilities. Completing the course takes up to 2.5 hours. Enter the course (in Estonian).

You can get 24/7 emotional support from the victims' support crisis phone 116006 (the conversation can be held in Estonian, Russian or English).

If you have been through traumatic events and felt that the life of yourself, your close ones or even strangers has been in danger, it is natural if:

• you feel constant anxiety, are alert and startle easily;
• you cannot forget the events that took place, you get unwitting flashbacks of images or "film reels" of what happened;
• you are hearing voices from the scene again;
• you are sensing the smells that are connected to what happened;
• you feel tremors in your body, have breathing difficulties, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, aches;
• it is difficult for you to fall asleep, your sleep is troubles, you are having disturbing dreams connected to the event;
• it is difficult for you to concentrate on everyday activities and keep your mind away from the event;
• you feel helplessness or guilt -- "maybe I could have done something different in order to ease the situation or help in some way" etc.

You can read in both Russian and English from: https://peaasi.ee/en/traumatic-event/

You should know that these reactions are common and can gradually diminish and disappear on their own. If they do not pass, consult a specialist at the phone line 116006.

Yes, it is necessary to talk about the war with a child, as our children probably know more about the war that we think. War is frightening both for adults and for children. Even if we do not take up the subject ourselves, it does not mean that the child is not thinking about it.

When talking about the war with your child, keep in mind that:

• Talk about the war with age appropriate messages.
• Do not ridicule the child's worry. Assure that the war is taking place in Ukraine and there is no war in Estonia. But do not try to predict how long the war will last or whether it will spread.
• It is important to maintain the daily routine, and in addition to the child's anxiety, the parent has to deal with her own anxiety as well. Be an example to your child in how to handle stress knowingly -- fresh air, common activities, exercise etc. are all of great help there.

You can get 24/7 help in Estonian, Russian and Eglish on the subjects related to children from the Children's Helpline 116 111 and their online chat www.lasteabi.ee.

Even 4-5 year olds ask questions about what they have seen on the television. Quite often a child does not even ask but is worrying in his head. That is why it is very important to talk to a child in order to understand what is going on inside him.

Take time for your child, interact with him and listen to him. Listen to what it is that the child is really worried about, and answer him. Explain to him what is going on in a way that would answer the questions he has. War is a serious matter but a child does not have to know all the bloody details. It would be a good idea to watch the news together with teenagers and adolescents, and then have discussions, to encourage them to express their opinions, emotions and questions.

Children take their cues from their parents -- that is why it is important to monitor what kind of vocabulary we use when we talk about Ukraine. It is not a war of the Russian people, it is Putin's war, this was his decision. Very many Russian people are not satisfied with what is going on.

On social media, there are many posts from Russian people that express their dissatisfaction with the situation that has developed and are in solidarity with Estonians. Look at these posts with your children and explain the situation to them.

As in cases like these children (and also adults) might need medical help, e.g. for calming down or sleeping, the first recommendation should be a medical examination. If the arrivals do not go to the accommodation facility but rather to an acquaintance, it is possible to go to the emergency room on one's own or to call an ambulance from 112.

If the matter involves children and is in the Tallinn/Harju County region, the recommendation is to turn to the emergency room of the Tallinn Children's Hospital (Tervise 28, Tallinn, the registry of the reception open 24/7, call 697 7146). If necessary, the child in need of assistance is kept at the hospital.

If the arrivals from Ukraine are staying in an accommodation facility, an ambulance is called from 112 if necessary.

Good to know:

• The national children's helpline 116 111 (+372 600 4434) answers 24/7 in Estonian, Russian and English, www.lasteabi.ee
• The advice line of school psychologists in Estonian, call 1226 (Mon-Fri 16-20), in Russian, call 1227 (Tue 16-20), and in Ukrainian call 1227 (Wednesdays 16-20) All people working with children and youths, students, parents are welcome to call these numbers. The calls are answered by a qualified school psychologist.

You can book an appointment for counselling in Ukrainian by calling the free crisis line at 116 006 (+372 614 7393) or by writing to kriisiabi@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.

The crisis line provides counselling regarding social problems and mental health and gives information about the services of the Social Insurance Board and family physicians, if necessary.

If you need emotional support, are worried about a disease you or someone close to you has, you have existential or spiritual questions, need support while grieving, or in supporting a person dying or those close to him, call 116123.

• Counsellors offer emotional support every day 10-24.
• Pastoral care workers can be reached on the same line, 16-24.

The calls are free; it is possible to receive support in Estonian, Russian and English. More information: sotsiaalkindlstusamet.ee.

Good to know: a pastoral care worker is a theologically trained counsellor, with the obligation of discretion and confidentiality, trained to help sick, crisis or dying people

The search service of the Estonian Red Cross is the organisation dealing with reuniting family members that lost contact in the course of the war. In order to get information about a missing family member it is necessary to turn to the closest Red Cross association in person. A phone booking is necessary for an appointment and filling out the form. It is necessary to have very detailed personal data about the person being searched for, e.g. the date of birth and the last address where the person being searched for lived before the loss of contact. The searcher also has to give her data. If needed, the form that was filled out with an employee or a volunteer of the search service of the Estonian Red Cross is forwarded to the Red Cross of the relevant country or the International Committee of the Red Cross.

We would like to point out that the Red Cross helps to look for only the closest relatives, i.e. parents, children, siblings. The Red Cross is not searching for more distant relatives with whom there has been no contact for years.

It is necessary to have very detailed personal data about the person being searched for. The exact date of birth and the last address where the person being searched lived before the loss of contact. The searcher also has to give her data and consent to the processing of the data.

An appointment can be booked by calling these phones Mon-Fri 10-17:

• Tallinn: +372 6411 645; +372 5400 4534
• Rakvere: +372 5650 5806
• Narva: +372 5190 8311
• Valga: +372 5349 5715
• Võru: +372 513 3238
• Tartu: +372 5196 5856
• Pärnu: +372 508 4137
• Viljandi: +372 5330 8311
• Rapla: +372 516 5262

NB! We ask that you bring along your identity document when you come to the appointment.

The web page of the Estonian Red Cross: redcross.ee.

Large numbers of Ukrainian war refugees, including very many children, have reached Estonia. Many families have been separated from each other and lost contact. How can parents search for their children and children for their parents?

The organisation of searching for missing children in Europe Missing Children Europe has opened a pan-European web page missingchildreneurope.eu/ukraine. The web page contains the necessary references for both parents and children, as well as for people who notice a child that is alone.

Missing children can be reported to the general European helpline 116 000 that answers in Estonia as well.

Refugees staying in Estonia can call 24/7 to the hotline of SA Kadunud, +372 6616 776, where they are talked to in Russian or English. From there, the reports of children going missing or being looked for will also reach the European organisations.

Good to know: The recommendations of SA Kadunud on what information a child should have with him that would help him to get back to his parents, should he get lost:

• the phone numbers of his parents;
• the phone numbers and names of at least two contact persons that the parent(s) have in Estonia (employer, accommodation provider etc.);
• the address of the place where the child is stayning, including the street name and house number, and a little printed map with the route to the new school or kindergarten marked down;
• the phone numbers 112 and 6616 776 and the Estonian mobile phone number of an employee of the Ukrainian Embassy, as she is probably the only person who is able to speak with the child in Ukrainian if the phones of the child's mother and father are not answering;
• the child's blood type. This information has to be written down on a paper that is in a compartment of the child's backpack on in the child's pocket, or, at the very least, written on the outer side of the child's arm near his elbow.

You do not. If you are leaving Estonia temporarily, you do not have to notify the Police and Border Guard Board.

You have to inform:

• the local government of your registered place of residence;
• the police at ppa@politsei.ee
• the school, if your child/children are attending an Estonian school;
• your consultant at the Unemployment Insurance Fund, if you are registered as unemployed.

Keep in mind! To tax residents: if you are leaving Estonia permanently, you have to also present an application for the determination of residency of a natural person (form R) , on the basis of which your tax residency in Estonia will be terminated. If you are leaving Estonia in order to work in another country and your family (spouse or partner, minor children) will remain in Estonia, you will continue to be an Estonian tax resident even when working somewhere else if the country of your employment and Estonia have concluded an agreement on avoiding double taxation (for instance, if you go to work in Ukraine, but also Finland). The list of all countries with whom Estonia has concluded agreements on avoiding double taxation can be found on the web page of the Ministry of Finance www.fin.ee.

Yes, vaccinated, unvaccinated, as well as recovered foreigners are allowed to cross the national border if they are travelling through the territory of Estonia without delay (so-called transit) in order to reach their country of residence.

The Police and Border Guard Board is thoroughly checking the vehicles and people coming to Estonia and is giving the Ukrainian citizens who reach border crossing points information on how to continue travelling towards their home country through Estonia.

Due to the military activities of Russia, we are recommending to completely avoid travelling to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian air space is currently closed and travelling to the country is significantly hindered. Air traffic is operation in countries neighbouring Ukraine but routes that take to regions and countries (Russia, Belarus) connected to the armed conflict should be avoided.

Due to Russian military activity, we are recommending to totally avoid travelling to Ukraine.

We are requesting that Estonian citizens make sure to register their stay in Ukraine on the reisitargalt.ee web page (in Estonian) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or call the consular assistance phone line +372 5301 9999 (operating 24/7).

We are asking that Estonian citizens staying in Ukraine leave at first opportunity and return to Estonia.

Due to Russia's military activities, we are recommending to completely avoid travelling to Ukraine.

We are requesting that Estonian citizens make sure to register their stay in Ukraine on the reisitargalt.ee web page (in Estonian) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or call +372 5301 9999 (the consular assistance phone line is operating 24/7).

Starting from October 16, 2023, Russia is now allowing Ukrainian citizens to enter the country through the Estonian-Russian land border crossing points.

On October 10, Russia notified Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland that starting from October 16, the entry of Ukrainian citizens to Russia is temporarily restricted through all border crossing points. The only one remaining open is the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow.

According to Russia, the restrictions will not be applied to Ukrainian citizens who are under 14 years of age and are entering the Russian Federation either alone or with their legal representative, guardian or trustee who is a citizen of the Russian Federation.

Yes. If your child/children go to an Estonian school and you are leaving Estonia permanently, you have to notify the school where your child/children are studying of your departure. For this, you need to sumbit an application to the school for excluding your child/children. The application must be signed by the child's parent or legal guardian.

There are ATMs in towns and larger population centres. The network of ATMs is shown on the map at kaart.delfi.ee. You should first withdraw cash from the ATMs of your own bank. All the ATMs in Estonia are interoperable, meaning that a bankcard from one bank can be used to withdraw cash from the ATMs of all the other banks, though there may be a service fee for this, which you can find out more about from your own bank. You can find the addresses of ATMs on the websites of the banks.

• Swedbank
• SEB
• Luminor
• LHV

There are some 800 places across Estonia beyond the network of ATMs that provide cash in cooperation with Swedbank. Cash can be withdrawn from the shop tills of Coop, Grossi, R-Kiosk, Meie Toidukaubad, Aldar Marketi shops, and from Olerex and Terminal Oil service stations. The shops and service stations have more information on the conditions of the service.

If you can, try to pay with a card from a different bank. If neither card payments nor ATMs are operating, you can find information on the extent and the duration of the interruption from your bank.

If you have accounts in multiple banks, try to pay through a different one. It may be that only one bank is suffering from an outage in its services.

Even if payments between banks are interrupted, the payments within banks may still be working, so the money will reach its destination if both parties use the same bank.

If you and the person you are paying both have accounts in a bank that provides vital services, which are Swedbank, SEB Pank, Luminor Bank and LHV Pank, then payments between them will be made through Eesti Pank once a day even in an emergency.

ATMs are filled regularly and their turnover is monitored, allowing rapid reaction if they become empty. How they are filled when demand is high depends on various factors, such as the logistics of the bank and the cash transporter, the location of the ATM, and the denominations of the banknotes used in the ATM. ATMs need electricity and data communications connections in order to work. If you have problems withdrawing cash from an ATM, please contact your bank about it.

Keep a week’s worth of cash at home so that you can make essential everyday purchases even if ATMs and card payments are not working. You can also get cash from your home bank. You can find the contact details of bank offices and the services they offer from the website of your bank.

Holders of bankcards can set for themselves the maximum amount that that card can withdraw from an ATM. For the sake of security, that amount should not be too large. Different banks have different monthly limits on how much cash can be withdrawn for free, and a service fee starts to apply for amounts above that limit. You can find out about the limits and the fees from the website of your bank. A limit on the amount that can be taken from an ATM at one time may be applied in an emergency.

Banks under sanctions from the European Union and the USA are prohibited from trading in roubles. Other banks can trade freely and the exchange rate of the rouble is set by the market and by purchase and sales transactions; the exchange rate will fall if a lot of people want to sell large amounts of roubles all at the same time.

Eesti Pank does not exchange currency. If you want to exchange roubles, you should turn to a bank or bureau de change that provides that service. It should be remembered that the exchange rate of the rouble may vary between different exchange points and from day to day more widely than usual.

• Review your personal stocks of medicines and check whether you have all necessary medicines for at least a month. This way you yourself have the necessary stocks of medicines and the state has a better overview of the needs of our own people and the quantities with which we can help the Ukrainian people -- the state is both coordinating the donations of medicines to Ukraine in cooperation with wholesalers and is ensuring medical care for the war refugees arriving here.
• Take expired medicines or medicines that you do not use to a pharmacy or a waste station where they are accepted for free.
• You can find the expiration date of the medicine from the packaging. For instance, 02.2022 means that the medicine is suitable for use until the last day of February this year.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiration date has passed or give it to someone else to use. Even more importantly, you can't sell any medicines that are not being used in your home anymore. In addition to this being dangerous, it is also illegal.
• Read the information on the packaging and the information sheet carefully, so that you would know how the medicine is supposed to be stored. Correct storing is necessary to preserve the effect of the medicine and to make sure that the medicine would not become hazardous due to decomposition products.

You can always also find the important information related to medicines of the web page of the State Agency of Medicines: ravimiamet.ee/korduma-kippuvad-kusimused (in Estonian).

There is no immediate military threat to Estonia, but we have to prepare for pre-empting all possible crises or managing in them.

Speaking honestly about the threats and being aware of them enables us to prepare for the threat situations in the best possible way, and to take the necessary steps, both as a state and as a society, to protect ourselves and those close to us. More specific instructions on how to prepare for different crises can be found at:

• kriis.ee
• olevalmis.ee.

No, there is no immediate military threat to Estonia, our security is guaranteed, and Estonian people can feel themselves safe.

1. Be sceptical about suspicious e-mails that you have received.

It is very easy to falsify an e-mail by displaying the name of an acquaintance or a company/institution you know as the sender of an e-mail, even though the actual sender is someone with a malicious intent. If there are suspicions about the authenticity of the letter, call the sender and confirm what exactly it is. You can also ask by mail but then make sure to re-check the address of the person receiving the letter. By replying to the letter directly, it can get forwarded to a third person and this might not be evident right away. The most important thing is to not open a file or a link that has been attached to an unknown letter in your computer -- that is the way the malware spreads into your computer and onwards to your contacts.

2. Update software regularly and make sure you are using the newest version of the software

Security gaps in computer or smart device software that has not been updated are one of the most common ways of hacking into computers and information systems. That is why it is important to update software as soon as it is offered and not think that I will do it at some later point when I have more time. Unfortunately, the news about discovered security weaknesses spreads among criminals as well, and attacking through them is a common occurrence. Additionally, it is important to only use software originating from an authentic source, e.g. the software manufacturer's own web page. The same principles also apply to smart devices, and the applications there must also be updated at first opportunity, in order to reduce the risk of malware spreading.

3. Use antivirus software.

Antivirus software should be used both in the computer and in the smart device. These days, everyone carries along a lot of personal and important information (e.g. e-mails, photos, documents) in the smart devices in their pockets, and that that is why it is important to protect the mobile device from viruses similarly to computers. Several relevant programmes that fight against malware and viruses are free (e.g. Avira, Avast, AVG, TotavAV, Malwarebytes). Antivirus software should also be updated regularly, just like other programmes and applications.

4. Use a strong password.

You should use unique passwords in different environments (e.g. Gmail, Facebook, an e-store account etc.), so that not all of your accounts become public at once, should user data leak. A good password is long, easy for you to remember and hard for others to guess, and contains capital and small letters, numbers and symbols. A good option is to use a secret phrase instead of a secret word. One option is to use a password manager so that you would not have to remember tens of passwords. It is possible to use these for free (e.g. KeePass, Dashlane, LastPass) and in that way you only need to remember one long password for your password manager. It is important to change your passwords regularly and keep them to yourself.

5. **Do not believe e-mails from unknown senders that are threatening or demand quick action.

Emails are the easiest way to spread malware, phish for data and carry out account fraud. Quite often the mailbox receives a notification of a large inheritance or lottery win, and to receive it you are asked for your personal data. This is a fraud scheme that attempts to find out your data and unfortunately it is highly likely that no money is coming. The so-called sextortion letters have also been sent for years already, with the goal of scaring the recipient of the letter with the claim that they have access to the victim's IT devices and an overview of the web pages that the person has visited. The letter claims that you have visited web pages with adult content and additionally they have gained access to your web camera which has been used to film the recipient in intimate situations. The most sensible approach is to ignore these kinds of letters and just delete them.

6. Do not enter your account information anywhere at the direction of a stranger and do not forward them to a stranger in any other way.

Quite a common phenomenon these days are phishing letters that reach people by e-mail, with the objective of finding out the user name and password of your mail account, your bank information and PIN codes, or other information related to you. On average, the Information System Authority gets notified of 65 phishing pages a month but there are sure to be many more that are not registered as an incident. Make sure that the web address you are at is letter-for-letter what it should be (google.com vs g00gle.com). There are also fraudulent calls where the caller introduces himself as a bank employee or a policeman and then asks for various personal data (name, phone number, home address, user account information, bank card number and the three digit code on the back of it) by phone. A bank would never ask that kind of information from their customers over the phone and would never log into a customer's online bank for them remotely. If you get a call like that, do not share your card information or any other personal data, just end the call immediately.

7. Use multi-factor authentication.

If at all possible, use multi-factor authentication. Both the ID card and Smart-ID are tools for two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is provided for by Google (Gmail), Microsoft (Hotmail), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp) and many other service providers. When using multi-factor authentication, you have to verify your identity in two or more ways (e.g. upon login, the device is asking for both your password and a code received via a text message). If someone gets access to your password (e.g. through phishing, malware or previously leaked passwords), they won't be able to access your mail account without the code in your phone. Generally it is not necessary to enter the code in your phone every time but only when logging in from a new location or with a new device.

8. Create regular backup copies of files both in your computer and in your phone.

Regularly backing up your data is useful both when a device is malfunctioning and when it has been infected with malware. The most secure way is to keep backup copies on an external hard disk or a memory stick that should not be permanently connected to the computer. Should it happen that the computer is infected with malware, ransomware or a virus, the devices connected to it are also in danger. If ransomware tries to encrypt files on the local drive, external data carriers, as well as the network drives, the backup copy must be held separately so that the backup would not be infected when the network drive is encrypted. In addition to this, there are also a number of cloud solutions available for backing up data (Google Drive, Microsoft Onedrive, Amazon Drive, Dropbox, iCloud), making backup copies of your documents automatically through the internet. Back up the files both in your computer and on your phone once a week, for instance.

9. Do not publicize your personal information.

If you use social media, always think before you post something and review the privacy settings of your account. Quite often people have a public Facebook or Instagram account where they post about different life events. For instance, when going on a trip, they announce that they are at the airport at that moment, about to go abroad, sometimes even adding a picture of their plane ticket. They also post pictures during the trip and notifications about their exact location. Information like this can be dangerous when in the wrong hands. It is also not sensible to reveal your home address, bank card data and other such information. If you are not certain that only your good friends will be seeing your posts, it is wiser to leave the information private. For the same reason you should also not accept friend requests of strangers.

Where to find information on the most common cyber attacks?

• News and threat assessments published by the Information System Authority
• Regular summaries of the past month's most important events and the situation in the Estonian space, as well as in the international environment (see also Cyber Security Yearbook (in Estonian))
• The Information System Authority Facebook page (in Estonian) and CERT-EE Twitter account.

It is easiest to protect yourself from danger that you are aware of and that you know how to recognize.

1. Make sure that the backing up solutions for the company's information systems are existing and operational. Backup copies that are separated from the network are of great help both in case data gets erased and if you become subject to a ransomware attack.
2. Make sure that the company has a working crisis plan in case a potential cyber incident takes place. Consider what happens if an e-service (e.g. e-mails, inventory management software) is not working for a while, the home page is down etc, and how to mitigate that effect.
3. Ensure that data protection teams have sufficient resources to be able to quickly patch up known security weaknesses and new security weaknesses that crop up. The software and solutions used at the company have to be updated to the last official version.
4. Remind the necessity of good cyber hygiene practices to your employees:

• strong passwords
• multi-factor authentication (i.e. in addition to the user name and password, a thir or a fouth way of authenticating is used when logging in on a new device, e.g. an SMS with a PIN code is sent to the phone)
• recognizing phishing letters
• not opening suspicious links etc.
• an obligation to notify information security with possible suspicions.

5. Create an overview of the level of cyber security of the company's external IT service providers and agree upon (if it has not been provided contractually) how they are notifying their customers of cyber incidents.
6. Get acquainted with previous cyber incidents at the company: has it been possible to compromise the company's in the past and have the risks been sufficiently mitigated subsequently.

More technical recommendations of the Information System Authority to the chief information security officers can be read from www.ria.ee (in Estonian).

1. Keep some cash in your wallet. If card payments don't work, you can make the necessary purchases in cash.
2. For a longer disruption, keep a week's reserve of cash at home. The needs of every family are different but generally you should have enough cash to cover one week's emergency expenses.
3. If you have several different bank cards in your wallet, try them all. It might happen that the disruption only includes one bank or certain types of cards.
4. Don't leave important payments to the last minute. If it is still impossible for you to make the payment in time, let the receiver of the payment know. The banks have backup plans for cases where payment systems between banks are not working. You should still consider that the launching of backup plans takes times and payments do not travel as quickly as they usually do.

It is worth knowing:

• It requires electricity and working telecommunications in order to withdraw cash with a card

In order to withdraw cash from a bank machine, store or a gas station (of make payments to them), it is necessary to have a bank card. In order for the bank card to work, it is necessary to have electricity and working telecommunications. If the disruption lasts for a long time, the bank machines and stores might also stop working. The Bank of Estonia, along with banks, has established backup plans to be better prepared for disruptions in cash circulation.

• The whole chain has to be operational for payments to be successful

Payment services (card payments and internet bank payments) work if the systems of several participants are operational. It is a kind of a chain: the breaking of one link might mean that it becomes completely impossible to make payments. At another time it might mean that making payments is impossible with the card of only one bank or in one internet bank.

In order for payments to move, the systems of the following participants have to be operational:

• electricity and telecommunications companies;
• the bank sending and the bank receiving the payment;
• the administrators of the payment transfer systems between banks;
• card payment processors (in Estonia those are Nets Estonia and Swedbank);
• international card payment organisations through which international payments are made;
• the trader from whom the goods or services are bought.

The usual reason why it is not possible to make a payment in a store or in a bank is that:

• either software or hardware has broken in the payment systems;
• the development of the system has not been sufficiently well organised -- e.g. human errors slip in or the new solution has not been tested thoroughly enough;
• natural disasters, as a result of which electricity and telecommunications might go down, or buildings and payment equipment might get damaged;
• either a physical or a cyber attack has taken place -- the systems of one or several institutions necessary for payments to travel might be under attack at once.

• If there is a danger that the disruption will be longer -- review the cash reserves you have and consider what you might need money for. Stick to only urgent expenses.
• Coins can also be used to make payments. You can find the sum necessary for smaller purchases from the piggy bank.
• Ask for information from your bank and follow the news. If cash circulation is interrupted, there are backup plans which will be communicated in the media.

Be prepared! For a longer disruption you should have a week's cash reserve ready at home. The needs of every family are different but generally you should have enough cash ready to be able to pay for a week's emergency expenses.

• If the authorities have given an order to shelter and you are indoors, e.g. at your place of work or at home, you should stay in place and find a windowless room or a cellar to shelter in.
• If you are on the city streets at the moment of threat, find the nearest public shelter. Facilities suitable for a shelter are (recommended to be) made out of concrete, underground and without windows -- e.g. an underground parking lot or a tunnel. Public shelters that have been checked by the inspectors of the Rescue Board and deemed suitable have been labelled with the signs of international civil protection (a blue triangle on orange background with the text "AVALIK VARJUMISKOHT"). See locations on the map: in the geoportal of the Land Board, on the web page of the Rescue Board, on the web page olevalmis.ee and in the app "Ole Valmis!".

Good to know! There is no direct military threat to Estonia, but in addition to military threat it might also become necessary to shelter due to emergency weather conditions or in case of a widespread air contamination. A threat notification is sent by a text message EE-ALARM, through the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) and other media channels, as well as the sirens installed in the bigger towns. In case of a threat, stay indoors and remain there until the threat has passed. Follow all the instructions given by the authorities.

If you do not have phone reception or the reception is weak, do this:

• If you are inside a building, go outside -- the reception quality could be better outside.
• Try the networks of other phone operators. For this, remove the SIM card from your mobile phone or restart the phone. Instead of entering the PIN code, call the emergency number.
• If calling does not work, try sending an SMS to the emergency number 112, containing the address to which help should be sent and a description of the kind of aid that is required.
• Know where the nearest police station, rescue centre or ambulance station is located. These authorities have a connection to the Emergency Response Centre, and for this reason those should be the places to turn to for calling for aid in a crisis situation.

Good to know! A longer power outage affects the quality of mobile communication as some of the mobile communication base stations stop operating and only the stations that can be fuelled by a battery or a generator will stay operational. During a power outage, save the battery of your devices and use mobile services (calls, internet) only when it is really necessary.

There is no radiation hazard for Estonian residents, and the radiation level in Estonia and our neighbouring countries has remained stable.

Estonia is located far enough from any nuclear installations (including in Finland and Leningrad oblast) and rapid rise in the level of radiation is not to be expected here. The Ukrainian nuclear installations are so far away from us that even if something serious does happen to them (e.g. an accident at a nuclear power plant), the danger zone will not reach Estonia.

The Environmental Board is continuously monitoring the indicators of ionizing radiation in Estonia and countries near us. The information flows of international radiation safety institutions are also under constantly monitoring. Should the radiation level in Estonia or some nearby country change, the Environmental Board will notify of this.

• It is possible to see the monitoring results yourself at the platform for European exchange of radiation data Eurdep: see the real-time map.
• Detailed information on various Ukrainian nuclear installations and readiness for a radiation accident can be found on the web page keskkonnaamet.ee/kiirgusolukord-ukrainas.

Ukrainian nuclear installations (including Zaporizhzhia, Chernobyl) are so far away from us that even if something serious does take place at them, the danger zone will not reach Estonia and a rapid rise in the level of radiation is not to be expected here.

The Environmental Board is continuously monitoring the information flows of international radiation safety institutions and the radiation situation in Ukraine:

• it is possible to see the monitoring results yourself at the platform for European exchange of radiation data Eurdep: see the real-time map.
• detailed information on various Ukrainian nuclear installations and readiness for a radiation accident can be found on the web page keskkonnaamet.ee/kiirgusolukord-ukrainas.

Should the radiation level in Estonia or some nearby country change, the Environmental Board will notify of this.

There is no reason to consume iodine tablets in Estonia (Finland's recommendations to stock up iodine tablets at home are mainly connected to the fact that there are nuclear power plants in the country). Countries that have nuclear power plants consider it necessary and effective to consume iodine in the radius of up to 30 kilometres from the power plant. The nuclear power plant closest to the Estonian border is about 80 km away.

It is important to know that consuming iodine does not help against radiation as such, only against the radioactive iodine isotope (I-131) specifically. This isotope could be present in a contamination cloud but considering the distance of Estonia from the scene, the concentration is already so low that there is no point in poisoning oneself with what is at hand at home (especially with iodine tincture). The tablets might be necessary only when there has been a nuclear accident and the person is near the accident site. Estonian hospitals have a stock of iodine tablets but taking iodine tablets without the advice of the authorities is not allowed.

More detailed information about iodine prophylaxis can be found at keskkonnaamet.ee/kiirgusolukord-ukrainas (in Estonian).

In Estonia, the radiation monitoring is done by the Environmental Board who notifies the population through the media and other channels if the radiation threat increases. Instructions on what to do if there has been a radiation accident can be found at the olevalmis.ee web page.

There is no reason to consume iodine tablets in Estonia. Countries that have nuclear power plants consider it necessary and effective to consume iodine in the radius of up to 30 kilometres from the power plant. The nuclear power plant closest to the Estonian border is about 80 km away.

It is not allowed to consume iodine tablets without the advice of the authorities. In case of a contamination of radioactive iodine, it is important to consume the potassium iodide tablet at the correct time. If taken too early or too late, the protective effect of it decreases.

Consuming potassium iodide, i.e. iodine tablets just in case may have an adverse effect on health as it may cause issues with the functioning of the thyroid. The potassium contained in the iodine preparations can also cause heart rhythm disorders, muscular weakness etc. Consuming iodine tablets during pregnancy can slow down the functioning of the thyroid of the foetus.

Under no circumstances is it allowed to consume iodine tincture meant for external use, the ingesting of which could cause corrosion of the digestive tract and can be life threatening.

Buying up various seaweed preparations and multivitamins containing iodine is of no use either, as these preparations contain only small amounts of iodine.

Should there be a radiation accident in the nearby region, the Environmental Board will give instructions to the population if necessary, using all media channels for this. The Environmental Board is also following situations related to radiation in the rest of the world and informing the public on their web page and through media. It is possible to see the monitoring results on the platform for exchanging radiation data, Eurdep: remap.jrc.ec.europa.eu/Simple.aspx (real time map).

Should the radiation level rise in Estonia, you have to follow information channels and act according to the instructions of the Environmental Board.

Estonia is located sufficiently far away from any nuclear facilities (even in Finland and the Leningrad oblast) and fast rise in radiation level is not to be expected here. Should a nuclear accident happen closer to us and the contamination cloud travels over Estonia, it might be necessary to shelter indoors for the duration of its passage and close windows, doors and other access points for outside air. Sheltering helps to reduce the radiation received from the contamination cloud and the contamination of clothing with the radioactive substance precipitating from the cloud. Instructions on sheltering and the list of public shelters can be found: www.olevalmis.ee.

The recommendation to shelter will only come from public authorities. If a recommendation like that has not been issued, it is also not necessary to shelter.

Depleted uranium is derived when a component that can be used for producing nuclear fuel is removed from natural uranium. Depleted and natural uranium are similarly chemically poisonous but as the radioactively faster decaying part is separated from natural uranium in the course of nuclear fuel production, depleted uranium is less radioactive than the same quantity of natural uranium.

Uranium has high density, almost twice the density of lead, so depleted uranium can be used in ammunition. A missile of the same measurements containing depleted uranium as almost twice the energy at the same velocity and is thus better at penetrating tank armour. Depleted uranium is used in ammunition for its penetrative capability not for its radioactivity.

Ammunition containing depleted uranium has been used in the Middle Eastern and Balkan wars for more than twenty years. Studies have not been able to prove any health issues caused by uranium in neither the peacekeepers that have stayed at the crisis area after the war nor the local population.

Taking a iodine pill may be necessary only when a nuclear accident has occurred and a person is close to the accident site (approximately up to a few dozen kilometres). If, in the event of a radiation accident, radioactive isotope I-131 of iodine is released into the atmosphere, there is a risk that it may deposit in the thyroid gland and cause damage to the thyroid gland during further radioactive degradation. The deposition of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland and damage to the thyroid gland can be reduced by saturating the body with a stable iodine beforehand. Then, the radioactive iodine has nowhere to stay and it leaves the body. However, the effectiveness of this measure depends on the right timing (1–6 hours before exposure to radioactive iodine) and therefore pills should only be taken according to the instructions of the authorities.

The overall increase or decrease in radiation levels does not yet indicate the state of radioactive iodine contamination, so it is not possible to decide for yourself when to take the pills.

A network of alarm sirens covering the whole country is currently being developed. The sirens will be installed in 22 municipalities at first: Tallinn and the densely populated areas surrounding it, Tartu, Narva, Pärnu, Võru, Paldiski, Sillamäe, Tapa, Jõhvi, Kohtla-Järve, Maardu (including Muuga), Rakvere, Valga, Keila, Viljandi, Jõgeva, Põlva, Rapla, Kärdla, Kuressare, Haapsalu, Paide. The alarm sirens will sound when there is a direct threat to people's lives (e.g. a major accident, military threat etc.). If you hear an alarm siren, shelter indoors at first chance!

The EE-ALARM threat alert message can be sent to the mobile phones of people in the risk area by authorities that resolve emergency situations (e.g. the Rescue Board, the police, the Health Board etc) in case there is an event that endangers life, health or national security (e.g. a bigger fire, mass unrest, dangerous food etc).

The text contains a warning and instructions for the particular threat. If you have received the EE-ALARM alert, follow the instructions in the message.

(+372) 5950 0000 is the phone number version of the Estonian threat alert EE-ALARM which is sent to the SIM cards of other countries if they are in the risk area in Estonia. It is not possible to call the number -- it is used as there is the risk that if the SMS comes from a named sender (EE-ALARM), the foreign mobile operator blocks the message as spam.

The message can be sent to the mobile phones of people in the risk area by authorities that resolve emergency situations (e.g. the Rescue Board, the police, the Health Board etc) in case there is an event that endangers life, health or national security (e.g. a bigger fire, mass unrest, dangerous food etc).

The text contains a warning and instructions of how to act in case of the particular threat. If you have received a threat alert from +372 5950 0000, follow the instructions in the message.

The message is only sent to devices with SIM cards that are in the risk area or at its border. This is largely dependent on the service provider and the telephone mast that the device is connected to. Thus it is possible that there are those among the residents of a house or a street in the risk area that do not get the message.

There is also a very small chance that the mobile operator has taken a new base station into use on the same day and the EE-ALARM system does not have its information yet. If your phone is connected to that station, you will unfortunately not get the messages even if you are in the risk area. The network information in the system is updated once in 24 hours.

The message is only sent to devices with SIM cards that are in the risk area or at its border. This is largely dependent on the service provider and the telephone mast that the device is connected to. Thus it is possible that there are those among the residents of a house or a street in the risk area that do not get the message.

There is also a very small chance that the mobile operator has taken a new base station into use on the same day and the EE-ALARM system does not have its information yet. If your phone is connected to that station, you will unfortunately not get the messages even if you are in the risk area. The network information in the system is updated once in 24 hours.

The EE-ALARM text message is sent only to the devices with SIM cards that are in the risk area or at its border. If you are not in the direct risk area, you will not be sent a message.

The specific area where people get alerted with an EE-ALARM text message is determined by the authority resolving the dangerous event based on the situation.

Once there is no longer a threat to life and health, all those in the risk area will get a new message. An end message is also sent to all those who have been notified of an emergency earlier but who have already left the area, regardless of where they are.

Operative official information is disseminated by the web page kriis.ee, the state helpline 1247 and the television, radio and online channels of the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR). Instructions and information on how to prepare for crises can be found on the web page olevalmis.ee and from the mobile app Ole Valmis! (can be downloaded for free from Google Play and App Store).

There could be several reasons for this:

• a decision was taken that the follow-up message regarding the end of danger would not be sent out at all
• you did not receive the end message for technical or other reasons (e.g. a bad network connection, an overloaded network, the phone had been switched off or on flight more, the phone's memory was full etc.)

The initial threat alert was probably not received because of a bad network connection, an overload of the network, the phone was switched off or on flight mode.

There can be several reasons for this:

• It is possible that at the moment the message was sent out, you were outside the risk area and thus only received the message when you entered the risk area (e.g. travelled through the risk area on your way to work or back with a car). The message is only sent to devices with SIM cards that are in the specific area or at its border.
• SMS delivery is also largely dependent upon your service provider and the telephone mast that the device is connected to. It might have been that at the moment the message was sent out, your phone was connected to a mast that was not in the specific risk area.
• It could have been a technical issue. If you wish, you can send the information to 112@112.ee.

The EE_ALARM text messages are not sent based on the population register or residency information. The message goes out only to devices with SIM cards that are in the specific risk area or at its border. That is, if you were not in the area at the moment of the emergency, you were also not sent the message.

If you wish to get alerts about a certain area in the future, you should download the Ole Valmis! mobile app (free at Google Play and App Store) and choose the counties or towns that interest you. In addition to instructions on how to behave, the app will start giving out risk alerts in the near future.

We are sending out the alert messages in multiple languages so that as many people as possible would get the instructions on how to act in the threat situation (including tourists, seasonal residents and travellers, but also, for instance, children and the elderly who are not yet sufficiently skilled in Estonian). The more persons understand the instructions, the better we can concentrate on resolving the emergency.

The EE-ALARM messages are probably arriving because you moved through a risk area at some point or were at its border. The system is built up so that if you have received an alert message, you will definitely also receive a message that lets you know that the threat has passed, regardless of where you are (i.e. the end message will reach you even if you have already left the area).

Generally, you will receive an EE-ALARM text message because you passed through the risk area or were in the risk area (or at its border). If you received the message further away, there could be several reasons for this:

• it is possible that you passed through the risk area before the emergency and the location of your phone had not yet updated in the mobile operator's network. For instance, your phone was using the 2G/3G network, you did not make any calls or send out any messages in the meanwhile but used transport to move around -- in that case, the last known location of your phone could be two hours old.
• it is still possible that your phone was connected to a base station that was further away, in the risk area. Across a bay, for instance.
• there is a small possibility that there was an error in the network information but in that case several others near you who use the same operator should also get the message. You should definitely notify 112@112.ee of this.

There can be several reasons for this:

• it is possible that several messages with the same substance are actually sent out, due to a human error, for instance, or there are two or more risk areas active in parallel, which could partially overlap (e.g. the direction of the wind changes and an area that was initially considered to be safe needs to be alerted about the toxic smoke).
• the messaging centre of a mobile operator has to get automatic feedback from the phone that the message has been delivered. If it does not get it (e.g. there is a bad network connection, the network is temporarily overloaded etc), the operator attempts to resend the message after some time until it finally gives up or receives feedback that the delivery was successful. This is a usual process for the messaging centre. If you suspect that a technical error has occurred, please send the information to 112@112.ee.

The state ordered a comparison study of the systems where, based on different parameters (the size of the country, population etc), the decision was made in favour of the SMS-based solution, as this enables reaching more people with more certainty.

Every solution has its advantages and drawbacks. An SMS does not require prior setup or activation as practically all phones support this solution. Additionally, we can alert people who have received EE-ALARM with a text message about a change or end of the threat even if they have left the risk area in the meanwhile. It is also possible to send alerts to Estonian numbers that are outside of the country. Several other solutions (e.g. wireless emergency alert) do not allow this and there is also no feedback on how many actually received the message.

At the same time, it is not possible to prompt the phone to automatically vibrate or ring upon receiving the SMS (e.g. when the phone is set on silent mode) and the text messages do not reach all persons within seconds.

If you are staying in Ukraine, make sure to register your stay at reisitargalt.vm.ee/registreeri-reis (in Estonian) or call +372 5301 9999 (24h)

• the airspace of Ukraine is closed, only land transport is operational.

• There is a curfew in effect in many areas of the country. More information by region can be found at visitukraine.today.

• While staying in Ukraine, follow air raid alerts and the instructions of the authorities. During an air raid you have to go to a shelter and definitely avoid moving around outside.

• Consular assistance is offered by the Estonian Embassy in Kyiv.

More information on travelling in Ukraine can be found at reisitargalt.vm.ee/riigid/ukraina/ (in Estonian).

• Emergency situation while travelling abroad: +372 5301 9999 (24h)
• the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +372 637 7440 (Mon to Fri 8.30-17.00), konsul@mfa.ee
• The Reisi Targalt web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: reisitargalt.vm.ee (in Estonian)
• registration of a trip: reisitargalt.vm.ee/registreerimine (in Estonian)
• preparing for a trip (travelling ABC, travel documents, travelling with children etc.): reisitargalt.vm.ee/enne-reisi (in Estonian)
• while on a trip (consular aid in different cases): reisitargalt.vm.ee/reisil-olles (in Estonian)
• the online consul of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: facebook.com/veebikonsul
• Embassy of Estonia: kyiv.mfa.ee

An employer has the possibility to suspend (for instance, the parties agree upon an unpaid vacation), terminate or continue the employment relationship.

Generally, Estonia does not provide consular air (including aid for leaving Ukraine) to foreigners who hold an Estonian residence permit. An exception is made for stateless persons holding an Estonian alien's passport (gray passports) who are given the same aid as Estonian citizens. We recommend that people holding Estonian alien's passports use the first opportunity to register themselves through the Reisi Targalt web page (in Estonian). If a residence permit card has been lost or expired, you should contact the Estonian embassy in Kyiv: kyiv.mfa.ee.

Consular assistance is offered by the Estonian Embassy in Kyiv. In an emergency, contact the phone number +372 5301 9999 (24h/7).

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to not travel to Russia without an urgent reason.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks that Estonian citizens temporarily in Russia return to Estonia if possible, and also to register their stay in Russia on the Reisi targalt web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: reisitargalt.vm.ee (in Estonian).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends not travelling to Israel unless there is a pressing need. We ask those who are in Israel to be observant and follow the instructions of the local authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks those who are in Israel or Lebanon for a short period and have not notified of their stay to make sure to do it on the web page Reisi Targalt reisitargalt.vm.ee/registreeri-reis/ (in Estonian) or to the e-mail address konsul@mfa.ee. We additionally ask that all Estonian citizens that are on the Gaza Strip or all those who are aware of an Estonian citizen in need of assistance on the Gaza Strip notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this if possible.

In an emergency, contact consular assistance by calling +372 5301 9999 (24h/7).

• Israel: due to the attacks the terror organisation Hamas has initiated against Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to currently avoid travelling to Israel unless there is a compelling need.
• Lebanon: we recommend to completely avoid travelling to Lebanon as the situation in the country and the region is tense and the security situation may change suddenly.
• Countries neighbouring Israel: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends following the instructions of the local authorities in thecountries neighbouring Israel, as the security situation in the region may change suddenly and affect travel.

We ask that Estonian citizens who are staying in Israel and Lebanon for a short period and have n ot registered their trip, make sure to register it on the wen page reisitargalt.vm.ee/registreeri-reis (in Estonian) or by writing to konsul@mfa.ee.

In an emergency situation, we ask you to call +372 5301 9999

The Estonian authorities are recommending to currently avoid travelling to Russia, including visiting relatives etc. Estonia could temporarily close some of its border crossing points with short notice due to possible migration pressure. If a particular border crossing point is closed, it is not possible to return to Estonia through it.

We ask that Estonian citizens who are temporarily staying in Russia consider the necessity of their stay in Russia and return to Estonia if possible. We ask that Estonian citizens who are temporarily staying in Russia make sure to register their stay on the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reisitargalt.vm.ee (in Estonian).

In Russia, the Russian Federation considers Estonian-Russian double citizens to be Russian citizens and Estonia’s possibilities to offer consular assistance are limited, including with issues regarding the mobilization.

There have been cases where the Russian border guards check the border crossers’ personal electronic devices and their content, including social media posts, in the course of crossing the border.

NB! It is only possible to receive consular assistance from the Estonian Embassy in Moscow, where you have to show up in person, for instance if you have lost your passport, in order to get a temporary travel document with which to leave the country. More specific travel information regarding Russia can be found on the web page of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Estonian).

Starting from July 10, 2022 it is no longer allowed to import or deliver to Estonia those goods originating in Russia or exported by Russia the sale of which brings significant income to Russia and allows it to continue its armed aggression and conquering war in Ukraine. It is important to note here that these restrictions and sanctions also apply to regular travellers.

The full list with the commodity codes and names of the goods can be found at the web page of the Tax and Customs Board. Among other things, it is not allowed to import to Estonia or deliver, for instance:

• alcohol with the alcoholic strength of less than 80% vol (including vodka, gin, liqueurs, wine, beer and soft alcoholic drinks)
• furniture,
• wood and articles of wood,
• fertilizer,
• other goods (including caviar, caviar substitutes, pneumatic tyres)

Currently there are also restrictions in place for exporting goods from Estonia to Russia.

If there are questions and problems regarding the supply chains and export partners due to the war in Ukraine and the related sanctions, it is possible to turn to the helpline of the Enterprise Estonia and Kredex joint body, 627 9432 (Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00) or to describe your problems in the online portal: https://eas.ee/form/infoliin/ (in Estonian).

The joint body is calling upon all Estonian companies directly or indirectly affected by the war in Ukraine to notify of their problems, in order to plan the state support going forward.

The Estonian foreign representations continue to accept visa applications of those Russian and Belarusian citizens who want to come to Estonia to visit family members or for humanitarian reasons, like a severe illness or a funeral of a close relative.

More specifically, the possibility to submit a visa application is exceptionally available for a citizen of the Russian Federation or Belarus:

• whose direct descendant or ascendant (child, grandchild, parent, grandparent), or spouse is an Estonian citizen, a person who has an Estonian residence permit or a right to reside in Estonia;
• who is applying for a visa on humanitarian grounds (the funeral of a close relative, illnesses, including caring for a sick close relative);
• who is applying for a visa for urgent medical reasons (treatment at a medical institution).

In order to visit a family member, it is required to add documentation proving kinship to the visa application (a birth certificate, a marriage certificate etc.).

In order to stop Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, the European Union has enacted several large and effective packages of sanctions. The goal of the sanctions is to create serious consequences for the Russian economy and state-owned companies, isolate the Russian financial system and limit their access to high-end technologies For instance:

• Sanctions have been enacted against hundreds of individuals who have directly or indirectly undermined Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Larger Russian banks have been cut off from the SWIFT system, the assets of several Russian banks have been frozen and their transactions have been restricted.
• Russian planes and the private planes of oligarchs have been banned from entering the European Union airspace.
• The broadcasting of the content of the Kremlin media channels Russia Today and Sputnik has been stopped in the European Union.

The sanctions have already impacted Russia's economic and financial system, but the toughening of the sanctions must be continued, as Russia is not keeping to its promises and is continuing to attack Ukraine.

There are also sanctions enacted against the Russian ally Belarus.

More about the sanctions can be read from the web page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Estonian).

People's lives will not be put in danger. The State Agency of Medicines has not banned bringing medicines from Russia or Belarus. There are no medicines with a marketing authorisation coming to Estonia from those countries but some medicines that do not have a marketing authorisation are brought based on special applications.

The State Agency of Medicines recommends that wholesalers find alternative delivery channels, in order to be sure that the medicines reach people in a timely manner regardless of the military activities in Ukraine.

Bringing medicines across the border for one's own use is allowed on the same conditions as before. A special permit needs to be requested in order to travel with certain medicines (this applies mainly to narcotic and psychotropic medicines but also for quantities). More information: www.ravimiamet.ee/en/human-medicines/manufacture-distribution-pharmacy/travelling-medicinal-products.

Due to the illegal military actions of the Russian Federation and Belarus in Ukraine, guidelines have been developed on the options of restricting the participation of companies from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in public procurements, along with sample conditions. The guidelines cover restricting participation in public procurements based on the bidder's/participant's place of residence or location, to the subjects of international sanctions (including goods), in network sector procurements (based on the provenance of the goods) and in procurements in the defence and security sectors.

The guidelines can be found on the web page of the Ministry of Finance (in Estonian).

In relation to receiving war refugees, we would also like to recall that in 2015 the European Commission has published a communication "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Public Procurement rules in connection with the current asylum crisis". The conditioned referred to in the mentioned communication can be used now as well but it must be kept in mind that the basis must be Directive 2014/24/EL, which is currently in force.

The import of fuels and oils based on Russian oil is prohibited for companies from December 5, 2022. Order no 104 of the Government of the Republic prohibits the purchasing, importing and delivery of oil products from Russia. The order covers all most common customs procedures: free circulation, processing, export and re-export, transit and bunkering.

In the case of international transport (including passenger transport), the purchasing of fuel from Russia and importing it to the European Union is allowed in the standard fuel tank of a motor vehicle and its special container if it is intended to be used in the same motor vehicle. It is prohibited to import fuel in a fuel canister and in fuel tanks that have not been connected to the fuel systems of motor vehicles or special containers.

Private persons are allowed to import oil products (e.g. gasoline) until February 5, 2023.

A traveller may enter the European Union with fuel bought from Russia only if this is necessary in order to conclude the trip. This means that the traveller has the right to import from Russia only the fuel that is in the standard tank of the vehicle and intended to be used in the same vehicle. It is prohibited to bring in fuel that has been bought from Russia in a canister, and the corresponding ban applies uniformly when entering from Russia to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland.

More information: www.emta.ee