Visa and Residence

On this page you can find general visa and residence information for students planning to come to Estonia for studies.

There are several possibilities to enter Estonia for the purpose of studying at the University of Tartu (UT). The options usually depend on student's country of origin and the level and duration of studies to be pursued at UT. 

 

Non-EU Citizens

All students without EU/EEA or Swiss citizenship and not holding visa of another EU member state, need a visa or temporary residence permit (TRP) in order to study in Estonia. For entering Estonia, students need to apply for a long-stay (D) visa for studies in an Estonian embassy abroad in person and once they are in Estonia, TRP application process can be started, if applicable.

Who needs TRP for their studies in Estonia and who can study with the D-type visa, is explained below.

What type of visa I need for my studies in Estonia?
The easiest way to explain the options is to categorize students according to purpose and duration of their studies in Estonia. Please remember, however, that these are generalized categories. Differences may apply to certain programmes, individuals or study levels. Thus, please always follow the exact guidelines given to you by UT staff. The students and staff are advised to choose a multiple entry visa.

Degree-seeking students:
- Study period in Estonia up to one year – D visa, no need for TRP (TRP is not granted).
- Study period longer than one year – entering Estonia with D visa and applying for TRP for studies once you are in Estonia.

Short-term students:
- Study period up to 3 months – D visa or C visa, TRP is not granted.
- Study period up to 12 months – D visa, TRP is not granted.

Students holding TRP or long-term visa for study or research purposes issued by another EU member country
Third country citizens can stay in Estonia with a visa or a residence permit for study or employment for research purposes issued by another European Union (EU) country (note: EU country, not Schengen country). Staying in Estonia for studying is allowed for up to 360 days or until the visa or residence permit issued by the other EU country expires.
Please note that the residence permit/visa issued by another EU member state and to be used in Estonia must have “student”/ “researcher” written on the document in the language of the issuing country.
If the visa or residence permit issued by another EU country expires during one's stay in Estonia and one wishes to continue studying or working in Estonia, one should apply for a visa or residence permit in Estonia at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. One must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a new D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies. Please check the processing time of D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right of stay in Estonia!
Students staying in Estonia with a visa or residence permit issued by another EU country are allowed to work during their studies on the same conditions as students staying in Estonia with a visa or residence permit issued by Estonia. This means, on the condition that working does not interfere with their studies.

Students holding TRP or long-term visa (for example family reasons) issued by another EU member country 
You can enter Estonia with a valid TRP or long-term visa issued by another EU country. A TRP or long-term visa issued by another EU country enables you to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-month period. If your studies in Estonia last longer than 90 days you need to apply for the D-type visa or TRP (degree seeking students) after your arrival to Estonia. D-Visa/TRP can be applied at the Police and Border Guard Board. Information about documentation needed for the D-Visa/TRP application can be found here. One must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a new D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies (degree seeking students). Please check the processing time of D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right of stay in Estonia! 

NB! The students entering Estonia with the residence permit/long-term visa of another EU member state must inform the Study Abroad Centre of their permit/visa by sending an email to: studentvisasupport@ut.ee
 

Citizens of the countries having visa-free entry to Estonia/Schengen area.

In addition to the citizens from EU, EEA  and Schengen area, there are countries, whose citizens have visa-free entry to Estonia. Please see the full list of countries here

Even if you are a citizen of one of the countries in the above list, if you plan to study in Estonia for more than 90 days, the University of Tartu strongly recommends applying for a D-visa at the nearest Estonian embassy and entering Estonia either with a visa or a residence permit. Entering the Schengen zone to study for a period of longer than 90 days is not in accordance with the laws and regulations of visa-free travelling and it may cause problems when you reach the first Schengen area country. NB! The University of Tartu is not liable for any fines or fees that you may incur if you enter the Schengen area without a valid D-visa or residence permit.

The students, who enter Estonia using their visa-free access right, must ensure that the period of stay in Estonia is sufficient to obtain a D (long-stay) visa or TRP for studies. Please check the processing time of D visa/TRP for studies below. Having submitted a D visa or TRP for studies application does not grant the right of stay in Estonia! If TRP processing takes longer than the period of stay granted with visa waiver, one needs to apply for D visa before getting TRP for studies. 

Non-EU national, who stays in the Schengen area beyond 90 days (without a residence permit or D visa) is illegally present, which can result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. You must carefully calculate your days of stay as the overall period of stay in the Schengen area, not just Estonia, must not exceed the overall total of 90 (ninety) days of stay within any 180-days period. 

Please read FAQ about visa-free entry here.

 

 

D-type long term visa
D-type long term visa must be applied following the purpose and duration of stay in Estonia, as explained above.

Degree-seeking students coming to Estonia with a D-visa and staying in Estonia for one academic year or longer, are required to start applying for the residence permit (TRP) immediately after arriving to Estonia, regardless of the fact that they have the D-visa.

For the degree-seeking students with study period of at least one academic year in Estonia, Estonian embassies usually give the D-visa for 6 months, thus there is time to apply for TRP in Estonia.

D-visa may be issued for single or multiple entries into Estonia. If you plan to travel during your study period, you should apply for the visa with multiple entries. D-visa enables to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-months period. Please note that D-visa may be applied for 6 months prior to intended arrival in Estonia, yet there is no need to apply that early - the visa is typically granted within 10-15 working days (though the maximum duration of the process by law is 30 days). You must be present in person at an Estonian embassy  abroad or at the Police and Border Guard Board in Estonia while applying for the D-visa.

Applying in Estonia is applicable for the students who have entered Estonia with C-visa or have used their visa-free access. Application process is the same regardless of the place of application. Students applying for D-visa in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 8.

 

There are a limited number of Estonian embassies that handle D (long-term) visa applications across the world. All students applying for the long term D visa visa need to consider that they must physically visit an Estonian embassy either in their home country or abroad. Those who need to go abroad or travel to a different city, please consider that travelling requires additional time and financial resources and plan accordingly so that your arrival in Estonia is not delayed. Please be aware that neither the University of Tartu nor any of the Estonian embassies can issue a visa invitation for entering the country where the closest Estonian embassy is located. This needs to be taken care of by the student. Thus, before applying or paying any fees to UT, please make sure that you can access an Estonian embassy if it is needed for entering Estonia.

The countries with Estonian embassies that handle D type visa applications include Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Egypt, Georgia, Great Britain (D visa applications are handled by VFS Global visa agencies), India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, USA, and one EU country -  Ireland.

1. valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visa and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;

2. application form - available here.
Follow the instruction given on this website. The same pre-filled D visa application applies when you submit your D visa documentation in Estonia, at the Police and Border Guard Board, not only in Estonian embassy abroad.
In the application form, namely in the host company/organization information section, you are requested to provide the surname, name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the person to be contacted. Please add here: Eda Tursk/Ülikooli 18, 50090, Tartu, Estonia/eda.tursk@ut.ee.
UT general contact info is available here.

3. one photo (size 35x45 mm);

4. insurance policy - international travel medical insurance which guarantees payment of any costs related to  medical treatment due to  illness or injury during the validity of the visa, in case of a multiple entry visa until the end of the first intended period of stay. Students can choose  any insurance company that offers suitable coverage.

KindlustusEst - insurance broker who can help with finding suitable insurance. It is possible to compare the prices of different insurance providers on their website and sign the contract online. No additional fees are charged from students.

Whichever insurance you are using, be prepared to cover your medical costs yourself first. If you have to pay for medical services, keep all the cost documents and apply for refund from your insurance provider according to the provider’s procedures. If the costs are eligible under your insurance policy, the provider will make the refund.

5. document indicating the purpose of journey: new students present their admission letter. The students already enrolled at UT (having active student status), and applying for a D-type visa in Estonia, need to ask for a proof of studies from their dean's office and present it at visa interview;

6. document proving sufficient means of subsistence for your stay in Estonia. Be prepared to present proof of sufficient financial means during your visa covered stay in Estonia (e.g. original bank statement showing movements in the last months, duly stamped and signed by the bank etc). You do not have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the entire study period, but rather provide evidence that you or your parents have earned legal regular income within the last six months and you can cover your living expenses in Estonia during visa period. You need to prove sufficient funding for the visa period, approximately 800 euros per month.

NB! Even if you are going to receive a stipend or a salary from the UT, you still need to be prepared to prove sufficient funding for the visa period (approximately 800 euros per month) when submitting your visa documentation. For more info on sufficient financial means, please consult the relevant embassy. 

7. document evidencing the place of stay in Estonia. If you apply for a UT dormitory and have not yet received housing confirmation, inform the embassy accordingly. If you do not have housing secured at UT dorms by the time of your visa interview, you need to book short-time housing elsewhere. If you decide to apply for more permanent housing once you are in Estonia,  a hostel/hotel booking confirmation evidencing your place of stay at the beginning of studies must be available for your visa interview.

8. visa fee 100 EUR. Payment instructions are here.

NB! Please pay attention when filling in the application that the duration of your intended stay (counted in days) would cover your whole study period.  Please note that the total period of stay on the basis of a long-term visa must not exceed 548 days within 730 consecutive days. In any case, once you contact the relevant Estonian embassy, please follow their suggestions and requirements regarding paperwork needed for the D visa application.

See also  Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

Short-term (C) visa

The purpose of C-visa is to transit through or stay in the territory of the Schengen States, Estonia being one of Schengen countries, for a duration no more than 90 days within the period of 180 days. To the best of our knowledge, foreign embassies/representations do not issue C-visas for the purpose of studying unless the study period at UT is less than 3 months. 

A C-visa can be applied for in person only at the Estonian representations handling visa applications or at the representation of the EU member state representing Estonia in issuing Schengen visas. Please see here. We highly recommend that all students who are considering applying for a C-visa in a country where Estonia is represented by the embassy of some other EU member state first make sure this is possible. To the best of our knowledge, foreign embassies/representations do not issue C-visas for the purpose of studying unless the study period at UT is less than 3 months. Please be aware that neither the University of Tartu nor any of the Estonian embassies can issue you a visa invitation for entering the country where the closest Estonian embassy is located. This must be handled by the applicant. Students entering Estonia with a C-visa and staying in Estonia for longer than 3 months are required to start applying for either a D-visa or residence permit, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay, immediately after arriving to Estonia.

List of documents to be submitted for C-visa application

1. valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visa and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;

2. application form (provided by the embassy or from the following webpage: Ministry of Foreign Affairs);

3. one photo (size 35x45 mm);

4. an insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with coverage of at least 30 000 EUR for the entire duration of stay;

5. documents indicating the purpose of journey: UT admission letter;

6. any information which supports the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa (admission letter);

7. documents proving the sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence: i.e. your scholarship proof or bank statement. In the case that UT pays you a stipend then a proof of receiving a fixed income, while studying in Estonia, is enclosed in the admission package;

8. a visa fee 60 €

More information here:

If you should have any problems concerning your rights as a C-visa holder, please contact the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Police and Border Guard Board immediately.

Additional information from the web-page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

Temporary residence permit for study (TRP)
TRP is only for degree-seeking students studying full-time (with full-time workload). The students studying or dropping into part-time studies cannot have TRP. The students dropping into part-time studies will have their TRP for studies revoked 30 days from the date of the relevant decision.
TRP is not for exchange/visiting students, nor for external learners. The students who have been granted TRP for studies get a TRP card.
TRP is granted for the entire nominal study period.
TRP application process takes place in Estonia, unless there are some exceptional circumstances forcing to initiate TRP application abroad. However, all student needing TRP must know the TRP requirements prior coming to Estonia to avoid facing problems during application process.

TRP is granted for the entire nominal study period (3 years for bachelor students, 2 years for master's students, etc.).
Please note that it takes 3 months from the date of applying for TRP until receiving a TRP card. Personal presence is required while lodging the TRP application and picking up your TRP card. TRP enables to travel in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a six-month period. 

The students, who have entered Estonia with a visa or used their visa-free access (see above the section on countries which have visa-free entry and for the risks associated with entering without a valid visa) need to apply for the TRP immediately after arriving to Estonia. The application process is the same regardless of the place of application.

Students holding TRP for study can be employed in Estonia without a separate employment permit, provided that the employment will not interfere with their studies. 

The TRP can be applied at the Police and Border Guard Board (Estonia) and at Estonian embassies abroad (to be used only in exceptional cases). 

Once you start with the TRP application process, please fill this form in order to inform us to prepare the invitation letter for PBGB. UT will send the TRP invitation letter directly to PBGB. 
Important! E
veryone applying for the TRP for studies in Estonia must have legal basis for staying in Estonia during their TRP application process. Having submitted TRP application does not grant the right to stay in Estionia! One must  have a visa or some other right of stay in Estonia during application period.

The following  documents must be submitted when applying for the TRP in Estonia or at Estonian representation abroad. Below (at the end of the documents' list) there is some additional information for the UT students extending their TRP. Students processing their TRP documentation in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 4.

1. General application form and data on close relatives

2. A document which certifies your legal income or that of your family members who support you financially. The document must show the amount, regularity and sources of the income during the six months before the submission of the residence permit application. Please note that the legal income per person must be 800 euros per month (corrected 20.07.2023, previously was 400 euros).  
The easiest way to prove legal income is with a bank statement. The students can use either their own or parents' bank statement. The latter should not be used if the parents' do not support you during the studies in Estonia. If you receive or will be receiving a scholarship during your studies in Estonia, the proof of scholarship can be used to prove legal income. If UT pays scholarship, the relevant information on particular scholarship is provided in your admission letter. 
You do not have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the entire study period, but rather provide evidence that you or your parents have earned legal regular income within the last six months
As stated on the PBGB website, by signing the application form, you confirm that you have sufficient legal income and do not need to submit proof of having legal income. Since the PBGB may ask for the relevant proof at their own discretion, we suggest having it ready and submitting it together with the TRP application/TRP extension application.

3. Copy of an insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the TRP applied for will be met. NB! Sign the copy of the insurance contract and the conditions of your insurance (summary of coverage). Insurance can be purchased for a year, yet a student needs to make sure that he/she has continuous health insurance coverage throughout the validity period of the TRP. 
As stated on the PBGB website, by signing the application form (including TRP extension application form) you confirm having required health insurance. Since everyone must have health insurance, we suggest having it ready and submitting together with the TRP application.

Degree-seeking PhD students do not need to purchase medical insurance for their studies in Estonia, as they are covered with the Estonian national health insurance (Haigekassa) soon after they have their employment contract signed.  Still, for travelling to Estonia, please have appropriate insurance coverage. 

4. A document certifying the payment of the state fee

5. An identity document. 

6. A colour photograph sized 40x50 mm (it is possible to take a photo free of charge at the Tartu Migration Bureau while submitting your documents). 

7. Admission's letter provided by UT.

The full list of the documents to be submitted for TRP application is also listed on the Police and Border Guard Board/PBGB website. Please note that one of the documents listed on the PBGB website is titled an invitation by educational institution. This will be provided by UT directly to the PBGB, thus you are not required to ask UT to provide you that document while you are applying for a TRP. There are also guidelines for accurate submission of an TRP application, please see here 

I. The students of bachelor's and master's level need to purchase private insurance  from an insurance company. 

Temporary residence permit (TRP) is issued for the whole nominal period of studies (bachelor level students have it for three years, master level students for two and etc). This means that student needs health insurance coverage for the whole period of studies. However, one can still purchase insurance for a year and extend it on time to guarantee continuous medical coverage. 

Quite often, international students in Estonia choose one of the following insurance companies meeting the requirements of the TRP :

KindlustusEst - insurance broker who can help with finding suitable insurance. It is possible to compare the prices of different insurance (such as AON and Ergo) providers on their website and sign the contract online. No additional fees are charged from students.

Whichever insurance you are using, be prepared to cover your medical costs yourself first. If you have to pay for medical services, keep all the cost documents and apply for refund from your insurance provider according to the provider’s procedures. If the costs are eligible under your insurance policy, the provider will make the refund.

II. The PhD students, admitted as of 2022/2023 have Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa). The PhD students admitted earlier have Haigekassa once they have TRP and are not on academic leave, nor have extended their period of study.

III. Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Once can purchase an insurance contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Please check the conditions here.

  1. After receiving the residence card, all students must register themselves as citizens of Tartu.

    Registration of residence means that the data about a person’s place of residence is entered into the Population Register.
    You can register your address of residence at Tartu Welcome Centre (Ülikooli 17, office hours are Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00, Thu 9:00-18:00) or Tartu City Government’s Population Registry Service (Küüni 5). Please see more information here.

  2. PhD students: your haigekassa account (national health insurance) can be activated only after your residence is registered.

  3. The TRP is issued as a residence card with a chip. The residence card issued for studies in Estonia is not valid as a travel document, but you need to have it along with your passport while travelling outside Estonia. You can use your TRP to digitally sign documents and access a broad range of e-services (banking, bill payment, etc.) using a card reader, which can be purchased at most electronics stores.

International degree students must fulfil their study programme at full capacity when applying for the TRP for the first time (i.e., they must be matriculated for full-time studies) and maintain a full-time workload throughout their studies at UT. 

If an international student fails to fulfil the requirements of full-time studies, the TRP is revoked. The University of Tartu is obligated to inform the Police and Border Guard Board if an international student transfers from full-time to part-time studies within two weeks' time from the day the decision to transfer was taken.

The difference between full-time and part-time studies is described here.

To hold TRP for study, one must be enrolled as a full-time student. That does not mean taking a fixed number of courses each semester, but cumulatively full-time workload must be maintained across an academic year.

Academic leave
If an international student takes an academic leave for reasons that prevent him or her from studying, pursuant to the Universities Act, the university is obligated to inform the Police and Border Guard Board thereof and the TRP is revoked. TRP can be maintained during the academic leave, if a student is actually studying, meaning is registered to the courses for the value of 22,5 ECTS per semester.

NB! After the revocation of TRP, you must return the TRP card to the Police and Border Guard Board!

After the end of the academic leave, the person may again apply for TRP. If an international student is employed during an academic leave, he or she must apply for a residence permit for employment in a timely manner in order to continue working.

UT rules on academic leave are described here: http://www.ut.ee/en/studies/study-regulations/academic-leave.

Working during studies

International students who have the TRP for study may work in Estonia without a separate permit, as long as their work does not interfere with their studies. No evidence for working while studying needs to be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board. If an employed international student takes an academic leave, he or she must apply for a residence permit for employment.

Extension of TRP of studies beyond the nominal study period time is possible only in some very specific study-related circumstances that hinders graduating within the nominal period of study. Study abroad leading to extension of studies or to academic leave is not the reason to get TRP extension. Please note that after the expiry of the TRP, students have a legal basis to stay in Estonia for additional 270 days (9 months) for finishing studies or for any other arrangements. See further info below. The students not able to graduate within the additional 9 months, need to apply for a new D- type visa.

UT needs to send a TRP invitation to the PBGB. So, once you start with the extension process (only in very special circumstances), please fill in a form here. UT will send the TRP invitation directly to PBGB, not to a student. The students extending their TRP need to provide additional explanation why the TRP extension is needed.
The extension of TRP can also be done electronically provided that you use digital signing and follow the technical requirements listed here 
Students processing their TRP documentation in Estonia, please reserve an appointment time at the Police and Border Guard Board, either online or by phone! More information is here. When booking online, please choose option number 4.

1. General application form and data on close relatives

2. A document which certifies your legal income or that of your family members who support you financially. The document must show the amount, regularity and sources of the income during the six months before the submission of the residence permit application. Please note that the legal income per person must be at least 300 euros per month.  Check the PBGB website on legal income to find out which type of income is suitable. 
As stated on the PBGB website, by signing the application form (including the TRP extension application form) you confirm that you have sufficient legal income and do not need to submit proof of having legal income. Since the PBGB may ask for the relevant proof at their own discretion, we suggest having it ready and submitting it together with the TRP application/TRP extension application.

3. Copy of an insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the TRP applied for will be met. 

Degree-seeking PhD students who receive doctoral allowance do not need to purchase medical insurance for their studies in Estonia, as they are covered with the Estonian national health insurance (Haigekassa) during their nominal period of studies (4 years). During the extended study period, meaning beyond the four years, national health insurance is no longer available.

4. A document certifying the payment of the state fee

5. An identity document. Make sure the document is valid for at least 3 months after your intended period of stay.

6. A colour photograph sized 40x50 mm (it is possible to take a photo free of charge at the Tartu Migration Bureau while submitting your documents). 

The full list of the documents to be submitted for TRP application is also listed on the Police and Border Guard Board/PBGB website. There are also guidelines for accurate submission of a TRP application, please see here.

If needed, please discuss with the PBGB whether the extended TRP can be picked up in any other Estonian embassy aboard, if this suits better with your travelling plans. 

Once the TRP for study has expired on regular basis, not revoked by the relevant authorities, students have legal basis for staying in Estonia for the 270 days (270-day extension came into force 23.05.2018) following the expiry date of the period of validity of the TRP. The extension is granted for all the students regardless of their purpose and duration of studies. During the extension students can be employed, thus they have the same rights like TRP holders. Please keep an eye on your TRP validity period, as there is no reminder to inform you on its expiry.

Travelling during the extension period

To be able to travel during the 270-days extension period, you need to apply for a special visa sticker (similar to multiple entry visa) to indicate the existence of the extension period. During the validity of the visa sticker, you can enter in other Schengen member states for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

It is possible to apply for a visa sticker 10 working days before the expiry date of your TRP (but not earlier than 1 month) and also after the expiry of your TRP until the end of the 270-days extension period.

For the application, you must personally go to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) service office.

You need to submit the following documents:

  •  a free-form application containing the applicant's first name(s), surname(s), personal identification number, contact details, date of submission of the application and signature;
  • document photo in digital format;
  • travel document (passport);
  • a document confirming the payment of the state fee (30€). On the spot it is possible to pay the state fee only in cash. Please find more information about the state fee payment here.

It is not mandatory to book an appointment, but in order to avoid a long queue, it is recommended to book an appointment beforehand (select service nr 8). The submitted application is reviewed by the PBGB within three working days.

A foreigner applying for a residence permit for study: settling with a foreigner residing in Estonia on these bases is possible in exceptional cases, on which you may seek more information from a migration adviser. How to contact migration adviser can be found here.

 

 

EU citizens
Citizens of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter EU citizens) have the right to stay in Estonia on the basis of a valid travel document or identity card for the period of up to three months.

For stays of more than three months, you must register the place of residence. To obtain the right of temporary residence, EU citizens must register themselves as citizens of Tartu within three months from the date of entering Estonia. That can be done at the Population Register Office or at Tartu Welcome Centre.

Register the place of residence

For stays of more than three months, you must register the place of residence. To obtain the right of temporary residence, EU citizens must register themselves as citizens of Tartu within three months from the date of entering Estonia. That can be done at the Population Register Office or at Tartu Welcome Centre. Please find more information here.

Once you have registered yourself as a citizen of Tartu, you receive the Estonian ID-code (isikukood). UT adds your ID-code to your profile in SIS, no need to send it to us, we shall get it from the Tartu Welcome Centre. ID-code gives the possibility to register with a family doctor and to use a variety of other e-services. 

 

Applying for an Estonian ID-card

You can apply for an Estonian ID-card from the Police and Border Guard Board (Riia 132) which certifies your right of residence in Estonia. ID-card is not compulsory but allows you to use various e-services.

Applying for an ID card for an adult

 

Health insurance for EU citizens

The students of bachelor's and master's level: If you have valid health insurance in your home country during your studies in Estonia, you can apply for the EU health insurance card (EHIC) or substitute certificate of an EU health insurance card (form E128). You should apply for that from the social service authorities in your home country before arriving in Estonia. EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. The required medical care is not free – the expenses (visit, hospital charges, etc.) must be paid for according to the tariffs set in Estonia. For receiving the compensation, if applicable, an application must be submitted to respective national contact point in the country where the person is insured. More information about what is covered with EHIC in Estonia can be found here ( > Healthcare Abroad > Medical Treatment Abroad > Estonia).To be eligible for an EHIC, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

NB! EU and EEA students studying in Estonia for a degree are not covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, unless they are employed in Estonia or have the right of permanent residence, so they can obtain the EHIC only if they are covered by the social security system of their home country. If you cannot get the EHIC for the reasons described above, please check if any of the private health insurances listed below meets your expectations/needs. You should not be without any health insurance!

Estonian Health Insurance Fund: One can purchase an insurance contract with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Please check the conditions here.

The PhD students have Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa) coverage, unless they have not registered their right of residence in Estonia, are on academic leave or have extended their period of study.

Government introduced restrictions concerning students who are Russian citizens

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Summer Schools

Tudengid

Short-term blended mobility for UT students under Erasmus+ Europe

linn

Open calls and application process