Estonia Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance in Estonia for Expats

Expats moving to Estonia will not qualify right away for public healthcare, so international health insurance is recommended. Estonia’s centralized healthcare system offers public health insurance only to permanent residents and citizens through the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. 

Are you an expat preparing for a move to Estonia or a traveler visiting the Baltic area? Whether you plan to visit or move to Estonia, getting the right health insurance policy can help cover medical costs while you’re there. 

Read on to learn more about Estonia’s healthcare system, find out why international insurance provides the optimal experience for expats, compare our top health insurance plans for Estonia, and more. 

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Estonia

The Healthcare System in Estonia

Estonia’s healthcare features a compulsory insurance system with universal access to medical services for permanent residents and citizens. These healthcare services are primarily made available through private health providers. 

Together with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, the Ministry of Social Affairs oversees the administration of the system with numerous agencies, public independent bodies, private health care units, hospitals, NGOs, and professional associations all coordinating beneath them. 

Local governments play only a minor, voluntary role in medical services. Estonia’s integrated system has received international commendation for its ability to act efficiently on healthcare reform, but considerable challenges to accessibility and quality of care persist.

Estonia’s healthcare infrastructure relies on countrywide primary care, which is centered on family medicine from well-trained physicians and nurses. These family practitioners are usually the first point of contact and refer individuals for further specialist treatment when required. 

Specialized care is often provided in outpatient settings, and care involving advanced technology has been increasingly centralized in major hospitals. 

Estonia’s quality of medical service is generally good, especially in Tallinn, and in other major cities such as Tartu and Pärnu. The country has highly trained medical professionals, but some hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources, especially in rural areas. 

You may find that some hospital staff and nurses, including those who work in emergency rooms, speak only limited English.

Estonia’s Public Hospitals 

Some of the best public hospitals in Estonia include Tartu University Hospital, East Tallinn Central Hospital, and the North Estonia Medical Center Foundation. Read more about them below. 

Tartu University Hospital is Estonia’s only academic hospital and the largest healthcare provider in the country, providing quality tertiary care in almost all specialties. 

• Address: Ludvig Puusepa 8, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
• Phone number: +372 731 8111

East Tallinn Central Hospital features seven clinics comprised of diagnostic, internal medicine, eye, women’s, surgery, medical rehabilitation, and nursing care clinics. It is one of the largest hospitals in Tallinn with 579 beds.

• Address: Ravi tn 18, 10138 Tallinn, Estonia 
• Phone number: +372 666 1900

North Estonia Medical Center Foundation serves mainly the Tallinn area but also extends its care to Harju County and other regions of central, western, and eastern Estonia. It is made of seven clinics and thirty-two specialist centers.

• Address: J. Sütiste tee 19, 13419 Tallinn, Estonia
• Phone number: +372 617 1300 

Estonia’s Private Hospitals 

Some of the best private hospitals in Estonia include Fertilitas Erahaigla and Medicum. Read more about them below. 

Fertilitas Erahaigla Viimsis is Estonia’s largest private hospital, with several different clinics and modern medical diagnostic technology. They offer care across a variety of specialties, from gynecology to urology, from general surgery to plastic surgery. 

• Address: Ravi tee 4, Haabneeme, 74001 Harju maakond, Estonia
• Phone number: +372 605 9600

Medicum seeks to make medical treatment seamless between family care, specialized care, and beyond. They have five clinic locations across Tallinn and Harju County.

Health Insurance Options in Estonia for Expats

Some expats will qualify for public insurance, such as those with a European Health Insurance Card or those who are employed in the country, but most expats (even those who do already qualify for public insurance) choose international health insurance for its added convenience.

Public Insurance in Estonia

The Estonian healthcare system is primarily publically funded through taxes. This earmarked payroll tax is then pooled by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF), which acts as the sole purchaser of medical care. 

The EHIF operates through four regional branches and is responsible for collecting funds, contracting service providers, and providing reimbursement for health services, pharmaceuticals, and other temporary benefit programs. 

Public health insurance is compulsory, but contributions are proportional to salary. Non-contributing dependents, like children and the elderly, represent almost half of the insured people, and the Ministry of Social Affairs covers emergency care for uninsured persons and ambulance services. 

To receive health insurance from the EHIF, you must have an Estonian ID number and pay taxes. Foreign nationals should receive an ID number together with a residence permit for employment. An Estonia-based employer will forward the information concerning your employment status to the EHIF.

Private Insurance in Estonia

If you are not covered by EHIF or don’t have an existing health insurance policy, you can purchase private health insurance. Many expats choose private health insurance even though they have contributed to the national health scheme due to the language barrier in public medical facilities. 

It’s strongly advised that anyone traveling to Estonia secure comprehensive travel insurance, while those planning on staying longer should secure an expat health insurance plan.

When securing health insurance, make sure that your insurance policy covers emergency evacuations. 

International health insurance plans are typically best for expats as they offer customizable benefits and global coverage. Plans can be tailored to fit expats' needs according to their lifestyle and situation, and expats can choose coverage options based on factors like age and health. 

General coverage in international health insurance plans includes: 

• Inpatient and outpatient services
• Medical emergency and evacuation services

Additional riders and benefits, including dental, vision, and preventative care, can be purchased and added to plans to make the best fit for any expat in Estonia. 

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Estonia

Some of the best private health insurance providers in Estonia for expats include Allianz, AXA, Cigna, MSH International, and Now Health International. Scan through these providers’ plans below or head to Pacific Prime to see a full list of our partners.

Allianz

Allianz offers three coverage options through their Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. By choosing Allianz, you gain access to one of the largest international health insurance providers on the market. All three plans cover the basic benefits of:

Allianz’s Care plan has an annual limit of USD $2,500,000, with the Care Plus plan increasing to USD $4,000,000, and the Care Pro plan up to $5,000,000.

AXA

Choose between AXA’s five plans: their Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. These plans include 24/7 personal support, claims repayment within 48 hours, second medical opinions, and virtual doctor visits. The plans all offer coverage for:

The Prestige and Prestige Plus plans also cover routine pregnancy care and annual health checks.

The annual limit of each plan is:

• Foundation plan: USD $160,000
• Standard plan: USD $1,600,000
• Comprehensive plan: USD $2,400,000
• Prestige plan: USD $3,200,000
• Prestige Plus plan: USD $8,00,000

Cigna

A well-known company, Cigna offers three flexible plans for expats in Estonia to give them access to the country’s private and public hospitals as well as customer support 24/7. With their Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans, expats can customize their coverage for their health needs and budget.

All three levels of coverage offer the following benefits:

Expats who choose one of Cigna’s plans can also choose to include:

• Dental benefits
• Outpatient coverage
• Health and wellbeing coverage
• Evacuation and Crisis Assistance Plus™

Cigna’s Silver plan starts with an annual limit of USD $1,000,000 with the Gold plan bumping up to USD $2,000,000, and the Platinum plan offering the highest coverage with an unlimited annual cap.

MSH International

MSH International offers four different types of coverage through their First’Expat+ plan: Hospi, Health, Health+, and Health+Child. Expats in Estonia can choose additional customization for annual limits and benefits through their Quartz, Pearl, Sapphire, and Diamond options.

Plans with a Quartz selection offer annual limits at USD $625,000, with Pearl selections at USD $1,250,000, Sapphire selections at USD $2,000,000, and Diamond at USD $3,750,000.

NOW Health

NOW Health offers four tiers of coverage through its WorldCare plan and three tiers of coverage through its SimpleCare plan. 

Under the SimpleCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $1,000,000 for the SimpleCare Core tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 100 tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 250 tier

Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $3,000,000 for the Essential tier
• USD $3,500,000 for the Advance tier
• USD $4,000,000 for the Excel tier
• USD $4,500,000 for the Apex tier

Facts to Consider When Picking Health Insurance in Estonia

When choosing a health insurance plan for your time in Estonia, first consider the length of time you will spend in the country to determine whether to opt for a short-term plan or something more substantial.

Next, you must weigh your personal health concerns against your budget to determine which insurer, plan, and coverage level best suits your needs. 

Your Health History

Find a plan that offers the highest-quality coverage for your specific health needs while still fitting your budget. Health history such as age and pre-existing conditions may affect the cost of care, and more healthcare coverage will likely mean a higher cost for your plan.

Plan Exclusions

Different plans offer different exclusions, so ensure that you read the terms and conditions. For example, some plans do not cover medications, pre-existing conditions, or maternity care. 

Your Budget for Health Insurance for Estonia

Your premium, deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum will all contribute toward the costs within your chosen plan. We have described each term below:

• Premiums are the amount you pay each month for health insurance.
• Deductibles are the amount you pay before your insurance covers costs.
• Copays are the amount you pay for medical visits, like doctor’s visits.
• Coinsurance is the coverage percentage you pay once you have met your deductible.
• Out-of-pocket maximum is the total maximum amount you may pay for health care within a term.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Estonia

Travel to Estonia is considered safe, with the U.S. Travel Advisory for Estonia suggesting that travelers only need to exercise typical caution such as the advice below: 

Common Travel Safety Tips for Estonia

Make sure you only carry the necessary items and keep them close to your body to limit your risk of having them stolen. Give particular caution when you are in crowded areas, and stay alert for potential threats.

Travel Insurance for Expats

Expats visiting Estonia on vacation or staying for other short-term travel can use a travel insurance policy to protect them from financial risks and losses like lost luggage, canceled flights, and emergency medical services. 

While travel insurance is not required to enter Estonia, it is strongly recommended for all visitors, but the right travel insurance plan for you will depend on your budget and your planned activities. 

Additionally, travel insurance can offer medical emergency coverage and medical evacuation. 

At Pacific Prime, we partner with some of the world’s top travel insurance companies, like Vumi and IMG Global. Reach out to us or check out our free plan comparison tool to hear more about top travel insurance plans.

How to Use an EHIC in Estonia

Estonia is a member of the European Union, so European citizens are entitled to receive medical treatments in Estonia provided they hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC only covers public healthcare so you should ensure that you’re treated by a state healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Estonia a good place for expats to live?

Expats tend to enjoy their move to Estonia, though they address that learning the language and local customs can be difficult. English is spoken in many parts of the country.

Is healthcare in Estonia reliable?

Though Estonia’s healthcare system falls behind most other EU countries, it is generally considered good and highly accessible. The country has made significant strides to improve its healthcare system, such as drastically increasing its life expectancy.

Does my health insurance cover me when I move to Estonia?

Domestic health insurance from your home country will not usually provide medical coverage in Estonia. Instead, you are encouraged to purchase an international health insurance plan designed to cover your medical expenses abroad. 

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Despite the high-quality standard of healthcare in Estonia, comprehensive insurance is still advised for all other nationals. It is best to check with your country's health department to see if a reciprocal healthcare agreement is in place with Estonia. 

Comprehensive international medical insurance and comprehensive travel insurance are highly recommended, which should include cover for emergency evacuation and medical repatriation in case of an extreme medical circumstance.

Pacific Prime offers a wide range of healthcare plans and travel insurance policies, along with benefit package options including inpatient, outpatient, dental, maternity, and specialist consultations. 

Contact our team of expert advisors today to receive a free quote and enjoy the peace of mind that our health insurance plans offer. Get a free quote today!

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