Estonia - Currency - Shops & restaurants - Telephone & internet - Medical care

 Estonia

Estonian area is 45 000 square km. Estonia is almost same size or a little bit larger than Slovenia, Holland, Denmark or Switzerland. But our population is three times smaller than Denmark’s.Therefore, in Estonia you should find ten times fewer human footprints per average square kilometre of land than in Denmark.

Estonia stretches 350 km from east to west and 240 km from north to south. Estonia's population ranks amongst the smallest in the world. As of January 2000, an estimated 1,4 million people live in Estonia — a density is only 30.2 people per sq. km.

Capital of Estonia is Tallinn. Approximately a third of the nation (398 434 people) live there and about 67% of the population reside in cities in general. Estonia public order is parliamentary republic and president of Estonia is Toomas Hendrik Ilves

  Currency

The national currency of Estonia is called the Kroon. The Kroon is abbreviated as EEK. The smaller unit is called the Sent, 1 kroon = 100 sents.1 EUR = approximately 15.65 EEK. Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged in banks and exchange offices.

Credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard/ Eurocard, Diner's Club, American Express etc. are accepted in most of the major hotels, restaurants and shops. Most banks will give cash advances on credit cards supported by a valid passport. Check with the credit card company for further details before travelling.

The main banks in Estonia, which serve tourists are:

• Swedbank   
  
• SEB
• Sampo bank
• Nordea bank

Banks are open from Monday to Saturday between 9.00 and 18.00. Most banks are closed on Sundays. Currency exchange offices are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00 hours; on Saturdays from 09.00 to 15.00 hours. Some of them are also open on Sundays.

Shops & restaurants

Most shops are open from 9.00 - 19.00 on weekdays, but close earlier at weekends. Supermarkets and larger shopping centres are open seven days a week, from 9.00 - 21.00 (some up to 23.00). Souvenir shops and other tourist venues are generally open seven days a week from 10.00 - 18.00.
In Estonian restaurants, the service charge is included in the bill, although a 10% tip is welcomed and is seen as polite.

Public holidays: banks, offices and shops are closed on the following public holidays:

Telephone & Internet

Calls to Estonia: the country code for Estonia is +372. Dial +372, then the area code and the subscriber's number.
Calls from Estonia: Dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber's number.
Local calls: Payphones accept phone cards. If you wish to make a call within Estonia, first dial the area code and the number. Other option is cell phone card. You can buy it in every shop.

Wireless Internet is very widespread in Estonia. Wireless internet are  in hotels, pubs, libraries, petrol stations, urban parks  and elsewhere, many of which can be used free of charge.
Electricity
The electricity supply in Estonia is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

Medical care

Emergency numbers are the same from all phones, including mobiles, anywhere in Estonia.

Mainly no vaccinations or health certificates are required upon entering Estonia, though health insurance is advisable. Only tick vaccine is quite necessary for fishermen. Regular medicaments are available in pharmacies in every town. However, for the convenience of the traveller we suggest you bring along your own supply.