International health insurance is an attractive option for anyone planning to move to Estonia, whether alone or with their family. The insurance offers faster access to healthcare, comprehensive coverage, and multilingual assistance for those who do not speak Estonian.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Estonian healthcare system and health insurance for expatriates in Estonia.
What you need to know about the Estonian healthcare system
The Estonian healthcare system is based on a unified compulsory health insurance scheme. All residents, both citizens and expatriates, must contribute 13% of their salary.
Medical services are provided by public and private providers throughout Estonia, as healthcare services are largely decentralized.
The care covered, either fully or partially, by the Health Insurance Fund (Eesti Tervisekassa) mainly includes:
- General care
- Specialized care
- Certain preventive care
- Emergency treatment
- Dental care for children and certain types of care for adults
- Reimbursement for certain medications
- Pregnancy-related services
A mandatory primary care physician
In Estonia, all insured persons must have a designated primary care physician or family doctor. You can choose your own doctor or request that one be assigned to you.
They are responsible for providing general medical care and referring you to specialists if necessary.
A digital healthcare system
For several years, Estonia has invested heavily in the digitization of its healthcare system.
The aim is to simplify access to services for patients and improve organization for healthcare providers. If you are affiliated with public health insurance, you can benefit from two online services in particular:
- Terviseportaal : a health portal with a personal space where you can view your medical data and access various digital services.
- Digiregistratuur : a service that makes it easy to book your medical appointments online.
The main health coverage options available in Estonia for expatriates
Assurance publique : expatriates with a residence permit can benefit from the Estonian national health insurance system. The contribution is paid by the employer and calculated on the gross salary.
Assurance privée complémentaire : although not compulsory, supplementary private insurance can be advantageous in order to enhance public coverage. In particular, it allows you to:
- Reduce sometimes long waiting times
- Benefit from more comprehensive coverage
- Choose the healthcare facility at which to receive treatment
International health insurance : Expatriates often opt for private international health insurance tailored to their lifestyle. It offers coverage that is valid in Estonia and in their country of origin and provides multilingual services to facilitate access to care and information.
Global Health: the benchmark health insurance for expatriates
Our international private health insurance is tailored specifically with expatriates in mind. For more than 10 years, we have been offering a range of plans that can be customized to suit your needs.
Here are the main benefits included:
- International coverage
- Access to quality healthcare with reduced waiting times
- Emergency repatriation coverage
- Online second medical opinion
- Multilingual assistance
- Additional wellness services (mental coaching, fitness program, etc.)
How much does health insurance cost for an expatriate in Estonia?
For private health insurance, expect to pay an average of €1,500 per year for a single person and around €4,500 per year for a family of four.
The budget you need to set aside for your health insurance in Estonia, as elsewhere, depends on several factors:
- The type of coverage you choose
- The level of coverage
- The duration of your contract
- Your profile (age, family situation, health, etc.)
Under the Estonian public health insurance system, you do not pay any direct charges, as the contribution is deducted from your salary by your employer.
Don’t hesitate to compare offers to find the one that offers the best value for money. If you have any questions, contact our experts!
Our health advice for expats in Estonia
Choose an English-speaking family doctor: you can ask your friends and family, other expats, your colleagues, or hospitals directly for recommendations.
Keep useful contacts handy:
- Emergency number in Estonia: 112
- Medical assistance for children: 1599
- Public health insurance contact :https://tervisekassa.ee/en/kontaktpunkt/national-contact-point
- Estonian Health Board (website in English) :https://www.terviseamet.ee/en
Prepare for your move abroad in advance : take the time to analyze the different options before you leave to avoid making hasty decisions!
Consider the EHIC for a short period : for a temporary stay, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
FAQ: we answer questions from our members
or you can pick a topic below that matches your questions.
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Is healthcare free in Estonia?
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Should you keep health coverage from your home country?
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I have heard about expatriate insurance covering the first euro. What does that mean?
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