Cover photograph and edit by Eleni Alexandri
Disclaimer: No Merey was harmed in the making of the cover photo!
Get insurance, they said… Be responsible, they said…
Many will agree that it’s a bit of a no-brainer, and no one is immune to gnarly accidents. But somehow, we tend to negligently avoid taking care of this matter, either because we feel too young and invincible to care about annual checkups and health insurance contracts or because deep down, we dread to acknowledge that we may fall victims to unfortunate incidents.
I was thinking like that back in May 2021. I don’t know if I was just being lazy to go through all the details online and wisely select the best insurance package or merely scared to address the issue and take on the responsibilities that come with adulthood. But back then, I had not renewed my insurance and somehow still happened to carelessly cruise around Tartu on my skateboard.
Was I good at skateboarding? Nope, not a bit. But there I was, saying nay to my inner naysayer and going for a ride one beautiful, surprisingly sunny morning, feeling like Nathan Apodaca, minus the Ocean Spray cran-raspberry juice and Fleetwood Mac. Everything was going great, and there was no sign of misfortune until I managed to trip and fall, while heroically trying to avoid crashing into a mother with a stroller in front of me. True story! (shoutout to the paragon of awesomeness – Barney Stinson).
Long story short, I injured my elbow and had to go to the Emergency Medicine Department at the University of Tartu Hospital (click to learn more about emergency reception in Tartu for when you need unavoidable medical aid or call the ambulance on 112). Luckily, since it took place in Estonia, I did not have to sell my soul to the corporate world for the rest of eternity to get properly checked and treated, even though I had neither a family doctor nor insurance. Kudos to Estonia! You keep winning over my heart more and more.
On that note, allow me to reiterate that you seriously have to prioritize your health and obtain internationally valid private health insurance before half your arm turns purple. Here’s an Exhibit A to help change your mind and push you a little bit:
Don’t be dangerously misled by the ridiculous smile that hides my pain.
Since we already established the need for insurance, let’s cut to the chase and get to the basics of health insurance in Estonia.
One thing you should know is that generally international students are not legally entitled to Estonian national health insurance unless they are officially working on the basis of an employment contract or fall under one of the many group categories neatly listed here. In that case, you would have been able to tap into medical benefits provided by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF, also known as Eesti Haigekassa).
This, however, does not apply to the majority of international students, so let’s get on with our insurance-seeking endeavor.
What you should know as an EU/EAA citizen:
If you are covered by the social security system of your home country, you must first obtain the EU health insurance card (EHIC) from the social service authorities before arriving in Estonia. EHIC grants you the right to receive medical treatment in case of emergency or unexpected illness in Estonia under the same conditions and at the exact cost as insured locals.
Keep in mind that:
- EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, nor does it cover any private healthcare costs
- EHIC does not guarantee free services due to differences in healthcare systems
- EHIC does not cover your costs if you are traveling with the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment
Takeaway: It is advisable to get additional private health insurance to meet your needs (scroll down to discover possible options).
What you should know as a non-EU/EEA citizen:
If you’re coming from the outside EU or EEA, the only way to safeguard yourself and comply with the requirements of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board is to obtain medical insurance, guaranteeing that any costs related to medical treatment due to illness or injury will be met during the whole validity period of a temporary residence permit (TRP).
The same goes for prospective and freshly admitted students preparing to apply for a long-stay (D) visa, who also need international travel medical insurance. On a side note, you don’t have to opt for an Estonian insurance company. Find copious details on the application process and documents to be submitted for visa and residence here.
And most importantly, don’t worry if you’re feeling lost and having difficulty choosing an insurance provider with suitable coverage. There is no right or wrong option, and any of the following companies should be able to satisfy your expectations:
It may also be worth visiting KindlustusEst to compare the prices of different insurance providers on their website and sign the contract online. Just make sure to check with the Estonian Police and Border Guard if your preferred insurance package is acceptable for a D-type visa or TRP application. At the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you to decide which insurance company and policy to pick, and this blog post is merely a starting point for your search.
By the way, for more information on family physicians, read the following blog post by our former student ambassador Emma: “Doctors in Tartu: options and where to find them”. It is extremely useful if you struggle to find one.
And that’s a wrap, everybody. This is pretty much all you need to know about health insurance in Estonia. Good job! Now, don’t delay getting one any longer. And thank yourself afterward! Stay healthy and take care!❤️🩹
