The information on this page was collected from public resources.

Where can I go to get emergency health care and how much it costs? Do I need certain documents?

You can get medical advice by calling the consultation number of family doctors: 1220. In case of an emergency, call 112.

Urgent medical aid is ensured to all persons staying in Estonia if they have a severe or life-threatening health issue - even if the person who has arrived does not yet have a direct legal basis for being in Estonia.

Emergency medical and dental care, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and healthcare services related to the protection of public health are guaranteed for Ukrainian war refugees who have been granted temporary protection.

Can I talk to a doctor in Ukrainian/Russian?

The Family Doctor's Advice Line 1220 (+372 634 6630 when calling from a foreign phone number) is offering health advice in English and in Russian. If necessary, the person will be forwarded to the emergency line 112. Some doctors speak Russian, but not all. Most speak English.

Where can I fill my prescription or treat long-term conditions and how much will it cost?

Ukrainian war refugees arriving in the country can have free general health examination, which is carried out at the hospitals of the hospital network. During this health check, patients will undergo a general medical and infectious disease examination, are vaccinated if necessary, and the required prescriptions are issued. Pharmacies will also sell medicinal products, except for narcotic and psychotropic medicines, based on physical prescriptions issued in Ukraine. The pharmacist must be able to understand unambiguously what kind of a medicinal product has been prescribed to the person.You can seek advice on minor health problems and buy medicines, medical equipment, and other pharmacy goods in a pharmacy. A valid prescription is required for buying prescription drugs. You can use a Ukrainian paper prescription or an Estonian paper or digital prescription. Prescription drugs are not dispensed without a valid prescription.

In the case of a digital prescription, you must know the identification code created for the refugee or the Estonian personal identification code, on the basis of which the pharmacist can dispense the prescribed medicine to the person.

Prescription medicines are dispensed to war refugees at the Tรตnismรคgi Heart Pharmacy (Tรตnismรคgi 5), which is open 24 hours a day. Ukrainian passport or other identity document is required for issuing medicines.

No personal identification or personal identification number is required for purchasing over-the-counter medicines and other pharmacy goods. If you have a health insurance, the state will partially reimburse the price of prescription medicines, but you have to pay for over-the-counter medicines yourself.

You can buy medicines only from legal pharmacies. The closest pharmacy can be found on the map: apteegid.ravimiamet.ee mceclip0.png

The Estonian Health Insurance Fund partially compensates prescription medicines if a person has health insurance coverage. Ukrainian war refugees who have received a residence permit and an Estonian personal identification code are not automatically covered by health insurance in Estonia, but they can apply to it on the same basis as Estonian residents, once they have their residence permit: for instance, a person working with an employment contract of more than one month is entitled to health insurance, or a person who has registered as unemployed at the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Children, pregnant women, pensioners, students, people who care for disabled persons, people with partial or full loss of capacity for work etc are also equated to those covered by health insurance, in accordance with the rules of the Health Insurance Act.

I am pregnant, where can I get gynecology care?

Pregnant women should go to the Women's Clinic of the East Tallinn Central Hospital (Ravi 18, B-unit, tel. +372 666 1900).

Can I get vaccinated against Covid? Do I need certain documents?

Vaccination is voluntary in Estonia. You can get vaccinated at the Covid vaccination point in the centre of Tallinn, at Vabaduse Square. Specialists are also at hand to answer any questions you may have about vaccination. Vaccination is free of charge and over 75% of adults in Estonia are vaccinated against coronavirus.

All people who live in Estonia and are at least 5 years old, can get vaccinated against COVID-19. You can read more about vaccinating children here mceclip0.png .

There are five different vaccines to choose from:ย 

For age 12+
- two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech (COMIRNATY), recommended interval between doses I and II: 6 weeks.
- two-dose Moderna (SPIKEVAX), recommended dose interval between doses I and II: 4 weeks.

For age 18+
- two-dose Nuvaxovid (NOVAVAX), recommended dose interval between doses I and II: 3 weeks. - single-dose Janssen vaccine

For children aged 5-11
- two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech (COMIRNATY), recommended dose interval I and II: 6 weeks.

If you have had the COVID-19 virus, you can get vaccinated six months after you test positive.

If you have been previously vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneka or Sputnik, you can get your third dose three months after your last shot.

If you have previously been vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine, you may have a third dose two months after your last vaccination.

When you go to your vaccination, please take a document to prove your identity with you (ID card or passport).ย 

Can I benefit from public health care?

Ukrainian war refugees arriving in the country can have a free general health examination, which is carried out at the hospitals of the hospital network. During this health check, patients will undergo a general medical and infectious disease examination, are vaccinated if necessary, and the required prescriptions are issued.

Do I need to register in order to obtain health coverage and if yes how?

Temporary protection beneficiaries are not automatically insured in Estonia. Health insurance can be obtained by taking up a job or registering as unemployed after receiving temporary protection. Children and pensioners living in Estonia also become entitled to health insurance after they have been granted temporary protection. More information here mceclip0.png .

Health insurance guarantees that people can receive planned general and specialised medical care on equal terms with citizens of Estonia.

Please note that health insurance is mandatory in all EU countries.

What does public healthcare cover?

Temporary protection beneficiaries are not automatically insured in Estonia. Health insurance can be obtained by taking up a job or registering as unemployed after receiving temporary protection. Children and pensioners living in Estonia also become entitled to health insurance after they have been granted temporary protection. More information here mceclip0.png .

Health insurance guarantees that people can receive planned general and specialised medical care on equal terms with citizens of Estonia.

Ukrainian war refugees who get a temporary residence permit are equal to Estonian people, i.e. they have the same rights to get health insurance, health care services or subsidised medicines etc.

Still, getting a residence permit and an Estonian personal identification code do not automatically give Ukrainian war refugees health insurance. After receiving a residence permit, they can apply for health insurance on the same basis as Estonian people: www.haigekassa.ee mceclip0.png.

For instance, a person who works with an employment contract lasting more than one month or an unemployed person registered at the Unemployment Insurance Fund gets the right to health insurance coverage. Children, pregnant women, pensioners, students etc are equated to an insured person according to the rules prescribed in the Health Insurance Act.

Where can I go to get mental health support and how much it costs? Do I need certain documents?

Psychosocial crisis support in today's context is the supporting of people and families who have fled the war, in order to reduce the impact of the traumatic event on their coping. Helping means noticing basic needs, providing practical help and information, and providing emotional support. If help and support for people is timely and available, it will help prevent and alleviate later suffering and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The victim's support crisis helpline 116 006 (+372 614 7393) is offering 24/7 (free of charge) primary support and psychological first aid in Estonian, Russian and English. It is also possible to talk online at palunabi.ee mceclip0.png in Estonian, English and Russian.

War refugees can also get psychosocial crisis support at the border crossing points and distribution centre, provided that the relevant support workers are present. Assistance means offering emotional support, noticing the primary needs, giving practical help and information (e.g. in the matters of employment, medical care and education), ensuring that the basic needs (shelter, water, food, rest) are met. In addition to the crisis support hotline 116 006, there are also:

The national children's helpline, 24/7 and free of charge, in Estonian, Russian and English: phone 116 111 (+372 600 4434) lasteabi.ee mceclip0.png .

A free helpline: for Estonian call 126 (Mon-Sun 17-3); for Russian call 127 (Mon-Sun 19-23), usaldus.ee mceclip0.png (in Estonian).

The advice line of school psychologists: in Estonian call 1226 (Mon-Fri 16-20), in Russian call 1227 (Tue 16-20), and in Ukrainian call 1227 (Wednesdays 16-20) All people working with children and youths, students, parents are welcome to call these numbers. The calls are answered by a qualified school psychologist.

Lifeline: in Estonian call +372 655 8088 (Mon-Sun 19-7), in Russian call +372 655 5688 (Mon-Sun 19-7), eluliin.ee mceclip0.png .

The National Psychological Association of Ukraine, with the support of the UN, the EU launched a free support line. Anyone affected by the hostilities can call the line. All the psychologists have undergone special training, provide counseling according to international standards and adhere to ethical standards.

Call +372 8000 044 624, which is available daily from 10:00 to 20:00. All calls are free of charge.

The hotline administrator will accept your request, determine a convenient format and time, and direct you to a free psychologist. You will be offered audio or video sessions lasting up to 50 minutes.