Estonia (EE)

Estonia is a small but extraordinarily forward-thinking Baltic nation and EU/NATO member, celebrated worldwide as the most digitally advanced country on earth.

Capital: Tallinn

Region: Europe

Language: Estonian

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)

Emergency: 112

Bringing Pets to Estonia

Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.

Microchip

Required

Health certificate

Required

Import permit

Not required

Quarantine

Not required

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccination (marutaudi vaktsineerimine) — mandatory for dogs and cats entering Estonia from most countries. Must be administered after microchipping. Dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis (DHPPi combination vaccine) recommended. Cats: Cat flu, Feline enteritis (FVRCP) recommended.

Restricted Breeds

The following dog breeds require special conditions in Estonia (Loomakaitse seadus): American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, and their crossbreeds. These must be kept on a leash and muzzled in public. Check current Estonian Animal Protection Board (Põllumajandus- ja Toiduamet) rules as the list may be updated.

💰 Costs

EU Pet Passport: €30–60 from your vet. Microchipping: €30–60. Rabies vaccination: €20–40. Health certificate for non-EU entry: €50–100 from vet. If importing from outside the EU: possible customs clearance and veterinary inspection fee on arrival. Pet relocation service (if needed): €200–800 depending on origin.

🐕 Dog Tax / Registration

Dog tax (koeramaks) is levied by municipalities. In Tallinn: €15/year per dog. Dogs must be registered with the city — done at Tallinn City Government. Microchip registration should also be entered in the national animal register (register.ee). Unneutered male dogs may have higher fees in some municipalities.

Register with a local veterinary clinic (loomaarst) as soon as you arrive. Transfer your pet's medical records (vaccination history, treatment history). Estonian vets (loomaarstid) are well-trained and reasonably priced. Emergency vet services are available in Tallinn 24/7 at Eesti Loomaarstid and Kadrioru Loomaklinik.

📋 Relocation Process

1. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard — 15-digit). 2. Administer rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel if first-time vaccination). 3. Obtain an EU Pet Passport from your vet (for EU origins) or official health certificate (for non-EU origins). 4. For travel from outside the EU: obtain an Export Health Certificate from your home country's official vet authority. 5. On arrival, pets may be inspected at the border by the Agriculture and Food Board (Põllumajandus- ja Toiduamet, PTA). 6. Register with a local vet in Estonia and update vaccination records. 7. No quarantine required for properly documented pets from EU and approved non-EU countries.

Estonia is a rabies-free country (since 2010 in domestic animals, maintained by strict vaccination programmes). Maintaining your pet's rabies vaccination is very important — unvaccinated pets may be seized at the border. Cat and dog registration in the national animal register (register.ee) is required and links to your personal code. Estonia has excellent forests and nature — dogs are welcome on many hiking trails. Ticks (puugid) are common in Estonian forests from April–October — use tick preventatives and check for ticks after walks. Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis exist in Estonia.