Written by
John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, focusing on clear, neutral information to help people find health coverage abroad.
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary: Health Insurance in Estonia
- Digital Nomad Visa (one of the world's first) requires health insurance—€3,504/month income minimum.
- e-Residency does NOT provide healthcare or residency—it's for business only.
- Haigekassa (Estonian Health Insurance Fund) covers employed residents; DN visa holders need private insurance.
- Tallinn has excellent private clinics (Confido, Medicum, Quattromed); Helsinki is 2 hours by ferry for complex care.
- Most digitally advanced healthcare—e-prescriptions, online records, digital ID authentication everywhere.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance in Estonia?
Estonia's Digital Nomad Visa requires comprehensive health insurance valid for your entire stay. e-Residency (Estonia's famous digital business program) does NOT include healthcare or physical residency rights—it's purely for running an Estonian company remotely. Haigekassa (public health insurance) is available to employed residents and those paying social tax; DN visa holders don't qualify and must maintain private insurance. EU citizens can use EHIC temporarily but need Haigekassa enrollment or private coverage for long-term stays.
Insurance is required for:
- Digital nomads—mandatory for DN Visa application and entire stay
- e-Residents without physical residence—e-Residency provides no healthcare; need home country or international coverage
- Non-EU expats on work permits—can access Haigekassa through employment; private insurance for the gap period
- EU citizens without employment—Haigekassa requires social tax; unemployed EU citizens need private coverage
- Those wanting guaranteed English—private clinics have better English than public hospitals
Public vs Private Healthcare in Estonia
Public Healthcare
Haigekassa (Estonian Health Insurance Fund)
- Access: Employed residents, self-employed paying social tax, EU citizens with EHIC (temporary)
- Cost: Funded through social tax (33% of gross, paid by employer); no direct premiums for covered persons
Estonia's public healthcare is digitally advanced—all records electronic, e-prescriptions universal, online booking. Main hospitals in Tallinn: North Estonia Medical Centre (Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaigla—largest, handles complex cases), East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn Children's Hospital. Tartu University Hospital is the main academic center. Quality is good for the Baltics; wait times moderate (2-6 weeks for specialists). English is common among younger doctors in Tallinn. Digital systems mean your records follow you seamlessly.
Private Healthcare
International or Local Private
- Access: Open to anyone
- Cost: €60-120/month (local plans); €100-220/month (international)
Private sector is well-developed: Confido (largest private, multiple clinics, comprehensive), Medicum (diagnostics focus), Quattromed (labs), Fertilitas (fertility), Elite Kliinik. Private care offers same-day appointments, modern facilities, guaranteed English. Estonian private insurance (ERGO, Salva, Compensa) costs €40-70/month for good coverage. Helsinki is 2 hours by ferry—some expats use Finland for complex procedures. International insurance valuable for Finland access and global coverage.
Plan Options to Compare
Here are the most popular insurance options for expats in Estonia. Each has trade-offs depending on your situation.
Cigna Global
Best for: DN Visa holders and e-Residents visiting—comprehensive coverage with Finland access
Not ideal for: Employed expats with Haigekassa—public system is quite good
Allianz Care
Best for: Tech workers wanting Helsinki backup and EU-wide coverage
Not ideal for: Short-term visitors—Estonia's private clinics are excellent without premium insurance
BUPA Global
Best for: Mental health coverage (dark winters) and chronic conditions without Haigekassa access
Not ideal for: Healthy DN visa holders—Confido/Medicum clinics are affordable out-of-pocket
IMG Global
Best for: e-Residents visiting Estonia occasionally; basic DN Visa compliance
Not ideal for: Those wanting guaranteed Helsinki evacuation for complex cases
Comparison Table: Top Expat Health Plans for Estonia
Compare the leading options side by side. Click "Details" to learn more about each provider.
| Provider | Best For | Coverage Style | Includes U.S.? | Notable Limits | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | DN Visa holders and | International comprehensive | Higher cost than local options | Details → | |
| Allianz Care | Tech workers wanting Helsinki | International comprehensive | Deductibles apply to savings | Details → | |
| BUPA Global | Mental health coverage (dark | International premium | Premium pricing | Details → | |
| IMG Global | e-Residents visiting Estonia occasionally; | International standard | 12-month pre-existing exclusion | Details → |
Common Watch-outs for Estonia
Keep these points in mind when choosing coverage:
- e-Residency misconception: Estonia's e-Residency program lets you run an Estonian company remotely—it does NOT provide residency, healthcare, or the right to live in Estonia. Many people confuse this. If you're e-Resident only, you need insurance from wherever you physically live.
- Digital Nomad Visa details: 1-year validity (Type C for short stay, Type D for long stay up to 1 year). Requirements: remote work for non-Estonian employer, €3,504/month income (4,520 for Type C), health insurance, no Estonian tax residency. Renewable once for another year. Apply through PPA (Police and Border Guard Board).
- Social tax for Haigekassa: To access public healthcare, someone must pay social tax (33% of gross salary) on your behalf. Employed workers are covered. Self-employed pay it themselves (minimum base applies). DN visa holders don't pay Estonian social tax—hence no Haigekassa access.
- Helsinki backup: Tallinn's healthcare is good but not comprehensive for rare conditions. Helsinki (2-hour ferry, 30-minute flight) has world-class facilities. If you have complex conditions, ensure your insurance covers Finland or has good evacuation terms.
- Winter darkness: Estonia has extreme daylight variation—6 hours of light in December, 19 hours in June. If you have seasonal affective disorder, plan accordingly. This affects many expats' mental health; consider coverage that includes mental health services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between e-Residency and Digital Nomad Visa?
e-Residency: Digital identity for running an Estonian company remotely. Does NOT provide residency, healthcare, or right to live in Estonia. You can be e-Resident while living anywhere. Cost: €100-120. Digital Nomad Visa: Actual visa to live in Estonia for up to 1 year. Requires health insurance, income proof (€3,504/month), remote work. Provides physical residency rights but not Haigekassa access (you're not paying social tax). Many people combine both—e-Residency for business, DN Visa for living—but they're separate things.
How do I get Haigekassa coverage as an expat?
Haigekassa requires social tax payment. Options: 1) Get employed by Estonian company—employer pays social tax, you're covered from day one. 2) Register as self-employed (FIE) and pay social tax yourself (minimum ~€180/month in 2025). 3) Voluntary coverage is possible but expensive (~€200/month) and has conditions. Digital Nomad Visa holders can't easily access Haigekassa—the visa specifically exempts you from Estonian tax residency, which means no social tax, which means no Haigekassa. DN visa = private insurance required.
Is Estonia's healthcare really that digital?
Yes—Estonia leads globally. All medical records are electronic and centralized (accessible via patient portal digilugu.ee). Prescriptions are 100% digital—doctor prescribes, any pharmacy dispenses using your ID. Online booking for most clinics. Digital signatures for consent forms. COVID accelerated telemedicine adoption. The benefit: no paper records to lose, any doctor can see your history, no prescription paper to carry. Works seamlessly with Estonian ID card or mobile ID. Expats can access their records online once registered.
How does Tallinn compare to Helsinki for healthcare?
Tallinn: Good private clinics (Confido, Medicum), adequate public hospitals, significantly cheaper (GP €40-60 vs Helsinki €100-150), English widely spoken in private sector. Handles routine care and most serious conditions competently. Helsinki: World-class facilities (HUS university hospital), cutting-edge treatments, extremely expensive, but accessible via 2-hour ferry or 30-minute flight. Strategy: Use Tallinn for routine care and most issues; reserve Helsinki for complex procedures, rare conditions, or second opinions. Many expats' insurance covers both.
Can I stay more than 1 year on the Digital Nomad Visa?
The DN Visa is renewable once—maximum 2 years total. After that, options: 1) Switch to employment-based residence (requires Estonian employer), 2) Start registered business in Estonia and get startup/business residence, 3) Leave and return after the required absence period, 4) If EU citizen, simply register as EU resident (different process, more rights). Estonia is stricter than some countries about DN visa extensions—they genuinely want you to either integrate (employment, business) or move on. Plan your 2-year period as a trial for potential permanent relocation.
Related: Comparisons and Next Steps
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Healthcare policies, insurance requirements, and visa rules change. We are not insurance brokers, immigration consultants, or licensed advisors. Verify all information with official sources and insurance providers before making decisions.