Some Interesting Facts About Estonia

Public Holidays

Date 2004        Occasion
January 1           New Year's Day 
February 24      Independence Day
April 9                Good Friday
April 11             Easter  Sunday
May 1                Spring Day
May 30              Whit Sunday (Pentecost)
June 23             Victory Day, Midsummer's Eve  
June 24             St John's Day (Summer solstice)
August 20          Restoration of Independence
December 25      Christmas Day
December 26      2nd Day of Christmas

Holidays on a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) are not moved to the following day.

Weekend: Saturday, Sunday

Customs & Duties

The following may be imported into Estonia without paying duty:

200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of alcohol of over 22% strength or 2 litres of alcohol of less than 22% strength or 2 litres of wine and 10 kg of food. Local and foreign currency may be freely exported and imported but an amount of ekr 80, 000 (or its equivalent) and more must be declared.

Restrictions apply to the import and export of diamonds, plants, antiques, firearms and vegetable products. The import of pornographic material is prohibited.

Electricity

Electricity is of 220 volts or 50 hertz.

Post & Communications

Mail to Western Europe by eesti post takes about 5 days; there is a speed post service available. Private courier services also operate out of Estonia. Poste restante is available at the main post office in Tallinn. There are many Internet kiosks that allow you to access the net at hourly rates. Fax services are available at public telephone booths and at select post offices. Post offices are open from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 9:30 am to 3 pm on Saturdays.

The telephone network in Estonia is extensive and efficient. To make an international call you must dial 8 before dialling 00. Phone cards for use in phone booths can be bought at kiosks or the post office. The international code for Estonia is 372.

Weights and measures

Estonian measurements are in the metric system.

Tipping

Tipping is the norm at restaurants where you mostly round off the bill and leave the waiter a 5-10% with the tab. Be cautious though, you may find waiters upping their tip by not having any change to return to you. You need not taxi drivers.