Home > How to Apply for ETIAS for Estonia: Key Details
If you’re planning a trip to Estonia and wondering whether you need ETIAS authorization, you’ve come to the right place.
Estonia, tucked into northern Europe, is a diverse country with over 1500 islands, old-growth forests, and historical landmarks like old castles and fortresses.
European travel requirements continue to grow and change, which can make traveling to Estonia confusing for today’s travelers. That’s why we created this guide!
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about ETIAS and how it applies to your upcoming visit to Tallinn, Tartu, or wherever you’re off to in Estonia!
Yes, from 2026 on, you will need ETIAS to visit Estonia if you are from a visa-exempt country.
What does this mean? If you aren’t traveling to Estonia with a visa or don’t have a passport from a Schengen country, you’ll need to apply for ETIAS. This includes citizens from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
For context, some countries have visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen zone (which Estonia is part of). This means that citizens of these countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen area (including Estonia).
However, these citizens do need authorization to travel into the Schengen space – and that’s where ETIAS comes into play (in 2026).
With that being said, if you’re planning a trip to Estonia that exceeds 90 days, or is to work or study, you will need to apply for an Estonian visa instead of ETIAS. ETIAS is only for short trips and doesn’t take the place of a visa.
Now, on the other hand, if you are a citizen of a country that is not visa-exempt, such as China or India, you do not need to apply for ETIAS. Instead, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Estonia.
No. If you hold a valid Estonian visa (or Schengen visa), you do not need to apply for ETIAS. When it comes to Schengen visas and ETIAS, it’s a “one or the other” situation.
Applying for an ETIAS for your trip to Estonia is done entirely online and only takes 10-20 minutes of your time.
According to the EU website, a valid ETIAS does permit you to travel throughout the Schengen area and Cyprus. With that being said, it does not guarantee entry.