Customs and daily life

Daily life

• Reserve and plain speaking. Visit Estonia writes that Estonians like to have their space and are "typically silent", and compares their personality to their cuisine: direct, unfussy, honest. Work in Estonia describes them as more reserved than Italians and not fond of small talk: if you ask how they are, they really tell you. Silence is not awkwardness.
• The sauna. It is an institution: the country had more than 100,000 saunas at the last census, for about 1.3 million inhabitants. The smoke sauna ritual (suitsusaun) is recognised by UNESCO. After the sauna, many plunge into icy water.
• Nature. Hiking, kayaking, skiing, winter swimming: people go out in all weathers. The local saying is that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes.
• Midsummer (jaanipäev, 24 June) is celebrated around big bonfires. The song and dance festival, listed by UNESCO, brings together tens of thousands of singers and dancers and a very large audience (the official pages give different figures).
• Shops. Most shops, banks and restaurants stay open on public holidays; only on 25 December and 1 January do most close (Visit Estonia).
• Tipping. Visit Estonia indicates that 10% is the usual tip for exceptional service.
• Safety. The country is safe, with low crime; beware of pickpockets in towns. Tap water is drinkable everywhere. Pedestrians are required by law to wear a reflector (helkur) in darkness and in poor visibility; failing that, the Transpordiamet accepts another source of light (torch, phone).

Languages

• Estonian (eesti keel): the only official language, the language of school, administration and most jobs. A B1 level is needed for a long-term residence permit (for non-Europeans).
• English: widely spoken; Work in Estonia estimates that the basics of Estonian are often enough for everyday life.
• Russian: language of many Russian-speaking inhabitants. Estonians make up about 68.7% of the population.
• Learning: the Settle in Estonia programme (free, run by the State) offers newcomers who have a right or permit of residence adaptation training and Estonian courses A1 (about 3 months, 100 hours), A2 (about 5 months, 150 hours) and B1 (about 7 months, 250 hours), online or in person in Tallinn, Tartu and Narva. A2 requires having done A1, and B1 requires A1 and A2. On 23/10/2026, the programme's website indicated that no language group was open for registration: the next ones are announced on the programme's website and social media. The International House of Estonia organises free language cafés, from level A2.

Public holidays 2026

Twelve public holidays on which people do not work (Public Holidays Act, § 1 and 2):

• 1 January (Thursday): New Year (uusaasta).
• 24 February (Tuesday): Independence Day (iseseisvuspäev), national day.
• 3 April (Friday): Good Friday (suur reede).
• 5 April (Sunday): Easter (ülestõusmispühade 1. püha). Easter Monday is not a public holiday.
• 1 May (Friday): Spring Day (kevadpüha).
• 24 May (Sunday): Pentecost (nelipühade 1. püha).
• 23 June (Tuesday): Victory Day (võidupüha).
• 24 June (Wednesday): Midsummer (jaanipäev).
• 20 August (Thursday): Day of Restoration of Independence (taasiseseisvumispäev).
• 24, 25 and 26 December (Thursday, Friday, Saturday): Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day.

The working day before New Year, 24 February, 23 June and 24 December is shortened by three hours by the employer: in 2026, 23 February, 22 June, 23 December and 31 December.

Emergencies

• 112: ambulance, fire brigade and police.
• 1247: State information line, to give or receive information.

At work

• Be precise. Work in Estonia advises asking precise questions and giving precise answers: vagueness goes nowhere. Modesty is appreciated; putting yourself forward can come across as boasting.
• Written contract: most contracts are indefinite-term, generally with a probation period of 4 months and a monthly salary.
• Leave: 28 calendar days of paid leave a year (35 for a minor), not counting public holidays. Holidays are mostly taken in June and July, and many do not read their emails during that time.

Winter

Winter runs roughly from late November to early March. Visit Estonia gives an average of -1 °C to -10 °C, with spells of -5 °C to -15 °C, the coast being a little milder than the interior. It rarely drops below -20 °C, but the wind makes the cold more biting. Days shorten sharply from autumn, whereas in June they never seem to end (the "white nights").

Common pitfalls

• Taking reserve for hostility. Calm is part of the culture: let time do its work, and make the most of opportunities for sharing (sauna, nature outings) and of expat communities, the largest in Tallinn and Tartu (Work in Estonia).
• Underestimating winter. Warm clothes and a reflector at night: the latter is compulsory for pedestrians.
• Staying in the English-speaking bubble. English is enough at first, but Estonian matters for employment, children's schooling and long-term procedures.
• Forgetting digital life. Almost everything is done online with your digital identity: activate it quickly (see EE-ADMINISTRATIONS-TOUS-001).
• Thinking that summer lasts. The warm season is short: this is when everything happens, parties, festivals and holidays.

What changes by country of origin

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: they can take the Settle in Estonia programme as soon as they have a right of residence proven by their Estonian identity card.
• British citizens (Scotland included): same access once they have their residence permit (valid residence permit card).
• French speakers: there is a European school in Tallinn that teaches in English and French (see EE-ECOLE-TOUS-001).