Medical care

There are three levels of medical care in Estonia: family doctor care, specialist care, and nursing care.

If you have health concerns, first contact your family doctor. Your family doctor will give you expert advice, perform the necessary tests, and prescribe treatment. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist or nurse.

If you have a sudden and serious health problem, go to the emergency room or call an ambulance by dialing 112.

A doctor sits, talks to a patient in his office, and takes notes

Where and when to go?

Home treatment and pharmacy

For minor health problems, home treatment is often sufficient.

If you have any questions about over-the-counter medicines and medical devices, feel free to ask your pharmacist. They are medical professionals who can provide expert advice.

For minor illnesses and minor injuries

Runny nose, cough, sore throat
Mild headaches, stomachaches, joint or muscle pain
Allergy symptoms (sneezing, watery eyes)
Skin problems (dryness, rash, minor burns)
Digestive problems (constipation/diarrhea, stomach ache)
Eye irritation, redness, dryness
Minor injuries (scratches, abrasions, bumps)

For minor illnesses and minor injuries

Runny nose, cough, sore throat
Mild headaches, stomachaches, joint or muscle pain
Allergy symptoms (sneezing, watery eyes)
Skin problems (dryness, rash, minor burns)
Digestive problems (constipation/diarrhea, stomach ache)
Eye irritation, redness, dryness
Minor injuries (scratches, abrasions, bumps)

To obtain medical aids and supplies

First aid supplies (bandages, bandages, disinfectants)
Equipment (blood pressure monitors, thermometers, inhalers, etc.)
Rapid tests (flu, COVID-19, pregnancy and ovulation tests)

To obtain medical aids and supplies

First aid supplies (bandages, bandages, disinfectants)
Equipment (blood pressure monitors, thermometers, inhalers, etc.)
Rapid tests (flu, COVID-19, pregnancy and ovulation tests)

The pharmacist can also help you if you need advice

on choosing and safely using medication,
maintaining your daily health,
or removing ticks.

The pharmacist can also help you if you need advice

on choosing and safely using medication,
maintaining your daily health,
or removing ticks.

Family doctor center

If your symptoms do not disappear within a week or worsen, contact your family doctor.

Your family doctor and nurse know your medical history and are your primary advisors in case of health problems that do not require urgent intervention and are not life-threatening.
Your first point of contact at the family doctor center is often the family nurse. They will assess the situation, advise you, and resolve many issues quickly and competently.
If your family doctor decides that you need to be referred to a specialist, they will conduct an e-consultation with the specialist or issue a digital referral letter.

When you log in to the Health Portal, you can find out which digital channel your family doctor uses. You can often use the web to:

describe health concerns,
order a repeat prescription,
start and end a sickness or care sheet,

submit a request for vaccination or a health certificate.

When you log in to the Health Portal, you can find out which digital channel your family doctor uses. You can often use the web to:

describe health concerns,
order a repeat prescription,
start and end a sickness or care sheet,

submit a request for vaccination or a health certificate.

When you log in to the Health Portal, you can find out which digital channel your family doctor uses. You can often use the web to:

describe health concerns,
order a repeat prescription,
start and end a sickness or care sheet,

submit a request for vaccination or a health certificate.

Acute but not life-threatening illness

Prolonged cough, runny nose, fever, allergies
Unexpected rash, abscess, ulcers, herpes
Moderate or prolonged headache, back pain, or joint pain
Minor injuries (concussion, sprain, cut)
Eye infection

Acute but not life-threatening illness

Prolonged cough, runny nose, fever, allergies
Unexpected rash, abscess, ulcers, herpes
Moderate or prolonged headache, back pain, or joint pain
Minor injuries (concussion, sprain, cut)
Eye infection

Monitoring and treatment of long-term illnesses

Diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, etc.
Prescription renewal

Monitoring and treatment of long-term illnesses

Diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, etc.
Prescription renewal

Prevention, procedures, analyses

Scheduled health checkups
Vaccinations (for children and adults)
Laboratory analyses (blood, urine, stool) and other tests
Simple procedures (e.g., removal of stitches, wound dressing)

Prevention, procedures, analyses

Scheduled health checkups
Vaccinations (for children and adults)
Laboratory analyses (blood, urine, stool) and other tests
Simple procedures (e.g., removal of stitches, wound dressing)

Certificates and counseling

Opening and closing sick leave
Health certificates (e.g., for driver's licenses, work)
Lifestyle counseling (nutrition, exercise)

Certificates and counseling

Opening and closing sick leave
Health certificates (e.g., for driver's licenses, work)
Lifestyle counseling (nutrition, exercise)

Mental health concerns

Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders
Behavioral and addiction problems

Mental health concerns

Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders
Behavioral and addiction problems

Family doctor advice line 1220

Call the helpline if you are unsure where to turn with your health concerns or need advice on home treatment.

The family doctor's advice line is your 24-hour helper. Experienced healthcare professionals will help you decide whether your concern requires urgent intervention or can be treated at home.

In Estonian and Russian 24 hours a day
In English every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call price according to your operator's standard rate
Personalized Estonian-language online counseling(Opens in new tab) every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

When calling from abroad, dial +372 634 6630.

The family doctor's advice line is your 24-hour helper. Experienced healthcare professionals will help you decide whether your concern requires urgent intervention or can be treated at home.

In Estonian and Russian 24 hours a day
In English every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call price according to your operator's standard rate
Personalized Estonian-language online counseling(Opens in new tab) every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

When calling from abroad, dial +372 634 6630.

The family doctor's advice line is your 24-hour helper. Experienced healthcare professionals will help you decide whether your concern requires urgent intervention or can be treated at home.

In Estonian and Russian 24 hours a day
In English every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call price according to your operator's standard rate
Personalized Estonian-language online counseling(Opens in new tab) every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

When calling from abroad, dial +372 634 6630.

If your family doctor is unavailable

you have a health concern in the evening, on the weekend, or on a public holiday
you urgently need a prescription renewal
you want to notify someone of the need for a sick note.

If your family doctor is unavailable

you have a health concern in the evening, on the weekend, or on a public holiday
you urgently need a prescription renewal
you want to notify someone of the need for a sick note.

You need professional advice and assessment

where to go with your health concerns,
home treatment for minor health problems (e.g., viral diseases, minor injuries).

You need professional advice and assessment

where to go with your health concerns,
home treatment for minor health problems (e.g., viral diseases, minor injuries).

Emergency room

You should go to the emergency room in case of an unexpected and urgent problem.

Go to the emergency room if you suspect that your condition or that of a loved one is life-threatening or will lead to permanent damage to health.

If the condition is potentially life-threatening

Shortness of breath, lack of air, severe asthma attack
Acute allergic reaction (especially if accompanied by difficulty breathing or swelling)
Poisoning (e.g., swallowing chemicals, drug overdose, carbon monoxide poisoning). For initial advice, call the poison information line at 16662.
Foreign body in the respiratory tract, digestive tract, or elsewhere
Heart rhythm disturbances lasting up to 48 hours or heart rhythm disturbances lasting more than 48 hours accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain
Extreme weakness, lack of energy
Suspected thrombosis (e.g., sudden swelling, redness, and pain in one leg)
Suspected stroke (e.g., paralysis on one side of the face)

If the condition is potentially life-threatening

Shortness of breath, lack of air, severe asthma attack
Acute allergic reaction (especially if accompanied by difficulty breathing or swelling)
Poisoning (e.g., swallowing chemicals, drug overdose, carbon monoxide poisoning). For initial advice, call the poison information line at 16662.
Foreign body in the respiratory tract, digestive tract, or elsewhere
Heart rhythm disturbances lasting up to 48 hours or heart rhythm disturbances lasting more than 48 hours accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain
Extreme weakness, lack of energy
Suspected thrombosis (e.g., sudden swelling, redness, and pain in one leg)
Suspected stroke (e.g., paralysis on one side of the face)

Serious trauma, injuries, and bleeding

Fresh trauma (e.g., suspected bone fracture indicated by severe swelling, deformity, or limited mobility)
Major open wounds, acute burns, or chemical burns
Acute and difficult to stop bleeding
Animal bites

Serious trauma, injuries, and bleeding

Fresh trauma (e.g., suspected bone fracture indicated by severe swelling, deformity, or limited mobility)
Major open wounds, acute burns, or chemical burns
Acute and difficult to stop bleeding
Animal bites

Acute medical conditions and severe pain

Sudden onset of severe pain that does not respond to medication (e.g., severe headache, abdominal pain, or back pain)
High fever (above 38.5 °C) that does not respond to medication
Acute skin inflammation accompanied by pain and fever
Inability to urinate

Acute medical conditions and severe pain

Sudden onset of severe pain that does not respond to medication (e.g., severe headache, abdominal pain, or back pain)
High fever (above 38.5 °C) that does not respond to medication
Acute skin inflammation accompanied by pain and fever
Inability to urinate

Mental health crisis

Acute mental disorders (e.g., acute psychosis, confusion)
Suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Mental health crisis

Acute mental disorders (e.g., acute psychosis, confusion)
Suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Ambulance

Call an ambulance if someone's life is in danger.

Call the emergency number 112 and immediately call an ambulance if someone's life is in danger!

Cessation or threat of cessation of vital functions

Loss of consciousness, severe breathing difficulties or cessation of breathing
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, paleness, very rapid pulse

Cessation or threat of cessation of vital functions

Loss of consciousness, severe breathing difficulties or cessation of breathing
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, paleness, very rapid pulse

Acute heart and circulatory disorders

Heart rhythm disturbances accompanied by loss of consciousness or rapid deterioration of general condition
Severe pain in the chest, head, or abdomen that does not respond to medication
Sudden onset of severe weakness

Acute heart and circulatory disorders

Heart rhythm disturbances accompanied by loss of consciousness or rapid deterioration of general condition
Severe pain in the chest, head, or abdomen that does not respond to medication
Sudden onset of severe weakness

Acute conditions related to the nervous system

Sudden speech disorder or paralysis
Seizure lasting several minutes, with no recovery
Severe and medication-resistant pain in the head, chest, or abdomen

Acute conditions related to the nervous system

Sudden speech disorder or paralysis
Seizure lasting several minutes, with no recovery
Severe and medication-resistant pain in the head, chest, or abdomen

Trauma and injuries

Injury or trauma resulting in immobility
Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
Severe burns or chemical burns

Trauma and injuries

Injury or trauma resulting in immobility
Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
Severe burns or chemical burns

Poisoning and allergies

Acute poisoning accompanied by impaired consciousness or severe weakness, paleness, visual disturbances, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias
Acute allergic reaction accompanied by shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, difficulty swallowing
Foreign body in the respiratory tract, digestive tract or elsewhere

Poisoning and allergies

Acute poisoning accompanied by impaired consciousness or severe weakness, paleness, visual disturbances, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias
Acute allergic reaction accompanied by shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, difficulty swallowing
Foreign body in the respiratory tract, digestive tract or elsewhere

Who pays for medical care?

If you have health insurance from the Health Insurance Fund, the Health Insurance Fund will pay for your family doctor, specialist care, nursing care, and children's dental care. The Health Insurance Fund also partially finances the purchase of medicines and medical devices and pays various benefits in the event of illness.

If you wish, you can log in to the health portal to view your medical bills that the Health Insurance Fund has paid to medical institutions.