As far as European capital cities go,
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, isn't that popular. It's not as fashionable as Paris, as cinematic as Rome, as busy as London, or even as opulent as Madrid. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that this city is exceptionally beautiful, filled with such fascinating history and heritage, and is becoming more and more important in the business world as a digital hub. So it's also not surprising that the number of people relocating here is increasing. if you're one of them, let this guide help you out!
Where is Tallinn, Estonia?
Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is located on the northwestern edge of the country. Estonia itself is located in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
What to Do in Tallinn, Estonia
Even in just a day, there's already a lot you can
do in Tallinn. Among the most popular is to hang out in the Old Town District, Valinn. Step back in time and revel in the Medieval magic of the Estonian capital here. Speaking of Medieval structures, you can also check out the Tallinn Town Wall and walk along its sturdy barriers. But if you're more into art, check out Telliskivi Creative City and immerse yourself in the city's art scene.
Overview of Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia. It's also the country's largest city, with a current population of around 454,000 residents. Since it's on the northwestern edge of this Northern European country, the city gets all four seasons. Its hottest month is July with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F). Conversely, Tallinn's coldest month is February with an average temperature of -5°C (23°F).
Why is Tallinn Famous?
Tallinn is famous simply because it's the capital city of Estonia. It's the largest in the country and a major business hub too. Moreover, Tallinn's Old Town district is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The neighborhood is recognized for its well-preserved buildings, from castles to churches and beyond.
Where is Tallinn, Estonia Located?
As already mentioned, Tallinn is located on the northwestern edge of Estonia. The country itself is located in Northern Europe, right by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland.
Is Tallinn, Estonia Worth Visiting?
Of course, it is! For a capital city, which is a contemporary bustling metropolis, Tallinn is beloved for its preservation of Medieval buildings. Many parts of the city will make you feel like you traveled back in time!
Is Tallinn, Estonia Safe?
Tallinn is among the safest capital cities in Europe. Without getting to specifics just yet, the city's crime rates are low and its safety rates are high.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visa in Tallinn
You probably already know that you need a
Schengen Visa gain entry to Estonia and the rest of the EU. Especially if you're coming from a non-EU country. Now, if you're coming from a fellow Schengen Area territory, you don't need a visa at all. You don't even need that much paper to move to Tallinn too. All you have to do is register your place of residence after staying there for 90 days (approximately three months) and get an ID card.
Is a Visa Required for Estonia?
Only if you're coming from a non-EU/Schengen Area country. As already mentioned, EU/Schengen Area residents don't need to apply for a visa to get to Estonia. However, anyone planning to move to Tallinn (or anywhere else in the country) is required to apply for an ID card after 90 days (approximately three months).
Do You Need a Visa to Go to Estonia?
For those coming from outside of the EU/Schengen Area, yes, they need a visa to enter Estonia. Certain countries, however, are eligible for the
ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. As its name suggests, it's a way for people outside of the EU/Schengen Area to get to Estonia without having to apply for a visa. Counties eligible for this program include the US, the UAE, Israel, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and more.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around Tallinn
Although Tallinn isn't exactly as big of a metropolis as the popular capital cities, it's still large enough for people to rely on
public transport. What's interesting is that since Estonia is one of the most digitally adept countries in the world, paying for your tickets, fees, and the like online is more commonplace than you think. As for which mode of public transportation to take, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. The buses are affordable, the trams are just as efficient, and there's always the train for those staying in the Greater Tallinn Area in Harju County.
How to Get Around Tallinn
Apart from the usual modes of public transportation, you can also get around Tallinn by using
transportation apps. Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt, and Lyft operate in the Estonian capital. They've even become just as popular as the trams, trains, and taxis in the city. Though it's the most expensive option, relying on a transportation app for your commute in Tallinn guarantees a safer and more secure trip to your destination.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live in Tallinn
One of the first things you need to do when moving to Tallinn is to find a new home. It's better if you choose the right
neighborhood in Tallinn too, especially if it's one of the central districts. They include Kadriorg, Kassisaba, Uus Maailm, Kalamaja, Telliskivi, Pirita, and Kakumäe, among many others. You must choose the one that better fits your lifestyle. For instance, if you're more into living in the thick of it all and you're a major history buff to boot, living in the Old Town district won't be half bad. On the other hand, if you prefer to live by the sea and enjoy salty breezes every morning, settle down in Pirita instead.
Best Places to Live in Tallinn
As already mentioned, the best neighborhood for you to live in depends on your current situation, lifestyle, etc. So to say that a certain group of neighborhoods are the best in Tallinn is slightly unfair. With that said, there's a consensus that the central districts of Kadriorg, Pirita, Uus Maailm, Telliskivi, and Kakumäe are the most popular for both locals and tourists alike.
Where to Stay in Tallinn on a Budget
Mustamäe and Lasnamäe are known to be among the most affordable neighborhoods in Tallinn. They're also largely residential, making them great places for families to live a relatively peaceful life in the Estonian capital.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Living Costs in Tallinn
Choosing where you want to stay here based on how you want to live is all well and good, but if you can't afford the rent, then what's the point? Fortunately, the
living costs in Tallinn aren't that high. This place is probably one of the very few European capitals where you can get a place that costs less than €1,000.00 a month. Specifically, a one-bedroom commonly rents out for €400.00 to €800.00 a month. While a three-bedroom will cost a monthly rental fee of around €600.00 to €2,000.00. Not bad at all!
Cost of Living Tallinn, Estonia
You already know how much it costs to rent a
luxury apartment in Tallinn, but what exactly is the cost of living in Tallinn? Well, it again depends on your current situation. If you are a single adult living on your own in the city, you're bound to spend around €834.30 per month on top of rent. If you're raising a family of four, on the other hand, your average cost of living in Tallinn will be about €2,830.00 on top of rent.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment in Tallinn
As already mentioned, since Estonia is practically the digital hub of Europe—and some might argue, of the rest of the world too!—it's safe to say that its job market isn't doing that bad! Currently, it has an unemployment rate of just 6.7%, one of the lowest in Europe alone. At the same time, the country is enjoying a 69.20% high employment rate. It just goes to show that
Estonia's job market and economy continue to be strong and stable.
Jobs in Tallinn, Estonia
Looking for a job in Estonia? Specifically in Tallinn? Then you'd do well to look for employment in the fields of Information Technology (IT), the food industry, and healthcare. These are all the biggest industries in Estonia and likely have the most opportunities for new employment in the capital city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education in Tallinn
Tallinn may be far from London when it comes to
top universities and schools but that doesn't mean it lacks any fine institution that provides high-quality education. The Estonian capital didn't become the prominent digital hub that it is today without any prestigious schools to offer. The country consistently ranks high on any list of countries with the best education. So if you're moving to Tallinn with your family, know that your children have ample opportunity to continue their studies here.
Tallinn Schools
The Estonian capital has its fair share of
prominent international schools where your kids can continue their education once you've relocated here. There's the International School of Tallinn, which offers an International Baccalaureate curriculum, and the Tallinn European School, which offers a European Baccalaureate program instead. It's clear to see that the quality of education here, even for foreign students, remains as high as ever.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare in Estonia
What about healthcare? Can you ensure that no matter what happens to you or what your health problems may be, you'll get proper care and treatment here in Tallinn? The answer is yes, of course! The city doesn't lack well-respected hospitals, each offering quality care & excellent service. And since
Estonia's healthcare operates on a universal system, as long as you've become a legal resident here, you can gain access to public health coverage or choose to go with your own private plan instead. In a nutshell, as long as you're covered, you've got nothing to worry about!
Hospitals in Tallinn
Don't forget to take note of
notable hospitals in Tallinn too! The East Tallinn Central Hospital is prominent for its oncology department. The West Tallinn Central Hospital, on the other hand, boasts clean facilities and state-of-the-art medical equipment. For your little ones, you can take them to Tallinn Children's Hospital. The place has what is arguably the best pediatrics department in the whole city. And for expecting mothers, Keskhaigla Sünnitusmaja has the finest OB-GYN professionals and maternity wards.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tallinn Safety
This guide has previously mentioned that
crime rates in Tallinn are notably low. Just how low are they? Currently, the city's general crime rate is 20.97%. It's among the lowest in all the European capitals, some of which have general crime rates that go beyond double that of Tallinn's. At the same time, the Estonian capital's rate of increasing crimes is 36.14%, which is also low. This further proves just how safe it is here in Tallinn.
Is Tallinn, Estonia Safe?
If Tallinn's low crime rates weren't enough to convince you of how safe the city truly is, perhaps its safety rate will. The Estonian capital currently enjoys a safety rate of 89.74% during the day and 70.35% at night. This almost allows you to out and about freely, but it's always better to be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you just moved to Tallinn and you're not all that familiar with the city yet.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Taxes in Tallinn
Relocating to Tallinn means you'll become a taxpayer as well. Do you already understand
Estonia’s tax system? Do you know how much you need to pay in taxes? Do you know which ones you're required to pay? Even before you set foot in the country, you ought to, at the very least, understand the gist of how they do taxes here. For example, unlike in other European countries where your income tax rate increases as you earn higher salaries, the tax rate here remains the same. This is one of many unique ways Estonia imposes taxes on its citizens and residents.
Estonia's Tax Rates
For your income tax, you only have to pay the flat rate of 20%, regardless of how much you earn. There's also the social security tax with a flat rate of 30%. And, of course, the VAT with a flat rate of 20%.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips for Tallinn
Before ending this relocation guide, here are a few tips you need to take note of:
1. If you can, open a
local Estonian bank account before going to Tallinn.
2 . Join a
local Estonian mobile network and get a SIM card for your phone.
3. Enroll in a
language school in Tallinn to learn Estonian.
4. Learn
Estonia's social customs and always follow them when you're out in public.
5. Memorize your daily routes, including what modes of public transportation you'll need to take.
6. Make friends with the locals and build a strong network.
7. Don't live near the touristy parts of Tallinn.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Moving to Tallinn will be no easy feat, but it also won't be impossible. Let this relocation guide show you the basics of what you need to know. You'll eventually realize that the process itself is simple, but that there's a lot to do along the way!
