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Climate
The climate in Tallinn is characterized by a fairly cold
winter, a cool spring with little precipitation, a moderately warm
summer and a long and rainy autumn. However, some summers have weeks at
a stretch of temperatures around +30°C, and a warm, sunny summer can
keep autumn at bay until mid-October.
Average temperature in July +16,7°C
Average temperature in February -4°C
Weather forecast in the Internet:
www.weather.ee/tallinn
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Time
Estonia is in the Eastern European Time Zone: GMT + 2
hours.
In summer: GMT + 3 hours.
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Population
The population of Tallinn is 403 547 (01.09.2008).
Nationalities: Estonian 52.3%, Russian 38.5%, Ukrainian 3.9%, other
5,3%.
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Language
Estonian's official language is Estonian. Russian,
Finnish, English and German are also understood and widely spoken.
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Religion
The largest denomination is Lutheran (30%) followed by
Russian Orthodox (28%), and Catholic (3%). However, only about 20% of
Estonians practice any religion.
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Visa Regulations
As of 21 December 2007, Estonia is a part of the Schengen
visa area.
Nationals of EU and EEA member states are free to enter Estonia. The
required travel document for entry is a national ID card or passport.
Nationals of the following countries do not need visa to enter Estonia,
and can stay for up to 90 days in any 6-month period: Andorra,
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel,
Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama,
Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.
The required travel document for entry is a valid passport.
Citizens of countries NOT mentioned above require a
visa to enter Estonia.
Visitors arriving in Estonia with visa must have national passports
valid at least 3 months after their planned departure from Estonia.
Children aged 7 to 15 years must have their own passport when travelling
to Estonia or, if they are registered in their parent's passport, must
have their photo next to the name. Children under 7 years need not have
a photo if they are registered in their parents' passports. Persons
above 15 years must have a separate travel document with photo.
For more specific information, please contact the nearest Estonian
consulate or embassy, or check the
Estonian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs' website.
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Customs
A Customs Guide for travellers to Estonia can be found at
www.customs.ee.
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Tax Free Shopping
Travellers residing outside the European Union are
entitled to claim back the VAT/GST on purchases, if exported from the
European Union within three months plus months of purchase. Total sales
price of the goods purchased must exceed 2500 EEK (incl. VAT) in a store
per day. Stores offering Tax Free Shopping service are displaying
well-known Tax Free logo. A store will provide special Refund Cheque,
which must be presented together with a passport and purchased goods to
customs official for export verification when leaving the European
Union. Purhcased goods must be exported in an unused condition. Check
refund options from
www.globalrefund.com
For further information please contact Global Refund
info@globalrefund.com or +372
669 0545, the local customs office or a customs officer on duty. Customs
helpdesk: +372 696 7435, +372 696 7436.
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Currency &
Exchange
National currency: Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents
Fixed exchange rate: 1 EUR= 15.65 EEK.
Exchange rates
Most larger hotels, stores and restaurants accept Visa, MasterCard,
Eurocard, Diner’s Club and American Express. However, it is advisable to
carry some Estonian kroons with you.
Traveller’s checks can be exchanged in most banks but are less likely to
be accepted in shops. Eurocheque is the most widely accepted traveller’s
check, but American Express and Thomas Cook are also accepted.
Banks are plentiful and easy to find in Tallinn. Most are open from 9:00
to 18:00 on weekdays, while some offices are also open on Saturday
mornings. All banks offer currency exchange services. Exchange offices
can also be found in larger hotels, the airport, harbour, railroad
station and major shopping centres.
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Communications
To call Tallinn from abroad, dial your
international access code and 372 for Estonia and then the telephone
number.
Within Estonia, you can make local and international calls from
card-operated public payphones. Telephone cards costing 50 and 100 EEK
are sold at newsstands and post offices. Calling abroad, dial 00
and the country code.
The GSM mobile phone system is available; please check compatibility
with your operator.
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Internet
Public Internet access points have been set up all over
Estonia. They are located in local libraries and post offices. There are
over 100 free
wireless
Internet zones around the country, many of them in rather unexpected
places - beaches, Old Town squares, stadiums, and concert halls.
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Post Offices
Tallinn Central Post Office is located in the
centre, at Narva maantee 1, and is open Mon-Fri 7.30-20.00, Sat
9.00-18.00, Sun 9.00-15.00. Ph. +372 661 6616,
info@post.ee,
www.post.ee.
Toompea Post Office is located in the Old Town, at Lossi plats 4,
and is open Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00.
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Medical Services
For entry into Estonia no vaccinations or health
certificates are required. Health insurance policy is optional.
Pharmacies are usually open from 10:00-19:00, but one stays open all
night (Tõnismäe Apteek, Tõnismägi 5, ph: +372 644 2282). Ordinary
medication is available in all pharmacies.
In case of accident or illness, call for an ambulance free-of-charge
from any phone: 112.
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Police
Free-of-charge call from any phone: 110.
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Power Supply
The current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz, European-style
2-pin plugs are in use.
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