Information to Ukrainian war refugees
All people in Estonia, including war refugees, have access to unavoidable help in case of serious or life-threatening health problems. When a person under temporary protection receives health insurance cover, he or she will also be entitled to planned primary and specialist medical care under the same conditions as local insured persons.
Read more about the Estonian medical care system for insured persons!
Emergency medical care
In the event of a serious or life-threatening health problem, all people in Estonia, including war refugees or persons in transit here are entitled to emergency medical care.
- Information and advice on health issues is available in English and Russian on the family physician advisory line 1220 (when calling from a foreign number (+372 634 6630). If necessary, the person is referred to the emergency number 112.
- Pharmacies are allowed to accept also paper prescriptions issued in Ukraine, except for narcotic and psychotropic drugs. The pharmacist should have a clear understanding on what kind of medicine has been prescribed for the person.
- Psychological support is available from the crisis support hotline 116 006 (+372 6147 393). In addition, you can also use online chat at www.palunabi.ee. Support is available in Estonian, English and Russian.
General medical care
Ukrainian war refugees receive primary health care on the same basis as Estonian residents. Information on primary health care in Estonia can be found here: www.tervisekassa.ee/en/primary-health-care.
The first point of contact within the health care system for a person with a health concern is their family nurse or family physician. Every Estonian citizen, every person residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or right of residence, and every foreigner who is temporarily insured in Estonia can register with a family physician and change family physicians on the basis of a written application. Contact information of family physicians with vacancies on their lists can be found here.
Registration is based on a written application (in the case of a child, the application of a parent or guardian). A separate application must be filled in and submitted for each family member.
- Fill in the application form to register with a family physician here.
- Submit the completed and signed application to the family physician of your choice.
- The family physician informs the applicant of the registration or refusal to register.
The family physician informs the applicant in writing within seven working days of the submission of the application. If you have any questions, please contact info [at] tervisekassa.ee
Applying for temporary protection, residence permit and health insurance
Ukrainian refugees who have been granted a residence permit and an Estonian personal identification code do not automatically receive health insurance cover in Estonia. They can apply for health insurance cover after receiving a residence permit on equal terms with Estonian people at www.tervisekassa.ee/en/people/health-insurance. For example, a person working based on an employment contract valid for more than one month or an unemployed person registered with an unemployment fund is entitled to health insurance. Persons equated with insured persons include children, pregnant women, dependent spouses, persons with partial or no ability to work, pensioners, members of a religious association, pupils, students. Read about getting health insurance here.
When a person under temporary protection receives health insurance cover, he or she will also be entitled to planned primary and specialist medical care under the same conditions as local insured persons. Read more about the Estonian medical care system for insured persons!
By the order of the Government of the Republic of Estonia, starting from March 9, 2022, Ukrainian citizens and their family members fleeing from the war in their country can apply for temporary protection. Applications can be submitted at service points of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. Additional information available on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board: Temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens and their family members - Information regarding the war in Ukraine - Police and Border Guard Board