Estonia
Membership in EU:2004
Political system:Republic
Capital city:Tallinn
Total area: 45 000 km²
Currency:Estonian kroon (EEK)
Economy | Business Protocol | Legislative and Political System | More about the Country | Order a Business Information Report (BIR)
Economy
Statistical Office

Statistics Estonia
Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Entrepreneurship in the Country

Entrepreneurs in Estonia
Main economic activities are engineering, food-processing, metal, chemical and wood industry. The income from tourism represents 15% of Estonian GDP.
Track-Trace Shipments
International Trade Shows
Business Directories

Ärikataloog Estonia
Local Communities

Business Protocol
Business Communication

Estonians mean, what they say and do what they say they will do.
They expect foreign businesspeople to keep their word.
Failing to do so can cause irreparable harm to a business relationship.
They are generally polite and courteous speakers.
Estonians are somewhat pragmatic and reserved, especially in the early stages of developing a business relationship.
If you are from a culture where hand gestures are robust, you may wish to moderate them to conform to local practices.
Soft voices are the norm. If you have a booming voice, you may wish to moderate it when conducting business with Estonians.
Estonians do not always respond to what has been said, especially if they are uncomfortable with the subject or if they need more time to organize their thoughts.
Although they are direct communicators, Estonians temper their directness in order to protect the feelings of all concerned.
They are slow to pay compliments and may become suspicious of compliments, offered too readily and without sufficient reason.
Passive silence is often very much part of the business communication style.
Estonians are not fond of conversational overlap and will not think highly of someone, who interrupts them, while they are speaking.
Estonians value their good reputations. Therefore be careful not to criticize or embarrass anyone publicly.
Business Meetings

Meetings generally begin with a welcoming speech from the most senior Estonian at the meeting. The most senior person from your team should respond with a short speech.
It is common to continue meetings over lunch or dinner, although the conversation will tend to be social, rather than business oriented.
These seemingly social occasions are an opportunity for your Estonian colleagues, to get to know you as an individual and develop a personal relationship.
Since this is a culture that prefers to do business with friends, consider time spent at meals as important as time spent at the negotiating table.
Although Estonians juxtapose business and social situations, it is important to maintain a formal demeanour at meetings.
Estonians dislike an overly casual attitude towards business, especially from foreigners.
It generally takes several meetings to reach a decision. In most cases, decisions are still made at the top of the company, so unless you are meeting with the top echelon of the company, what you propose will have to make its way up the chain of command for approval.
Older businesspeople are generally only fluent in Estonian or Russian. Therefore, you may wish to have an interpreter with you at meetings.
Legislative and Political System
President

President of the Republic of Estonia
Government

The Government of the Republic of Estonia
The Parliament of Estonia
Services of e-Government in Estonia
Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Estonia
Ministries

Ministries of Estonia
Constitutional Court

Supreme Court of Estonia
Legislation

Ministry of Justice of Estonia
The European Union Portal
More about the Country
Geographical Characteristics

Estonia is the most northern Baltic state. It lies on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. It is primarily a plain country with many lakes and island. Much of the land is cultivated or afforested.
Languages

Estonian; also Russian.
Short History

Throughout history the country was governed by many other nations – Danes, Germans, Swedes, Poles and Soviets, that influenced also the Estonian cuisine.

Estonia regained its independence in 1991, when it separated from the Soviet Union.

The capital Tallinn is one of the best preserved mediaeval cities in Europe.
Time Zone

GMT/UTC + 2
International Dialing Code

+372
Average Temperatures

July 17 0C, January -5 0C.
Opening Hours of Banks

Monday - Friday: 9.00am – 4.00/6.00pm.
Opening Hours of Post-Offices

Monday - Friday: 9.00am – 6.00pm.

 

Saturday: 9.30am – 5.00pm.
Opening Hours of Shops

Legally permitted opening hours of stores:

 

Monday to Friday: 9.00/10.00am – 6.00/7.00pm.

Saturday: 10.00am – 2.00/3.00pm.
Credit Cards

The following credit cards are accepted in Estonia: mainly Visa and MasterCard–EuroCard. They are accepted in numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Almost all petrol stations will accept credit cards.
Foreign Currency Exchange

Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger department stores.
Mobile Telecommunications

The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal, since the operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: EMT, Elisa, Tele2.
Anti Smoking Law

The Law that bans smoking in bars, restaurants and night clubs was passed in Estonia on June 5th 2007. Smoking is thus permitted only in specially designated areas, on the bus stops and underground stations.
Emergency Telephone Numbers

Police

110

Toll-free European emergency number (EEN)

112

Medical emergency

112

Fire emergency

112
European Emergency Number (EEN)
Population of the State

Statistics Estonia
Population of the Capital

Tallinn Statistics
Demographics

Statistics Estonia
Religion

Statistics Estonia
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