Living in Estonia to pursue studies is a good thing.

However, it is overwhelming to find out about health insurance, particularly when you have your spouse or kids.

The alternatives are not so obvious, but rules are.

This guide will assist you in knowing how students and families are actually constructing their health-insurance plan in Estonia, using real-life examples, realistic prices, and the steps to take when making decision.

No clichés. No fluff. Indeed simply solid backup to a big portion of your relocation strategy.

Why health insurance matters so much in Estonia

Estonia’s system is efficient, digital, and well-regulated.
But it also requires you to hold the right insurance before you even enter the country.
A mistake here can delay your visa, block your temporary residence permit (TRP), or leave your family without proper medical protection.

International students usually combine a visa-compliant private insurance plan with either public Tervisekassa coverage or EU entitlements like EHIC.
Families rarely get a single “one-size-fits-all” policy. Instead, they mix and match:

• A student plan for the enrolled student
  
• A global or family-capable plan for spouse and children
  
• Or separate local Estonian policies for each dependant
  

This modular approach is normal, and once you understand the rules, it becomes easy to design a setup that fits your needs.

Key Health Insurance Rules for Studying in Estonia

Let’s start with what is mandatory.

Non-EU/EEA Students

If you are not from the EU/EEA, you must hold a private medical insurance policy that:

• Covers the full period of your D-visa or temporary residence permit (TRP)
  
• Explicitly guarantees payment for medical costs due to illness or injury
  
• Meets specific Estonian Police and Border Guard Board wording
  
• Has a minimum insured amount (commonly €30,000–€50,000, depending on insurer)
  

Short sentence here.
Your insurance must cover every day you stay in Estonia.

If it does not, your TRP application will be rejected.
This is one of the most common avoidable mistakes new students make.

EU/EEA Students

If you come from the EU/EEA, you can rely on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medically necessary public care.
However, EHIC has limits.

It does not cover:

• Repatriation
  
• Most dental care
  
• Private clinics
  
• Liability insurance
  
• Lost or stolen baggage
  
• Extra outpatient services beyond medical necessity
  

So you will still need a private insurance policy, even if only to fill these gaps.

Public Insurance (Tervisekassa) Access

Estonia’s public health insurance is excellent, but most international students do not automatically qualify.
You may access it only if:

• You work and your employer pays social tax, or
  
• You have long-term or permanent residency, or
  
• You qualify as a dependant of someone already covered
  

Students without employment need private insurance for their entire stay.
Families, unless working, must rely on private or global plans.

Commonly Used Insurance Providers for Students and Families

Below are the insurers most frequently referenced by Estonian universities and international-student offices.
This is not a government ranking—just a practical list based on what students actually use.

Swisscare – International Student Estonia

Swisscare is popular for a simple reason: it is designed specifically for Estonian students.
The policy is affordable, visa-compliant, and easy to purchase online before arrival.

What to expect:

• Emergency care
  
• Basic outpatient benefits
  
• Fast digital documentation
  
• Potential family options in some international plan versions
  

It’s not the most comprehensive plan, but it meets visa needs well.

ERGO (Estonia)

ERGO is widely accepted for student TRP applications.
It provides local medical insurance that fits Estonian health-system structures.

Key features:

• Policies accepted by Tallinn University and others
  
• Outpatient cover
  
• Hospitalization benefits
  
• Emergency treatment
  
• Options to add family members once in Estonia
  
• Co-payments similar to local norms
  

If you want to use Estonian clinics without confusion, ERGO is a reliable choice.

Inges Kindlustus

Inges is known for its Estonia-specific student and travel health policies.
Many students appreciate its online sign-up process.

What it offers:

• Visa-compliant medical cover
  
• Coverage amounts around €30,000–€50,000
  
• Possibility to buy dependent policies separately
  
• Good for stays of up to 12 months
  

It’s ideal for shorter stays or when you need a quick, straightforward certificate.

Salva Kindlustus

Salva provides several travel-health options suitable for international students and families.

Highlights:

• Emergency care
  
• Repatriation
  
• Some outpatient treatment
  
• Online purchase
  
• Family travel plans for shared coverage
  

Coverage varies significantly by product, so reading the fine print is essential.

KindlustusEst (Broker)

A broker can be a lifesaver for families.
KindlustusEst is often recommended by universities because they know the rules and can match your needs with the right insurer.

Family benefits:

• They can combine local policies for each dependant
  
• They can recommend which global plan fits your stay
  
• They help ensure your policy wording matches TRP requirements
  
• They troubleshoot if your documents get rejected
  

If you have dependants and don’t want to make a mistake, using a broker is practical.

Allianz Care

Allianz offers some of the most comprehensive international student and expat plans available.

Benefits include:

• Inpatient and outpatient care
  
• Mental health
  
• Maternity
  
• Dental and vision add-ons
  
• Worldwide coverage
  
• Family enrolment under one policy
  

These plans cost more, but many families choose Allianz because it combines global security with administrative simplicity.

AXA Global Healthcare

AXA is another strong global insurer for families relocating abroad.

Typical coverage:

• Hospitalization
  
• Specialist consultations
  
• Mental-health services
  
• Medical evacuation
  
• Maternity and newborn benefits
  
• Family-inclusive policies
  

If you want predictable coverage across Europe—not just Estonia—AXA offers stability.

APRIL International

APRIL is known for flexible pricing and modular benefits.
The company allows families to build different coverage levels for each member.

Advantages:

• 24/7 assistance
  
• Online claims
  
• Student-friendly policies
  
• Strong family options
  
• Customizable outpatient and maternity cover
  

If your dependants have different medical needs, APRIL lets you tailor each plan.

AON / StudentInsurancePortal Packages

AON works with various universities across Europe to create student-focused insurance bundles.

These packages may include:

• Travel insurance
  
• Liability cover
  
• Repatriation
  
• Baggage protection
  
• Optional coverage for partner/children
  

AON is particularly useful for filling gaps in EHIC coverage for EU families.

IMG (International Medical Group)

IMG provides widely accepted student and expat health policies that can be structured for families.

Coverage may include:

• Hospital and outpatient treatment
  
• Emergency evacuation
  
• Some mental-health support
  
• Optional maternity in certain plans
  

IMG is a versatile option if you want international coverage at a moderate price.

 Cost Expectations: What Students and Families Actually Pay

The price depends on what you want covered.
Here’s what you can realistically expect.

Basic Estonian Student Policies

(Swisscare, Inges, Salva, ERGO)

€25–€60 per month
Coverage is emergency-focused, with limited outpatient benefits.
Ideal for visa approval and basic protection.

Short sentence.
Affordable, but not comprehensive.

Global Student or Family Policies

(Allianz, AXA, APRIL, IMG)

€80–€250 per month per adult
Child premiums are often lower.

Higher costs give you:

• Strong outpatient cover
  
• Mental-health services
  
• Maternity (sometimes optional)
  
• Dental/vision
  
• Worldwide medical access
  
• Better limits and reimbursement processes
  

Families who want peace of mind typically choose this category.

Tervisekassa (Public Insurance)

You can only access this through:

• Employment with social-tax contributions
  
• Certain long-term residence rights
  
• Dependant status (limited)
  

Estimated contribution via employer: €200+ per month, though you don’t pay it directly.

4. Practical Tips for Families Building Their Insurance Setup

This is where most families get confused.
But the steps below will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

1. Check visa/TRP wording before picking a plan

Estonia requires specific phrasing in your insurance contract.
Not all international plans meet these requirements automatically.

Make sure your policy:

• Covers illness and injury
  
• Covers the entire intended stay
  
• Has no territorial exclusions
  
• Has sufficient coverage limit (≥ €30,000)
  
• Contains the exact required payment guarantee wording
  

If unsure, ask the insurer for an “Estonia-compliant certificate”.

2. Clarify whether dependants can be included

Many student plans cover only the enrolled student.
This is the biggest misunderstanding among new families.

If your spouse or children are joining you, you may need:

• A global family plan (Allianz, AXA, APRIL, IMG), or
  
• Separate Estonian policies from ERGO, Salva, or Inges
  
• Broker assistance via KindlustusEst
  

Short sentence.
Never assume your dependants are automatically insured.

3. Understand EHIC limitations for EU families

EHIC helps with necessary public care but stops there.
It does not protect you from:

• Private hospital bills
  
• Dental emergencies
  
• Repatriation
  
• Lost baggage
  
• Third-party liability
  

So a private plan remains essential, even for EU nationals.

4. Review co-payments and clinic networks

Estonia has co-payments in both public and private care.
Some insurers reimburse these; others do not.

Check:

• Whether your preferred clinics accept your insurer directly
  
• Whether you must pay upfront and claim later
  
• Whether dental allowances exist
  
• Whether accident-related bills are covered fully
  

Understanding these details prevents unexpected costs.

5. Plan early for maternity and newborn coverage

Many international plans have waiting periods for maternity—often 10 to 24 months.
If pregnancy might occur during your time in Estonia, you need to select the right plan now.

Also check:

• Whether newborns are automatically covered
  
• How soon after birth you must add your baby to the policy
  
• If premature care is included
  

Families often overlook this, leading to large bills later.

Simple Comparison Snapshot

Aspect	Local Estonian student/travel policies (Swisscare, ERGO, Salva, Inges)	Global student/family plans (Allianz, AXA, APRIL, IMG)
Visa/TRP acceptance	Usually meet Estonia’s exact requirements	Often acceptable but must be checked carefully
Family inclusion	Often student-only	Dependants can be added easily
Coverage depth	Basic, emergency-focused	Extensive benefits, broader limits
Cost level	Lower monthly cost	Higher cost, more comprehensive
Extras (dental, mental health, maternity)	Limited or excluded	Often included or available as add-ons

Building the Right Setup for Your Family

Estonia offers excellent healthcare, but families must plan carefully.
The student plan that works for you may not work for your spouse or children.
Global insurers may be more expensive, but they offer stability, maternity options, and broader coverage.
Local insurers are great for meeting visa requirements at a low cost.

Your ideal setup will depend on:

• Ages of family members
  
• EU vs non-EU status
  
• Expected medical needs
  
• Whether you plan to work in Estonia
  
• Your financial comfort level
  
• How long you will stay
  

If you share your family details—ages, nationalities, work plans, and budget—I can create a personalized shortlist with estimated monthly premiums and the benefits that matter most for your situation.

References:

• Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. (2024). Health insurance requirements for visa and temporary residence permit applicants. https://www.politsei.ee/
• Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa). (2024). Health insurance in Estonia. https://www.haigekassa.ee/
• Swisscare. (2024). International Student Insurance Estonia. https://swisscare.com/
• ERGO Insurance SE. (2024). Health and travel insurance products. https://ergo.ee/
• Inges Kindlustus. (2024). Medical and travel insurance. https://www.inges.ee/
• Salva Kindlustus. (2024). Health and travel insurance. https://www.salva.ee/
• KindlustusEst. (2024). Insurance brokerage services for international students. https://kindlustusest.ee/
• Allianz Care. (2024). International student and expat health plans. https://www.allianzcare.com/
• AXA Global Healthcare. (2024). International health insurance for students and families. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/
• APRIL International. (2024). International health insurance for students and expatriates. https://www.april-international.com/
• Aon Insurance. (2024). Student and travel insurance solutions. https://www.aon.com/
• IMG Global. (2024). International student and expatriate medical insurance. https://www.imglobal.com/
• Tallinn University. (2024). Insurance guidelines for international students. https://www.tlu.ee/