Is wild camping allowed in Estonia?

Yes, wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is generally allowed in Estonia. Both the authorities and residents are very tolerant of wild campers, but there are a few points to bear in mind.

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Written by: Phil

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Last researched: 2023

The possibility of camping in nature without penalties is based on the everyman's right (igaüheõigus or igameheõigus). Everyman's right is a customary right and allows people to spend the night in nature and to collect fruits that are not explicitly protected.

However, some points need to be taken into account:

You may only enter uncultivated land, land that is not farmed.
Trees, bushes, and wildlife habitats and nests must not be damaged
Washing of clothes or dishes is only allowed on dry land and not in the rivers or lakes

As in every country, the general rules of conduct for wild camping apply here as well. Detailed information can be found on www.eesti.ee/.

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2024-10-09:

You can find the perfect pitch to set up your camp with the Caravanya App

Tips and tricks for wild camping in Estonia

Extensive forests, thousands of small islands, and untouched nature; all this and much more makes Estonia a popular destination for campers and nature lovers. Thanks to the everyman's right, wild camping is no problem, there are even free campsites with all the amenities you need. We have put together a few points that you should keep in mind when traveling.

Campsites & hiking trails
In Estonia, there are many free campsites where you can find the amenities of normal campsites. The campsites are operated by the national forestry office RMK. On the RMK website, you will also find several hiking trails, cycle paths, and fireplaces.

Fishing
In Estonia, it is generally allowed to fish with a simple fishing rod in public waters if you have bought the necessary fishing license. You can easily buy one online. Children under 16, pensioners and disabled people do not need to buy a license and can fish for free.

Campfire
In Estonia, it is allowed to make a campfire when camping in the wild as long as you follow certain rules

Only official fireplaces should be used in forests
No trees may be damaged to obtain firewood
Campfires may only be lit if there is no fire hazard

In some areas, campfires are generally prohibited. You can find out whether this is the case in your travel area by calling 1524, the information telephone of the rescue service.

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10 interesting, bizarre and funny facts about Estonia

Estonia is a small country in the north-east of Europe, with many forests and islands. Many times this is all that comes to mind when you think of Estonia. But how many "capitals" does the country have? And what is Kiiking? We have collected a few facts about Estonia to give you an understanding of this small country.

Fact #1 - e-Estonia
Estonia is the first country in the world to offer online elections and votes. The country is focusing on digitalization to make administrative procedures easier for the population.

Fact #2 - Capital cities
Besides the official capital Tallinn, the country has other designated capitals: Tartu for culture, Türi for spring, Pärnu for summer, Jõgeva for winter, and Kuressaare as the capital of weddings.

Fact #3 - Religion
The majority of Estonians are nondenominational. According to a survey conducted in 2009, only 16% of Estonians consider religion important. This makes it the most non-religious country in the world.

Fact #4 - Visibility
To prevent accidents, all persons traveling in the dark must wear reflectors, whether on a bicycle or foot. If you do not wear a reflector you can be fined up to 400 €.

Fact #5 - Kiiking
Kiiking is an Estonian sport and means to seesaw. Of course, it is not a normal swing, but a 360 degree swing with different heights.

Fact #6 - Woman carrying
Estonians are among the most successful women carriers in the world. In the period from 1998 to 2008, they became world champions eleven times in a row. In the meantime, even a carrying technique is named after them, the "Estonian Carry."

Fact #7 - Public transport
Public transport in Tallinn is completely free. However, this only applies to the inhabitants of Tallinn, all other passengers have to buy normal tickets.

Fact #8 - Tree of the year 2015
In 2015, an Estonian oak was chosen as the tree of the year. What made it special? It stands in the middle of a football field and is listed as the 12th player of the home team.

Fact #9 - Animals
In Estonia, you can see a variety of birds, as well as more dangerous animals. In the forests, there are wild lynx, wolves, and brown bears. So be careful when you camp in the forest.

Fact #10 - Crater
Considering the land area of Estonia, it has the highest number of meteorite craters in the world. The most famous crater field in Estonia is the crater field of Kaali. In the past, it was used as a sacrificial site.

Everything you need to know for your trip

Equipment

Warning triangle Yes
Safety vest Yes
First aid kit Yes
Replacement lamp set No
Spare tyre / repair set No
Fire extinguisher Yes
Tow rope No
Tear rope for all trailers No

Driving

Do I need a vignette, or are there tolls? No
Right hand trafficTo avoid dazzling other road users, you need to readjust or mask your headlights if they have asymmetrical light and are right-hand drive
Is it compulsory to drive with lights on during the day? Yes

Information

Is the tap water potable? Yes
Socket type: C+F
Energency numbers: 112
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Official Languages: Estonian
Country licence plate code: EST

Average prices, in €

Price coffee rounded: 2.00
Price beer rounded: 3.25

Entry conditions for animals

You need a valid EU pet passport in which your animal is clearly identified (microchip or tattoo), as well as a rabies vaccination valid on entry. The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old, but not older than 6 months. Yes
If your entry is from a non-EU country with a reduced rabies status, you must have a rabies antibody test carried out approximately four weeks before you enter the country and have it entered on your EU pet passport. Yes
Your dog must be treated for tapeworms 24 to 120 hours before entry. No
In addition to a valid EU pet passport with all the required entries, you also need an official veterinary health certificate (max. 10 days old). No
The import of fighting dogs or breeds classified as dangerous is not permitted. No

We try our best to keep the information up to date. Even so, we can always make mistakes. Have you found an error? Send us an email to moc.aynavarac@ofni!

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