Estonia
Currency in Estonia: what to use and how to exchange
Estonia uses the euro (EUR), adopted in 2011, so there is no currency to change if you arrive from another euro country. Pay by card almost everywhere, keep €20–50 in cash for markets and small kiosks, and withdraw from a bank ATM rather than a standalone exchange booth.
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GuideEstonia
Key facts
- Currency
- Euro (EUR), in use since 1 January 2011
- Coins and notes
- 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins; €1 and €2 coins; €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 notes
- Card acceptance
- Widely accepted, including contactless, in cities and most larger towns
- Cash still useful forcheck
- Markets, small kiosks, rural cafés, tips, some buses
- Best way to get cashcheck
- Bank ATM (Swedbank, SEB, LHV, Luminor) rather than an exchange counter
- Typical ATM feecheck
- Your own bank's foreign-use fee plus any operator fee shown on screen; 2026 estimate
- Exchange rate spreadcheck
- Airport and hotel counters usually cost more than an ATM withdrawal
- Old kroon notes
- Estonian kroon was replaced by the euro in 2011 and is no longer legal tender
Details
Estonia joined the euro area on 1 January 2011, replacing the kroon. That means prices, tickets and card terminals are all in euros, and any cash you bring in another European currency has to be changed. If you are arriving from Finland, Latvia, Germany or another euro country, you can skip the exchange question entirely.
Cards are the default. Supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, museums, taxis and most buses accept Visa and Mastercard, and contactless is standard. In Tallinn and Tartu you can go days without touching cash. Outside the cities, coverage thins: a village shop, a farm stall or a summer kiosk may take cash only, and some rural buses still sell tickets for coins.
For cash, use a bank ATM. Estonian banks such as Swedbank, SEB, LHV and Luminor run ATM networks in cities and larger towns, and the machine will show any operator fee before you confirm. Decline the ATM's own conversion offer and let your home bank do the conversion, which is usually cheaper. Standalone exchange counters, especially at the airport, the ferry terminal and in the Old Town, tend to have wider spreads.
If you do need a counter, compare the rate against the official European Central Bank reference rate for the day and ask about commission separately. Never use a booth that quotes a rate without showing the total cost. Hotels are convenient but rarely competitive.
Estonia is a small country with a dense card network, so the practical plan is: carry a card, withdraw €50–100 at a bank ATM on arrival, and top up only if you head somewhere rural. Keep small notes and coins for tips and market stalls.
Summary table
| Item | What to expect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Since 2011 |
| Card acceptance | High in cities, moderate in rural areas | Visa and Mastercard standard |
| Contactless | Common | Check |
| ATM availability | Good in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu and larger towns | Bank ATMs preferred |
| ATM fee | Operator fee shown on screen plus your bank's fee | 2026 estimate |
| Exchange counters | Available at airport, port and in Tallinn Old Town | Usually worse than an ATM |
| Cash needed for | Markets, small kiosks, some rural buses, tips | Check |
| Tipping | Not expected; round up or about 10% for good service | See money and tipping page |
| Cards accepted for transport | Yes on Tallinn public transport and most intercity buses | Check |
Fees and acceptance can change; confirm at the machine or with your bank (check).
Tips
- Withdraw from a bank ATM during opening hours if you want staff nearby for problems.
- Always choose to be charged in euros, not in your home currency, when a terminal offers the choice.
- Keep a few €1 and €2 coins for lockers, market stalls and small purchases.
- Tell your bank you are travelling if it still requires a travel notice.
- Carry a backup card from a different network in case one is blocked.
- If you are heading to the islands or rural south Estonia, take more cash than you would in Tallinn.
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Estonia?
The euro (EUR). Estonia adopted it on 1 January 2011, replacing the kroon. Prices, tickets and card terminals are all in euros, so travellers from other euro countries do not need to exchange anything.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Estonia?
A bank ATM is usually the cheapest way to get euros. Bank ATMs in Tallinn, Tartu and other larger towns show any operator fee before you confirm. Airport, port and Old Town exchange counters typically have wider spreads, so compare before using one.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Estonia?
Use a card as your main method; contactless is accepted almost everywhere in cities. Carry €20–50 in cash for markets, small kiosks and rural areas, and withdraw more from a bank ATM if you leave the main towns.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialEuropean Central Bank – Euro area
- officialEesti Pank (Bank of Estonia)
- officialVisit Estonia
- secondaryWikivoyage – Estonia