Estonia

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Estonia, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2. 

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Estonia, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The tax implications for operating in Estonia may be found at the Internal Revenue Service’s Tax Convention with the Republic of Estonia. For further clarification, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts(FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Estonia at 73 out of 100 (18th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e. corrupt). 

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.    

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations

Articles

The US State Department's page on ESTONIA may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN ESTONIA WILL TIGHTEN DOMESTIC RESTRICTIONS INTRODUCTED TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AS OF NOVEMBER 16. FROM THIS DATE, INDIVIDUALS MAY ONLY GATHER IN GROUPS OF TWO IN MOST PUBLIC SPACES, EXCEPT IN CERTAIN ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE THEY MAY GATHER IN GROUPS UP TO 10. AUTHORITIES IN ESTONIA HAVE MADE COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE FOR ARRIVALS FROM HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES TO REDUCE MANDATORY SELF-ISOLATION PERIODS. TESTING FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT TALLINN AIRPORT (TLL) AND TALLINN'S PORT; ARRIVALS VIA LAND CAN ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT  AT ANY TESTING SITE WITHIN 1-2 DAYS OF ARRIVAL.  ARRIVALS FROM HIGH-RISK AREAS MUST REMAIN IN SELF-ISOLATION UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THE TEST ARE KNOWN.  IF A NEGATIVE RESULT IS RETURNED, INDIVIDUAL MUST STAY IN LIMITED SELF-ISOLATION UNTIL THE PERSON TAKES A SECOND TEST, NO LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST TEST. IF A NEGATIVE RESULT IS CONFIRMED, INDIVIDUALS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO SELF-ISOLATE. AUTHORITIES REGULARLY UPDATE THE OFFICIAL LIST OF HIGH-RISK LOCATONS.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu. 

If you are traveling to Estonia on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here. 

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic. 

The threat of civil unrest in Estonia is low.  Protests rarely occur in Estonia and seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to social issues. Protests that do occur are most common in Tallinn and Narva, and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.

Crime generally poses a low threat in Estonia. Petty crime is most prevalent in tourist locations.  

Nonviolent crime poses a low threat to foreign nationals and is concentrated in tourist locations such as the Old Town in the capital Tallinn. Thieves typically target bags, wallets, and electronics. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at major tourist attractions and on public transportation, particularly in higher-populated areas. Foreign nationals are typically targeted by criminals when the opportunity is right or when they are displaying obvious signs of wealth.  Crimes against foreign nationals are more likely to escalate late at night. Criminals often act in groups.

Scams pose a low threat to foreign nationals in Estonia. Official data is reliable. Criminal gangs typically perpetrate this type of crime, which may include a variety of tactics such as financial and dating scams.

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Estonia is low; foreign nationals are rarely targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including assault, poses the greatest threat from criminal gangs.

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a low threat to foreign nationals in Estonia. Anti-LGBT violence does not systemically occur in Estonia. Same-sex couples that express affection in public may face harassment from locals and police.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested, you should ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

  • Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. In Estonia, the legal system takes a zero tolerance approach, and even one drink can lead to a DUI arrest.
  • Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Estonia. Estonian law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, and the government generally respects these prohibitions. While the law is not specific regarding the forms of sexual orientation and gender identity covered, in practice all are understood to be included.

  • LGBTI travelers should consider exercising caution when visiting Estonia, especially when expressing affection in public, as local advocacy groups report incidents of verbal or physical assault based on perceived LGBTI identity.