Emergency care
Emergency care is a health service provided by a health care professional in a situation where postponing or failing to provide care may result in the death of the person requiring care or cause permanent damage to their health.
All health care professionals are required to provide emergency care within the limits of their competence and with the means available to them.
To receive emergency care, contact your family physician, go to the emergency department of a hospital or call an ambulance by dialing 112.
More information
More details about primary health care on the home page of the Estonian Health Insurence Fund.
Ambulance services
Ambulance services provide initial diagnosis and treatment in cases of life-threatening illness, injury or poisoning and, if necessary, transport the patient to a hospital. Ambulance services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are intended for providing emergency medical care.
Every person on the territory of the Republic of Estonia has the right to receive emergency medical care, and ambulance services are free of charge to the patient.
To call an ambulance, dial 112. If you are unsure whether you need an ambulance, you can call the Family Doctor's Advice line at 1220 for medical advice. In the event of poisoning or suspected poisoning, call the Poison Centre information line at 16662.
The provision of ambulance services is organised by the Health Board, which determines the number and location of ambulance service areas and the distribution of ambulance brigades among those areas. Ambulance services are financed by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, which enters into financing agreements with ambulance service providers in accordance with the Health Service Organisation Act.
More information
More details about the Emergency Response Centre and the processing of emergency calls can be found on the home page of the Emergency Response Centre.
Health management during crisis
Health care during crises includes the provision of health services during emergencies and national defence situations. The Health Board coordinates the preparedness of the health care system for crises, regularly monitors the preparation of crisis plans by hospitals and ambulance service providers and assesses their readiness to implement those plans. The Health Board also coordinates the national health care stockpile and organises crisis management exercises every two years.
The Health Board is also responsible for coordinating the response to crises affecting the health care system. Health services continue to be provided during crises, although available resources may need to be prioritised for patients in a critical condition. Patients whose condition is not critical are primarily assisted by family physicians.
More information
Last updated: 31.08.2026
