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Citizen’s Handbook
Foreword
This Citizen’s Handbook is a new, fifth edition of the book that was first published in 2004. The handbook has been updated on the basis of amendments made to legal acts and supplemented by new topics. It is primarily intended for third-country nationals who have settled in Estonia, but the information may be useful for all the residents.
The Citizen’s Handbook includes concentrated information about the functioning of the state and communication with state institutions. The topics addressed are the authors’ selection of the ones that all of us encounter most frequently. The texts are based on the previous handbook, the portal www.eesti.ee, the texts of legal acts and the home pages of the relevant institutions. This version of the handbook has been issued as topical brochures and the texts have been prepared as at July 2013. As laws and official procedures are changed from time to time, please make sure that you have the valid version. For that purpose, check the texts of legal acts from the electronic State Gazette (Riigi Teataja). For assistance in more serious questions, contact a specialist. The publication also contains links to institutions and organisations that provide more detailed information. The version available on the Internet contains direct links to the home pages of institutions, where you can find the most relevant and up-to-date information. The handbook is available electronically free of charge on the home page of the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People (www.meis.ee).
The preparation of the Citizen’s Handbook has financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, the Ministry of Culture and the Integration and Migration Foundation Our People and the book is available in Estonian, Russian and English.
We hope you enjoy using this practical handbook!
1. The Estonian State and Country
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name of state: Republic of Estonia
in English: the Republic of Estonia
in Russian: Эстонская Республика
in French: la République d’Estonie
National day: 24 February, Independence Day and anniversary of the Republic of Estonia
Area: 45,227 km2
Population as at 31 December 2011: 1,294,236
(1,286,540 estimated as at 1 January 2013estimated as at 1 January 2013)
Population density: 28.6 per square kilometre (European average ~72/km2)
Official language: Estonian (provided for in the ConstitutionConstitution). The Estonian language is also an official language of the European Union. Everyone has the right to use Estonian when communicating with European Union institutions.
Capital: Tallinn
Currency: euro, abbreviation EUR, symbol €
In Estonia, the Summer Time (daylight saving time) applies. This means that on the last Sunday in March, at 3 AM, the clocks are set one hour ahead. Return to the Winter Time takes place on the last Sunday in October, at 4 AM – the clocks are set one hour back.
NATIONAL SYMBOLS
Estonian flag
The Estonian flag is made up of three horizontal bands of colour of equal width: blue, black and white. The hoist to fly ratio of the flag is 7:11. Normal dimensions: 105×165 cm. In Estonian, the flag is also referred to as the “sinimustvalge” (‘blue-black-white’). The same colours are used in the national flag/state flag and the flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. Use of the Estonian flag is regulated by the Estonian Flag ActEstonian Flag Act. (Estonian legislation is available in the electronic Riigi Teataja (State Gazette) at www.riigiteataja.eewww.riigiteataja.ee.)
According to one of several interpretations, the blue colour represents faith in the future of the Estonian people, the black symbolises Estonian soil, national black coat and difficult past, and the white the promise of a brighter future.
The flag of the President of the Republic is an Estonian flag which bears the greater national coat of arms in the centre. The flag of the Estonian navy bears the lesser national coat of arms on both its sides. The Minister of Defence, as well as the police, border guard and customs institutions and post offices are entitled to use an Estonian flag bearing a specific emblem. The flag of a natural person or legal person (with the exception of the flag of the Estonian Students’ Society) may not be so similar to the Estonian flag that the two are likely to be confused.
Estonian coat of arms
The Estonian national coat of arms has two forms: the greater national coat of arms and the lesser national coat of arms. The national coat of arms has three blue lions passant guardant on a golden shield, with their faces turned towards the viewer. The greater national coat of arms has two golden oak branches; the lesser coat of arms lacks these branches. The national coat of arms has been established by the National Coat of Arms ActNational Coat of Arms Act.
Estonian national anthem
The national anthem of the Republic of Estonia is the choir song “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm”, music by Finnish composer Fredrik Pacius, lyrics in Estonian by Johann Voldemar Jannsen. The melody of the national anthem of Estonia is also used in the national anthem of Finland. The anthem was officially adopted in 1920, after the Estonian War of Independence. The Estonian national anthem has not been established and performance thereof is not governed by law. The tradition is that when the anthem is performed, people stand up and sing along.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, DAYS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AND FLAG DAYS
The public holidays and days of national importance have been established by the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance ActPublic Holidays and Days of National Importance Act.
The national day is 24 February – Independence Day, anniversary of the Republic of Estonia
Public holidays and days of rest:
• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• 1 May – May Day
• Pentecost
• 23 June – Victory Day
• 24 June – Midsummer Day
• 20 August – Day of Restoration of Independence
• 24 December