Application for ship and flight permits

Ship permit

A foreign ship fulfilling the state duties, military vessels and a ship conducting research needs a permit for entering Estonian territorial waters, inland waters or arriving to a port.

In case of military vessels, the application for permit shall be submitted via the foreign country's diplomatic representation in Estonia to the Ministry of Defence (further information on the website of the Ministry of Defence). Countries, which do not have a diplomatic representation in Estonia, may submit the application to a foreign representation of Estonia, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Defence.

In case of marine scientific research vessels, the application for research and ship permit for entering sea area of Estonian shall be submitted to Ministry of Climate [email protected]  More information is available on Ministry of Climate website.

If a foreign vessel carries a nuclear engine or a nuclear weapon or radioactive substances on board or it is another vessel fulfilling the state duties, the application for entering Estonian inland waters shall be submitted through diplomatic channels to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Countries, which do not have a diplomatic representation in Estonia, may submit the application to a foreign representation of Estonia, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In both cases, the application shall be submitted at least 10 working days before the planned entrance of the ship to Estonian waters.

If a foreign military or national non-commercial vessel innocently passes through the territorial sea, the notification should be sent through diplomatic channels to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 48 hours before the passage of the vessel (e-mail: [email protected]). Notification shall set out the name, type and other characteristics of the vessel, the time and place of the beginning and end of the passage.

Flight permit

A foreign aircraft fulfilling the state duties needs a permit for entering Estonian airspace, landing on Estonian territory or flying over the territory.

In case of military, police or customs aircraft, the application shall be submitted via the foreign country’s diplomatic representation in Estonia to the Ministry of Defence (further information on the website of the Ministry of Defence). Countries, which do not have a diplomatic representation in Estonia, may submit the application to a foreign representation of Estonia, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Defence.

In case of VIP flights (flight related to the state visit or an official visit which is significant politically or another diplomatic mission) the application shall be submitted via the foreign country's diplomatic representation in Estonia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Countries, which do not have a diplomatic representation in Estonia, may submit the application to a foreign representation of Estonia, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application shall be submitted (via e-mail: [email protected]) at least 5 working days before the planned flight.