Families across Estonia will start applying for first-grade school places for their children this month, but data from Estonia's two biggest cities show that the number of new starters will be…

At their party council meeting, Estonia's Parempoolsed party elected Andrus Kaarelson as chair and outlined key priorities including economic growth, artificial intelligence, and reduced state control, with a vision to establish Estonia as the world's first AI society.

At its council meeting Saturday, Estonia's Center Party called for a fuel VAT cut and said it will begin talks to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

The icebreaker Tarmo is back at work after years of mild winters, and its captain warns shifting ice in the Gulf of Riga could worsen already difficult conditions near Pärnu.

March 14 is Native Language Day in Estonia, and thousands tuned in Friday for Vikerraadio's 19th live e-dictation contest, putting their writing skills to the test.

A municipality in western Estonia has opted to bring a local school which had long been the center of a dispute back under municipal control.

Estonia's Internal Security Service (ISS) has stated that information circulating online about a 'Narva People's Republic' is a 'cheap' Russian-language information operation designed to provoke society.

Even the recent sun and springlike temperatures aren't stopping die-hard skiers from making the most of lighter crowds and artificial snow on Tallinn's trails.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna stated that despite the geographical distance, Australia is a key ally for Estonia, as demonstrated by its stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, benefiting both nations' regions.

Pärtel-Peeter Pere, former Tallinn deputy mayor, has left Estonia's ruling Reform Party, accusing party leader and Prime Minister Kristen Michal of indecision and micromanagement.

The semi-final draw for this year's Evald Tipner Trophy was made at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn on Thursday.

The Goethe-Institut is set to reopen its "Ministry of Curiousness" in Tallinn from March to mid-May, providing a space where creativity, knowledge and the joy of discovery intertwine.

Director Sergei Zjuganov's debut documentary "Lost Dream" premiered in Tallinn, tracing Estonia's car culture in the 1990s amid the social upheavals following reindepdendence.

Volunteer rescuers in Setomaa, Võru County, Estonia, are receiving state support to develop a crisis-ready facility for their rescue unit.

On March 11, a court declared AS E-Piim Tootmine bankrupt and appointed Indrek Lepsoo and Olev Kuklase as the company's bankruptcy trustees.

Tartu is testing new electric bikes from two companies to replace aging models in its bike-share system as the city plans further purchases and upgrades this season.

March 14 is Native Language Day in Estonia, and Vikerraadio is celebrating again this year with its 19th nationwide live e-dictation contest on Friday morning.

The Estonian government is set to decide on Thursday how long to postpone planned fuel and power excise duty hikes, with the opposition supporting the plan and no other taxes expected to be cut.

Artist Rebeka Vaino's new solo exhibition "Moving Through Life, I Saw Flashes of Beauty from Time to Time" opened at the Kastellaanimaja Gallery in Kadriorg.

Estonia is among 22 countries that have sent a joint appeal to the director of the Venice Biennale, calling for Russia's participation in this year's event to be reconsidered.

Nearly €2.07 billion remained unused in the state treasury in the past fiscal year, which is mostly due to the slow movement of European Union funds, Aivar Sõerd (Reform), a member of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, said.

A legal expert states that a bill on consent, which may pass in the Riigikogu this year, requires clarification on the definition of consent in the context of sexual activity.

Henri Arras, vice-chair of the Reform Party's Tallinn regional branch, has proposed a 3.7 percent reduction in income tax for mothers for each child.

While spring is surely in the air, there is still enough snow left in Estonia's winter capital, Otepää in South Estonia, to host this weekend's biathlon world cup stage.

Support for Estonia's political parties has not changed significantly over the last week, the latest survey by research company Norstat Eesti AS and the NGO Ühiskonnauuringute Instituut show.

Some of the stops in rural areas on the Rail Baltica route, which was established several years ago, are a long way from larger settlements. Local governments must now begin working on ensuring connections to the stops and developing the surrounding areas.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal affirmed Estonia's alliance with the United States but clarified that the Reform Party-led government does not follow former U.S. President Donald Trump's MAGA ideology.

Freestyle ski star and Olympic silver medalist Henry Sildaru has stood by his father Tõnis, following a photo coming to light which allegedly shows the latter engaging in physical violence against…

Suur-Pärnu Pharmacy in Tallinn was founded by Estonia's first woman pharmacist, Olympiada Kann. A century later, its current owner continues to honor her legacy.

"Oh! ma waene Tardo Liin," a landmark 18th-century lament by Puhja teacher and clergyman Käsu Hans, was recently set to music and performed in a Tartu church.

Education leaders from around the world visited Estonia to discuss how schools should adapt to artificial intelligence, praising local classrooms for their approach to AI.

"Hungry again, just like in the old days", Estonian naïve artist Kairo is back with a brand-new exhibition in Tartu.

The number of people crossing the Koidula and Luhamaa border crossing points in southern Estonia has not decreased after the government decided to close the facilities overnight.

With the arrival of spring weather, electric bikes have returned to the streets of Tartu, Estonia, with the first batch deployed on Monday morning.

Estonian national team player Henri Drell made Spanish top basketball league history Saturday for his team Badalona Joventut.

Opposition MPs in Estonia believe Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna disregarded the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee's position in his comments on the Iran conflict and criticized EU foreign policy.

Tallinn will commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Soviet Air Force's air raid on the city, which resulted in over 500 deaths and 20,000 homeless residents. Flags will be flown at half-mast in remembrance.

On Sunday morning, one of the special repatriation flights for Estonians from the Middle East landed in Tallinn, with a second arriving in Riga.

Two people died in a car accident in Ida-Viru County, Estonia, on Saturday evening, with police investigating if alcohol was a contributing factor.

Estonia faces a critical shortage of internal medicine specialists, with nearly half of those currently working in the field set to reach retirement age in the next 5–10 years. The shortage also poses a major challenge for county hospitals.

A would-be Narva coalition between the Center Party and Plan B fell apart after a councilmember meant to defect changed his mind, leaving the opposition short of votes.

A state award (Riigi teenetemärk) lost in central Viljandi on Independence Day has still not been reunited with its owner, Sakala reported.

A support group is pushing for the Turba–Haapsalu–Rohuküla railway to be designated a nationally important infrastructure project by the Estonian government, which would enable it to access crucial EU funding for restoration.

The Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) approved a statement Saturday outlining priorities of economic growth, the nation-state and migration changes.

President Alar Karis' all-day reading marathon is back for Native Language Day, with the public welcome to stop by Kadriorg and enjoy readings by dozens of guests.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna announced that seven special repatriation flights from the Middle East cost the state approximately €800,000, which was less than initially projected.

From April 1, Estonia's top public servants will see their salaries rise, pushing the president, Riigikogu speaker and Supreme Court chief justice above €10,000 a month.

Bank of Estonia economist Kaspar Oja expressed doubts about the timing of the decision to cancel excise duty hikes, despite soaring energy prices, noting that Estonia has experienced higher prices previously.

The final plane leased to Nordica will be delivered to its buyer in the coming weeks, marking the end of the Estonian state's involvement with the airline's fleet.

Otepää's Biathlon World Cup opened Thursday, with events to run to Sunday.

Maaleht caught up with Estonia's only full-time funeral photographer, Joanna Raudhein.

The board of the Estonian political party Eesti 200 has decided to bring forward the elections for the party board and a new chair by several months, with the vote now scheduled for the end of March.

The Estonian government has confirmed that state pensions will be indexed from April 1, resulting in a 5.3 percent increase. This adjustment will raise the average old-age pension by €43 to €860 per month.

Gardeners are observing an unusual number of molehills this spring, which a zoologist attributes not to a sharp increase in mole population but rather to the specific conditions of a harsh winter and unfrozen soil.

An Estonian citizen has been detained on suspicion of violating international sanctions by facilitating the export of vehicles worth €25 million to Russia and Belarus over several years.

Estonia's Riigikogu is set to review proposed amendments to the Traffic Act that would introduce age verification and usage limits for rental e-scooters and mopeds, aiming to improve safety.

Estonia is scrapping energy excise hikes planned for May to shield households and businesses from rising fuel prices caused by the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran.

Despite a recent €37 million investment in making sure engineer training keeps up with labor market needs, the National Audit Office finds weak STEM education in basic schools spells future problems.

A textile waste recycling plant planned for Sillamäe, which the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency had promised to support with €39 million, is now looking for ways to survive, Postimees writes.

The Estonian Athletics Association (Eesti Kergejõustikuliit) has confirmed the national team for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland.

The Estonian parliament has approved a law to ratify the convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, aiming to address claims related to damages from the conflict.

Wind energy companies find that the conditions of the government's onshore wind auction fail to cover investment and operating costs, while planning processes remain painfully slow.

The incidental music to a Netflix chart-topping series was composed by an Estonian.

Triinu Laan and Anne Pikkov's children's book "Poiss ja papa" has been recommended by the jury of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Children's Book Award.

Estonian venture capitalist Margus Uudam suggests that the state should collaborate with the private sector to develop and excel in specific sectors, rather than attempting to be proficient in all areas given its limited resources.

Renewable energy company Sunly has submitted an application to build the largest data center in the Baltic states in Lääne County, western Estonia, with total construction costs estimated to exceed €1.7 billion.

(ANSA) - VILNIUS, 10 MAR - A retrospective of five films dedicated to Claudia Cardinale will be held at the Artis cinema in Tallinn and the Elektriteater in Tartu. The retrospective, organized with the support of the Estonian Cultural Endowment and in collaboration with Bestfilm Eesti, will take place between April 1 and 18 and will present masterpieces such as Mauro Bolognini's Il bell'Antonio, Federico Fellini's Otto e mezzo, and Luchino Visconti's Il Gattopardo to Estonian audiences. Read ...

DJ Afrojack, Robin Schulz and Tommy Cash are among the performers confirmed for this year's Pärnu Beach Grind music festival, which takes place from July 9 to 11.

After more than 80 years, an Estonian flag saved from Soviet forces during World War II is finally returning home from the diaspora in Australia.

A central Tallinn tramway is to be greened over as part of the capital's urban environment and cycle network policy.

The arrival of spring means bears are waking up from hibernation, meaning caution should be exercised when out and about in Estonia's forests and natural environment, Põhjarannik reported.

Insurers differ on whether the largest travel compensation payout in Estonian insurance history is likely to lead to higher premiums for all.

Fuel reserves in Estonia would only be used if all logistics routes were cut off and there is currently no reason to worry about motor fuels running out, Alexela's Tarmo Kärsna said.

An opposition leader in Tartu has criticized the city's decision to deprioritize cycle lanes and pedestrian walkways within its planned €16 million road construction projects for the year.

Fuel prices rose once again at Estonian gas stations on Monday due to an increase in the price of crude oil, which has now reached $115 USD a barrel.

President of Moldova Maia Sandu told Estonian journalists on Monday about her country's priorities in relation to EU integration, internal reforms and security. Sandu also emphasized Tallinn's special role in supporting Moldova.

While Iranians do not want war, if it changes the regime in Iran, they are ready to face it, an expat Iranian couple in Estonia told ERR.

Bronze Age residents of what is now Estonia ate a surprisingly similar diet regardless of their overall living standards — porridge, milk and meat.

Sunday was International Women's Day, Naistepäev in Estonian, and meant a busy few days for Estonia's florists and wholesalers.

Leaders of the Reform-Isamaa coalition in Tartu, Estonia, have voiced strong objections to the process of selecting members for the planned Tartu Prison oversight committee. Their protest stems from city authorities being unable to nominate their own members to the committee.

After armed men were spotted on the Saatse–Ulitina road last October, the Estonian government blocked two sections that cross into Russian territory. Now, the authorities face a race against time to build bypass roads in time for autumn.

New joint public transport tickets for Northern Estonia will go on sale on March 16, allowing unlimited travel on trains, city lines, and county routes.

Estonia's ruling Reform Party has presented a seven-page vision for the country, emphasizing freedom, security, economic growth, and AI, and opening it for public discussion.

Three coalition MPs in the Riigikogu are pushing for drivers to be notified with warning signs about the presence of mobile speed cameras. The opposition is split over the idea.

Several solar parks in Western Estonia have been subjected to theft and vandalism, prompting local police to launch multiple investigations into the incidents.

Spring mass limit signs are cropping up along rural roads, and officials warn this past winter's cold may have done more damage to Estonia's gravel roads than usual.

Narva is often portrayed as a city stuck in the past — but Zlata Karuke of the Narva Youth Parliament sees things differently.

This segment, 'Simple News,' offers a selection of this week's news stories for those looking to improve their Estonian language skills.

The outgoing 6th Squadron of the United States' 9th Cavalry Regiment were recognized this week after their deployment to Estonia came to an end.

Recent critically-received statements by the foreign minister and the prime minister suggest a foreign policy shift that has not been universally discussed, Raimond Kaljulaid finds.

Tallinn is exploring the possibility of halting train traffic on the Endla tänav rail embankment to facilitate the construction of EU-funded bike and pedestrian tunnels. While Elron suggests it might not be strictly necessary, the city is weighing the option.

Estonian parliamentary parties are split on a proposal to reduce mothers' income tax by 3.7% per child, with even the Reform Party's own faction considering it a topic for upcoming elections rather than immediate action.

Pärnu Airport's future is still up in the air. Finnish company Redstone is interested in running the airport but wants the Estonian government and City of Pärnu to continue paying subsidies for its maintenance.

Retired generals Martin Herem and Veiko-Vello Palm defended two former top Estonian Center for Defense Investments (ECDI) executives for joining the private defense sector.

Inspections by the Chancellor of Justice's Office of Estonia's open prisons towards the end of 2025 found conditions had improved, particularly in helping inmates reintegrate post-release.

Estonian columnist Kaupo Meiel argues that while Estonians already hold their language, nation, and land in high regard, the rest of the world needs convincing, proposing 'estocentrism' to declare Estonia the center of the world.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected claims from opposition politicians of a rift between Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's (Eesti 200) stance on Iran and that of the Riigikogu's Foreign…

Estonia has announced a procurement to find a single operator for four island ferry routes including Saaremaa–Hiiumaa and between the mainland and Vormsi, Kihnu and Manilaid.

Estonian police have stated that a bill drafted by Riigikogu members, which would mandate warning signs hundreds of meters ahead of mobile speed camera zones, is 'driven by emotion' rather than practical considerations.

Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus, the Estonian co-founders of Wise, have been included in the latest Forbes World's Real-Time Billionaires list.

The Education and Youth Board (Harno) announced that the decision on whether artificial intelligence will be used to grade Estonian language e-exams will be made after extensive testing and pilot trials.

This Saturday (March 14), the Sillamäe Museum is set to honor the legacy of founder Aleksandr Popolitov with a conference exploring unknown sides of the city and tour of the new exhibition.

EKRE's low rating is the result of Isamaa and Center copying items from the party's program, while voters need to be convinced the original is always better, said party leader Mart Helme.

Advanced drone tech now allows researchers to individually ID Saaremaa's seal population, and even to weigh pups.

Discarded bed sheets from Tallink's hotels and ships are the subject of a new exhibition by the Estonian Academy of Arts in the atrium of Tallinn's Viru Keskus.

A Tallinn tram driver who attacked a passenger at the weekend after they pulled an emergency brake lever has had their employment contract terminated, Delfi reported.

A €100 million investment in Estonia's defense industry announced by the South Korean defense company Hanwha Aerospace remains an offer, with negotiations ongoing, and is expected to satisfy the needs of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) as well as cooperation agreements signed with local companies.

A special screening of the 2015 documentary "The Story of the Baltic University" will take place at the Vabamu Museum in Tallinn on March 19, marking the 80th anniversary of the university's founding…

Banks in Estonia say a recent court ruling on access to customers' bank statements will not change how they handle requests from state authorities — at least for now.

A stipend paid to the coach and father of Estonia's sole Milano Cortina Winter Olympics medalist Henry Sildaru should not be taken to be a rehabilitation of character, Estonian Olympic Committee…

Tallinn wants to see new activities at the Christmas market this year, to offer residents and tourists entertainment as well as shopping opportunities, and extend the operating time into the new year.

The Chamber of Notaries is demanding that the Information System Authority (RIA) immediately provide a solution to technical problems with new ID cards that have caused major disruptions for notaries carrying out their duties.

Estonian opposition parties Center Party and Isamaa have each submitted separate bills to the Riigikogu proposing to cancel the fuel excise duty increase scheduled to take effect on May 1.

A court has reversed the part-closure of a high school in Ida-Viru County, upholding parents' arguments that pupils' Estonian language would suffer by attending alternative schools in the area.

Estonia's wheelchair mixed curling pair Kätlin Riidebach and Ain Villau are out of the Milano Cortina Paralympics after a heavy 10-0 defeat against South Korea.

On Sunday, two students decided to don wetsuits and ride an ice "raft" down the Emajõgi River, reports Tartu Postimees.

The Riigikogu Constitutional Committee has sent to the floor a resolution to form a parliamentary committee to investigate the ISS's handling of the police chiefs criminal saga.

Climate change influences the behavior of migratory birds, explains Wolfgang Vogl. There are even storks that stay in Austria all year round.

An Estonian businessman suggests that officials need better motivation to generate innovative ideas, noting that currently, good ideas often lead to media criticism rather than reward.

Estonia's Paralympic wheelchair mixed curling duo Kätlin Riidebach and Ain Villau now have an uphill struggle to make it to the medals matches at the ongoing Milano Cortina Paralympics after suffering their fourth straight loss on Sunday.

On Saturday, "Out of Line," a new exhibition dedicated to women, trans and queer voices opened at the Bästard Gallery in Tallinn's Põhjala Factory.

Estonian tourists who have returned home from the Middle East on specially arranged repatriation flights told ERR about their experiences over the past week and their relief at arriving back in…

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) have arrested a Latvian citizen on suspicion of operating a SIM box in Tallinn, which masks the international origin of calls in order to help facilitate fraud.

Estonians take pride in the dozens of lighthouses that dot the country's long coastline, a noted postage stamp artist noted.