Top payment methods in Estonia: A guide on best ways to pay
Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Estonia? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.
Estonia, with a population of around 1.37 million people, has a GDP of approximately 45.00 billion making it the 101st largest economy in the world. The official currency of Estonia is the Euro (EUR)
The economy is driven by information technology, electronics, and services, with a strong startup culture. As a member of the European Union and the Eurozone, it is deeply integrated with its Nordic neighbors and the wider EU market.
| Country | Estonia |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.37 million |
| GDP (USD) | 45.00 billion |
| Global Ranking | 101st |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
Spend abroad with the mid-market exchange rate - no markups, and no sneaky transaction fees.
What is the main payment method in Estonia?
The most common payment method in Estonia for all types of retail transactions is the debit card. For e-commerce, "bank links" are a dominant payment method, allowing users to pay by logging into their online banking portal directly from a merchant's checkout page for secure authorization. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay are also growing in popularity, driven by convenience and high smartphone penetration.
How to pay in Estonia
Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Estonia.
| Payment Method | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies. | Online/In-person |
| Cards (Debit/Credit) | Estonia is a highly digitized society where card payments are the primary and most common payment method for both online and in-person transactions. | Online/In-person |
| Bank Links & Transfers | Bank links are a unique and very popular e-commerce payment method where users securely authenticate and pay directly through their online banking portal. | Online |
| Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) | Mobile wallets that link to bank cards are widely used for convenient contactless and online payments. | Online/In-person |
| Cash (Euro) | While the country is highly digital, cash is still available and accepted as a payment method, though it is used far less frequently than electronic options. | In-person |
Traveling beyond Estonia? Explore payment methods by country.
Is PayPal available in Estonia?
Yes, PayPal is accepted in Estonia.
Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.
You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.
And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.
Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.