How to fill out an Estonian passport application form

It is passport renewal time for me once again yet it doesn't seem that long ago that I was in the Estonian Embassy in Berlin submitting my paperwork. Time certaintly flies by when you're busy! If you are a second or third generation Estonian like me who is not fluent in the Estonian language and sometimes needs assistance understanding certain words on forms, then this may help. Below I have provided a translation of everything you need to write on an Estonian passport renewal form. Use it as a guide to complete the form then attach a photo and sign within the signature box. For first time applicants, you will also need to provide additional information.

It is only possible to apply for a new passport via mail if less than 5 years have passed since applying for the previous passport and taking of fingerprints. It is always possible to apply for a new ID-card via mail. 

The form must be written in Estonian using block letters and black ink.

Estonian passport application form explained - 

On the left corner attach your passport photo, the right corner is the signature box. 

Isikutunnistus  - ID card

Eesti kodaniku pass - passport 

kehtivusaja lõppemine - expired

Taotleja isikuandmed - applicants details

Eesti isikukood - Estonian ID number

Eesnimed - first names

Perekonnanimi - last name

Sünnikoht - birth country

Sünniaeg - birthday (DD/MM/YYYY)

Sugu - gender - mees (male) naine (female))

Kodakondusus - citizenship

Taotleja kontaktandmed - applicants contact details

Tänav, maja, korter, linn või küla, vald - street, house, unit, city or town, county

postiindeks - postal code, maakond - state, Riik - country,  telefon - phone number,  e-post - e-mail address

Taotleja vanemad  - Only to be filled in by first time applicants

Dokumendi väljastamine - document issuing

Isikutunnistus (ID card) – location where you would like to pick up your ID card

Pass (passport) – locarion where you would like to pick up your passport

Taotleja seadusjärgne esindaja - only applicable when applicant is younger than 15 years old

Kõik taotlusesse esitatud andmed ja taotlusele lisatud dokumendid on õiged. Olen, teadlik, et valeandmete ja võltsitud dokumendite esitamine on karistatav (basically means that you state that all information in this form is correct). Päev/kuu/aasta (DD/MM/YYYY) taotleja või taotleja seadusjärgse esindaja allkiri (your signature)

Täidab ametnik (this you will leave empty, it’s for the official person)

Sample form

More information about Estonian passports can be found here: Politsei.ja Piirvalveamet

EV 100 'Elagu Eesti' Men's and Women's Socks

I was browsing on-line this morning for EV100 merchandise and it appears the official webstore is not open yet (or I couldn't find it) however I did come across these attractive socks. The socks are produced by Sokisahtel and are a practical means of celebrating Estonia's 100th birthday. Everyone needs socks! 

Elagu Eesti - Long live Estonia!

The socks cost 4,50€ a pair and can be purchased here:
EV 100 ELAGU EESTI socks for men , EV 100 ELAGU EESTI naiste sokid

Create your own personal Estonia 100 logo

The Estonia 100 logo symbolises one hundred years of being independent, and we can all contribute to the celebrations. Simply choose your favourite picture and use it to design your own personal Estonia 100 logo. It's easy!

You can design your own personalised logo here: EV 100 logo design

Above is my design featuring the fabric from Nõo parish (where my family are from).

Kalev releases EV100 celebrational chocolates

The Republic of Estonia will celebrate its 100th anniversary on the 24th February 2018. To mark the occasion Kalev chocolates have released a collection of sweet treats bearing the EV100 logo. Kalev is Estonia's oldest and most famous chocolate maker. No Estonian party is complete without a bit of Kalev!

For more information, please click here: Kalev EV100 chocolates

Video: Europe according to Estonians

Here's a tongue and cheek video I found on You Tube tonight. I got a few chuckles out of it, perhaps you will too!

An Estonian in Poland

For my summer holiday this year I decided to travel to beautiful Polska! My brother has been living in Krakow for the past two years and has found himself a nice Polish girlfriend and a good circle of international friends and so I thought it was time for a catch-up. After a brief trip in the former capital last year, I wanted to stay a bit longer in Poland this time so we decided to rent a lovely holiday cottage in picturesque Murzasichle. Murzasichle is a two hour drive from Krakow and only 15 minutes away from beautiful Zakopane. My brother's Ukrainian friend Oleg also stayed with us and it was great having such a mixture of languages in the house. I loved it!

My brother has found a new home for himself in Poland. What began as a holiday travelling across Europe has turned into a permanent base. Earlier this year he started a hospitality business that has gone from strength to strength. I am very proud of him. I especially love how he has incorporated the colours of the Estonian flag into his logo! 

I have visited Poland several times but one place I have been eager to explore is Zalipie. It's a charming village in South-Eastern Poland that is renown for its folk art buildings. It's not a place you come to by chance however, you have to be quite deliberate about getting there as its deep in the Polish countryside. I really enjoyed the one and a half hour drive from to Zalipie from Krakow. I passed by so many beautiful houses along the way with immaculately kept gardens. I was impressed! 

The Zalipie folk art tradition started over a century ago, when every single female resident in the village begun to paint her home with floral motives, as a means to cover up particular faults. Cute!

Beautiful folk art!

Even the simpliest of things are made to look beautiful.

Lovely!

Museum building.

As a predominantly Catholic country, Poland has many beautiful churches.

Several of them in the Murzasichle area are made from wood.

Prior to arriving in Murzasichle I had no idea there was a seperate ethnic group living in Poland called the Goral people. They are known to be very good at woodwork and have a distinct folk costume. The Gorals operate the horse and carriage rides in Zakopane and one of their specialities is the production of 'oscypki', a smoked cheese that can be found practically everywhere. It's absolutely delicious! 

My Polish home for a week.

This house design is typical for the area and is known as a 'domek'. 

There are few cultural similarities between Estonia and Poland. Apart from the bus stops having the same blue signs, occasionally I would come across a house that vaguely resembled an Estonian one in terms of paint colour or window design. Both countries share a love for wooden houses, but unfortunately they don't all withstand the elements. During my trips into Zakopane I saw many houses with fire damage.

Zakopane. 

A popular tourist spot that is great to visit in both summer and winter.

All the goodies I brought home with me.

Beautiful folk art is one of favourite things!

So what's next on the agenda? My brother and I are both going home to Australia for Christmas. It's been a while since the family has all been together and I can't wait ti see all my nieces and nephews again. After that, it be time to head back to Eesti for EV100 - can't wait!

New parking area planned for Tallinn Airport

In 2019 a new parking area is due to open at Tallinn's Lennart Meri  Aiport. The garage will hold approximately 1100 vehicles and will make arriving and departing much more convenient.  To learn more, watch this video.