Travel Documents and Entry Requirements

Travel Documents

Before your journey, it is important to ensure that you have all the necessary travel documents with you. Eckerö Line transports passengers between Finland and Estonia, and an official form of identification must always be presented when crossing the border.

Citizens of Finland and the EU

All citizens of Finland and other EU countries are required to carry a valid passport or official EU identity card. This applies to all trips, including mini-cruises, even if the passenger does not leave the ship at the port. Children must have their own travel document, either a passport or an identity card. A driver’s license is not accepted as a travel document for border crossings.

Citizens of Non-EU Countries

Passengers from outside the EU and Schengen area must be prepared to present a valid passport and, if necessary, a visa or other entry permit.

Russian Citizens

Estonia requires all Russian passengers to have a biometric passport. For more information on current travel requirements in Estonia, please visit the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EES – Entry/Exit System (Citizens of Non-EU countries)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU’s new border control system, which records the entry and exit of non-EU citizens arriving in and leaving the Schengen area. The purpose of EES is to speed up border crossings and enhance security. More information is available on the EU EES information page.

ETIAS – EU Travel Information and Authorization System (Citizens of Non-EU countries)

The EU’s new Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is planned to be introduced in 2026. ETIAS will determine the eligibility of visa-exempt non-EU citizens to enter the Schengen area before travel. Passengers without a valid ETIAS travel authorization will not be allowed to enter the Schengen area. More information is available on official ETIAS website.

Additional Information and Official Guidance

For up-to-date instructions regarding entry, passports, and visa requirements, see:

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Passengers’ rights on sea voyages are regulated by EU Directive 1177/2010, which covers the rights of passengers on maritime and inland waterway transport.