Digital healthcare in Estonia
Key figures
1.3M
inhabitants
6.7% of GDP
destined for the healthcare sector in 2019
95%
data generated by hospitals and doctors are digitized
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A centrally governed country
Hospitals are public and the state funds hospital care.General practitioners are the first gateway to the healthcare system.
The healthcare system is financed by social insurance contributions. A single health insurance fund isresponsible for supplying the healthcare system for 95% of the population.
Meeting the ambassadors
Kristel-Amelie Aimre, Economic and Trade Counsellor at the Estonian Embassy in France.
A pioneer in digital health technology
The X-Road infrastructure,enables the exchange of data between the various information systems of the country's public and private sectors. This system provides an overview of all activities and flows in the ecosystem. It has facilitated the digitization of 99% of Estonia's public services, including healthcare services. Almost 100% of Estonian residents have a digital health record, almost all prescriptions are digitized, and an online consultation service facilitates collaboration between GPs and specialist doctors.
How do I access the Estonian market?
1. Get support from Entreprise Estonia
Steps to setting up business in Estonia are available on the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry website.
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Enterprise Estonia is the public institution responsible for supporting economic development in Estonia. It has various services to help with market recognition, market access, bureaucratic elements and everything related to the correct establishment and local integration of a company.
2. Go to Connected Health, the digital health innovation center
The main digital health innovation center is the Connected Health cluster, managed by Tallinn Tehnopol. It offers an incubator for start-ups as well as access to clinical trial facilities.
Healthfounders is a health economy gas pedal that aims to support 100 digital health companies over the next ten years.
3. Get reimbursed with Tervisekassa Health Insurance Funds
Tervisekassa is the sole purchaser of healthcare services. It obtains its supplies from a decentralized network of service providers.
Digital therapies are not yet reimbursed in Estonia.
Government authorities and platforms
They are the guarantors of smooth operation and cooperation in the healthcare system
.Support and innovation initiatives
They encourage and support the development of the digital health sector
.Training
Universities and their groups that train and support digital health innovations
Specific links
Estonia has established itself as one of the most advanced countries in Europe in the field of digital health. Renowned for the modernization and digitalization of its public services, the Estonian model is based on the strategic use of data, strong system interoperability, and a patient-centered approach. This vision has made Estonia a benchmark for organizations interested in the evolution of healthcare systems and the improvement of care through digital technologies.
The Estonian healthcare system is built around a national digital identity that enables patients to access their health information through secure platforms. Physicians, healthcare institutions, and health insurance organizations can access the data required for patient care within a regulated framework. This seamless flow of health data promotes better coordination among general practitioners, specialists, and healthcare providers. It also helps improve the quality of services available to the population as a whole.
One of the foundations of the Estonian model lies in the interconnectedness of its information systems. Thanks to highly efficient national infrastructures, healthcare services are accessible online and administrative procedures are simplified. Digital health applications, electronic health records, e-prescriptions, and clinical decision-support tools assist physicians and patients on a daily basis. This integration of digital technologies into care pathways improves the efficiency of the healthcare system while optimizing the use of available resources.
Prevention also plays an important role in the Estonian government's strategy. Vaccination programs, monitoring of citizens' health status, and the management of chronic diseases rely on the use of data and innovative digital tools. Patients with chronic conditions benefit from tailored services that encourage more regular monitoring and better care coordination. By leveraging data and accessible digital services, Estonia promotes more continuous patient support and more effective chronic disease management.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Affairs and institutional stakeholders such as the National Institute for Health Development, Estonia continues to advance its healthcare system. Exchanges between France and Estonia have helped disseminate best practices in the field of digital health. The Estonian model attracts the interest of many public decision-makers and healthcare professionals seeking to understand how digital technologies can simplify access to care, improve data sharing, and strengthen the efficiency of healthcare systems.
G_NIUS provides resources for innovators who wish to gain a better understanding of digital health in Estonia. The platform brings together information on the stakeholders, initiatives, and innovations that contribute to the evolution of digital health internationally. It offers an opportunity to discover the specific characteristics of the Estonian model and the developments that are transforming the organization of healthcare services in the country.