This is the story of the world's most advanced digital society
1991
Resuming independence
After 50 years of foreign domination, Estonia returns to the map of Europe with limited legacy technology systems and virtually no resources of which to speak. Yet policy makers discover that starting from scratch presents a rare opportunity.
Challenge
To build new technology infrastructure from scratch while catching up the West as quickly as possible.
Effect
Policy makers seize a unique opportunity to create low-cost, cutting-edge systems based around accessibility and efficiency.
1994
The first draft of the "Principles of Estonian Information Policy"
A strategic outline for IT development is drafted and ratified by the Estonian parliament four years later.
Challenge
To solve social challenges stemming from political uncertainty with IT solutions.
Effect
1% of GDP earmarked as state funding for IT.
1996
Launch of the Tiger Leap Initiative
A country-wide IT infrastructure development program.
Challenge
To catch up to the West by updating local IT infrastructure and establishing computer skills as a priority in schools.
Effect
99% of the population uses the internet regularly; Estonia ranked as #1 in the Digital Development Index.
1996
First e-banking services
Online banking solutions developed by private banks.
Challenge
To make banking solutions available to clients in rural communities.
Effect
The development of high-quality e-banking services, which encourage people to get online, embrace e-governance and, later, e-ID.
2000
e-Cabinet meeting
Database and scheduler for streamlining governmental decision-making processes.
Challenge
To reduce government bureaucracy by making e-solutions part of governance.
Effect
The average length of Estonian cabinet meeting shrinks to 30 minutes from five hours.
2000
e-Tax board
Estonians able to declare taxes online.
Challenge
To maximise state tax revenue to support the growing needs of a developing society.
Effect
To declare taxes now takes about 3 minutes online; 98% of people declare their income electronically.
2000
m-Parking
A system that enables drivers to pay for city parking via mobile phone.
Challenge
To manage growing traffic in densely populated urban areas, and to create a modern and low-cost parking infrastructure.
Effect
95% of parking fees are paid via mobile phones, Estonia’s m-parking solution has been adopted in countries around the world.
2001
X-Road
Distributed data exchange layer for registers and information systems.
Challenge
To create a national integration platform to reduce data exchange costs, and end data leaks from existing unsecured databases.
Effect
X-Road has become the backbone of e-Estonia, allowing the nation’s public and private sector information systems to link up and operate in harmony. 99% of public services are accessible online 24/7.
2002
e-ID and digital signature
Digital identification based on the mandatory ID card.
Challenge
To securely identify residents using public and private e-services.
Effect
98% of Estonians have an ID card; digital signatures save 2% of GDP annually.
2005
i-Voting
Maximising accessibility to local and general elections.
Challenge
To make voting more accessible to a country with a low population density (not to mention some extreme weather).
Effect
One third of votes in elections are cast online with votes cast from over 110 countries.
2007
Cyber security
Concerted effort to safeguard online data.
Challenge
In April 2007, Estonia was hit by the largest organised cyber-attack against a single country to date. International cooperation was needed to contain the emerging threat.
Effect
Estonia has become one of the leading nations in cyber security. Both the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the EU IT Agency are situated here in Tallinn.
2008
Blockchain technology
Scalable blockchain technology KSI is developed by Estonian cryptographers.
Challenge
To mitigate threats of insider data manipulation in Estonia’s registries following the 2007 cyberattacks.
Effect
Estonia has become a pioneer of blockchain technology. Several government registries are backed by KSI blockchain.
2008
e-Health
A nationwide system integrating data from Estonia’s healthcare providers.
Challenge
To improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare provided via public insurance.
Effect
Electronic health records provide comprehensive profiles of each patient, reducing bureaucracy and giving access to time-critical information in emergencies.
2010
e-Prescription
A centralised paperless system for issuing and handling medical prescriptions.
Challenge
To minimise paperwork for prescribing and dispensing medical drugs.
Effect
99% of medical prescriptions are handled online; routine refills can be issued without appointments.
2013
Public services green paper
Mapping challenges and solutions for developing state e-services
Challenge
To address the e-state’s current shortcomings to assure its sustainability and future development.
Effect
A better understanding of the public’s needs and the clear definition of goals and principles for the development of e-services.
2014
e-Residency
A borderless digital society for any global citizen to join.
Challenge
To discover innovative ways to attract international business and talent to Estonia.
Effect
e-Residency is the first digital nation for global citizens. The number of e-residents and their businesses is steadily increasing.
2014
Road administration’s e-portal
One-stop online service for drivers and owners of vehicles
Challenge
To simplify and reduce the costs of the Road Administration’s service provision.
Effect
The e-portal provides services six times faster, 20% cheaper, and increases transparency.
2015
World's first data embassy
Estonia green-lights plan to create the first data embassy outside its borders.
Challenge
To assure the digital continuity of Estonian statehood in worst-case scenarios like critical system failures or external threats.
Effect
Estonia is the first country in the cloud, our critical databases and services are backed up in a high-security data centre in Luxembourg.
2017
NIIS x-Road consortium
Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) ensures the development and strategic management of X-Road and other e-governance solutions
Challenge
To ensure the interoperability of e-governance solutions and platforms both nationally and internationally.
Effect
Founded by Estonia and Finland in 2017, NIIS is a pioneer of cross-border e-governance solutions, intent on providing better content and services for the public.
2018
Seamless services roadmap
Proactive government services that react to life events requiring minimal bureaucracy
Challenge
To reduce bureaucracy and human resources to manage essential routine state services.
Effect
Seamless services provide a more natural relationship with the state; the first seamless service went live in 2018.
2019
Government AI strategy
Outlining the current and future usages of AI in government and private services
Challenge
To create the legal and strategic framework for accelerating AI development, making Estonia a trailblazer in the field.
Effect
A detailed strategic plan for promoting implementation of AI solutions in the public and private sectors.
2020
Proactive Child Care
When a child is born, a population entry activates all of the following services, and the family gets all the benefits they are entitled to automatically.
Challenge
How to use the information that the state already has to create proactive services and lessen bureaucracy.
Effect
Parents of a newborn no longer need to apply for benefits.
2020
Remote Verification for Notaries
Remote authentication enables the conduct of notarial acts using Veriff’s online identity verification platform.
Challenge
Buying and selling real-estate while not being physically in the same space, during the pandemic or beyond.
Effect
There are now only two things that need to be done physically in Estonia – getting married and divorced.
2021
World's First Autonomous Hydrogen Vehicle
The hydrogen shuttle Liisu, developed by Auve Tech and researches from University of Tartu, is aimed at enhancing last-mile transportation.
Challenge
To bring together autonomous driving and remote control with hydrogen fuel.
Effect
Driverless hydrogen vehicle Liisu is an environmentally friendly alternative to personal cars.
Contact
Visit us physically or virtually
We host impactful events both in our centre and online for government institutions, companies, and media. You’ll get an overview of e-Estonia’s best practices and build links to leading IT-service providers and state experts to support your digitalisation plans.
Questions? Have a chat with us.
Call us: +372 6273157 (business hours only)
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Find us
The Briefing Centre is conveniently located just 2 minutes drive from the airport and 7 minutes drive from the city centre.
You will find us on a ground floor of Valukoja 8, central entrance behind the statue of Mr Ernst Julius Öpik. Photo of the central entrance.
Valukoja 8
11415 Tallinn, Estonia
