Mostly yes, in cities. English carries most day-to-day situations in Estonia, while admin and smaller towns expect the local language. Estonia scores 75/100 for English in this model, the 9th highest of the 27 EU countries, and the main language is Estonian. These are MoveMap's rough, illustrative estimates to help you get oriented, not official statistics. Always confirm the specifics with official sources before you act.
Getting by day to day
English gets you a long way in cities and with younger people. Everyday admin and smaller towns often expect the local language, so some learning helps a lot. Younger people, hospitality and international workplaces are where English is strongest; older residents and rural areas, less so.
At work and with paperwork
Estonia has a sizeable international community, so English-speaking services, groups and workplaces are easy to find. Either way, official documents, tax forms and healthcare admin are usually in Estonian, and a local friend or translator helps early on.
Learning the local language
The main language is Estonian, which has a reputation for being tough for newcomers, so give yourself time. Even a basic level opens doors socially and at the shops, and it is often expected on the road to permanent residence or citizenship.
How Estonia compares
Among the 27 EU countries, Estonia ranks the 9th most English-friendly in this model.