Piirivalveamet

Piirivalveamet, or the Border Guard Administration, is the Estonian border guard arm within the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). It is responsible for protecting Estonia’s external borders and for border control activities, including border surveillance, checks at external borders and points of entry, and the prevention of illegal migration and cross-border crime. The agency also conducts search and rescue operations at sea and on land and helps protect critical border infrastructure. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior through the PPA.

The border guard uses a mix of assets and units, including border guard squads, coast guard vessels, aircraft, and border-crossing points. It collaborates with other Estonian authorities, such as the Police and Rescue Services, and engages in international cooperation. In European Union and Schengen matters, Piirivalveamet participates in Frontex operations, shares information through the Schengen Information System, and contributes to joint border-control efforts.

History: The border guard function has existed in Estonia since the country regained independence. In 2010, the Police and Border Guard Board was established, merging police and border-guard functions. Piirivalveamet operates as the border-guard arm of the PPA, and since that time has modernized border-management capabilities and integrated with European border-security networks.

Piirivalveamet’s role is to maintain Estonia’s border integrity, support national security, and facilitate lawful movement across the country’s external frontiers.