Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO, OECD, OSCE, Council of Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States, HELCOM and WTO.

During the final stages of World War I, Estonia was occupied by Germany, shortly after the Estonian Declaration of Independence of 24 February 1918.

Germany first recognised Estonia's independence on 9 July 1921.

Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 28 August 1991.

[1] The German Air Force takes part in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission to guard the airspace over the Baltic states including Estonia.