Frequently Asked Questions
Living in Estonia
Estonia is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen visa area. Visa requirements depend on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and its duration. You are advised to check your visa requirements and review the application process and necessary documents on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
More information and visa requirements
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Applying for a Schengen visa
If you need a Schengen visa, the application must generally be submitted to the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You can find the contact details of Estonian honorary consuls here:
Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Estonia
If there is no Estonian representation
In countries where Estonia has no embassy or consulate, you can apply for a visa through the embassy of another EU member state that represents Estonia in visa matters.
Countries where Estonia is represented in visa matters by another state
Last updated: 17 September 2024
The parental benefit is a replacement income that is determined and paid based on the applicant’s taxable income in Estonia. If the person has not previously worked in Estonia and has had no taxable income here, the parental benefit is granted at the base rate (minimum amount).
Minimum rate
In 2024, the amount is €725 per month gross (€24.16 per day). The rate changes each year. In 2025, the parental benefit rate will increase to €820 per month (€27.33 per day). The benefit is taxable.
Minimum wage rate
If the applicant’s taxable income during the reference period was equal to or less than the minimum wage, the benefit is paid at that level.
In 2024, the minimum wage is €820 per month gross (€27.33 per day). The parental benefit is subject to income tax.
Maximum rate
In 2024, the maximum amount is €4,733 per month gross (€157.78 per day). The maximum rate changes each year. In 2025, it will increase to €5,265.09 per month (€175.50 per day). The benefit is taxable.
Types of parental benefit
There are four types of parental benefits in Estonia:
- Mother’s parental benefit
- Father’s parental benefit
- Shared parental benefit
- Adoptive parent’s benefit
The amount of parental benefit for each parent is calculated based on their taxable income during the reference period.
If the parent had not lived or worked in Estonia before the child’s birth, the benefit is granted at the minimum rate.
Duration of parental benefit
The total period of parental benefit depends on whether the mother was employed before the child’s birth.
- If the mother was employed before the child’s birth: the family is entitled to up to 605 calendar days in total, divided as follows:
- Mother’s benefit – 30–100 calendar days
- Father’s benefit – 30 calendar days
- Shared benefit – 475 calendar days
- If the mother was not employed before the child’s birth: the family is entitled to up to 575 calendar days, divided as follows:
- Mother’s benefit – 30 calendar days
- Father’s benefit – 30 calendar days
- Shared benefit – 515 calendar days
Last updated: 17 September 2024
In addition to the general family benefits such as childbirth allowance, child allowance, parental benefit, and parental leave, a parent whose child’s birth certificate does not include the other parent’s name, or whose other parent has been declared wanted by the Police and Border Guard Board, is entitled to the single parent’s child allowance .
The single parent’s child allowance is €80 per month and is paid until the child reaches the age of 19.
If one of the parents passes away, the child is entitled to a survivor’s pension . The amount depends on the deceased parent’s accrued old-age pension and the number of children eligible for the pension.
Last updated: 17 September 2024
The processing time for family benefit applications depends on various factors. It is possible to apply for family benefits retroactively for up to 6 months from the date the entitlement arises.
The official decision period for granting family benefits is 10 working days from the date all required documents are received.
More detailed information can be found on the Social Insurance Board website .
Last updated: 17 September 2024
For a child born in Estonia whose parents meet all statutory conditions for receiving family benefits, a proactive notification of entitlement is sent to the parent's email (via SKA self-service) after the child's birth.
Additionally, family benefits can be applied for via:
- Social Insurance Board's self-service portal, using ID-card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID login
- By email with a digitally signed application
- By mail with a signed application
- At the Social Insurance Board customer service offices
Required documents for applying for family benefits:
- Application form for family benefits. The parent must specify the child (full name and personal ID code), the period for which benefits are requested, and the bank account for payments.
- Proof from other countries (previous residence) that benefits were not received or have ended.
More information is available at the Social Insurance Board website .
Last updated: 17 September 2024
The Estonian state offers various family benefits for households with children, which depend on the number of children, their ages, and the family composition.
Family Benefits
Estonian family benefits depend on the number of children, their ages, and the family composition.
Parental Benefits
There are four types of parental benefits: mother’s, father’s, shared, and adopter’s parental benefits. The amounts depend on the applicant’s average social tax contributions during the calculation period.
Child Support
If the person obligated to pay child support fails to do so, the state pays up to €200 per month per child. This support is available during court, enforcement, or bankruptcy proceedings.
Additional Contributions to the Funded Pension
If you stay at home on parental leave with a child under three, the state pays an additional 4% of the Estonian average monthly income subject to social tax into your second pension pillar each month.
Last updated: 17 September 2024
The main steps usually include registering your place of residence, arranging health insurance, and understanding your rights and obligations. Assistance and guidance are available, including support with documentation and integration procedures.
Here are some resources that can help you when moving to Estonia:
- For studies: www.studyinestonia.ee
- For work or entrepreneurship:
- For research:
- General information for newcomers:
- Returning to Estonia:
- For EU and other foreign citizens and their family members: www.settleinestonia.ee
Last updated: 7 August 2025
