Estonia provides a comprehensive framework for employee leave entitlements, ensuring employees have time off for rest, illness, and significant life events. Understanding these regulations is crucial for employers operating in the country to maintain compliance and support their workforce effectively. This includes navigating rules around annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and other special leaves.
Ensuring accurate calculation, scheduling, and payment for different types of leave is a core responsibility for employers. Adhering to the specific requirements for each leave category, including documentation and notification procedures, is essential for smooth operations and legal compliance within the Estonian employment landscape.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Estonia are entitled to a minimum amount of annual vacation leave. This leave is intended for rest and is typically accrued based on the duration of employment.
- Minimum Entitlement: The standard minimum annual vacation entitlement is 28 calendar days per year.
- Extended Leave: Certain categories of employees, such as minors and employees with reduced working capacity, are entitled to extended annual leave of 35 calendar days.
- Accrual: Vacation leave is typically accrued proportionally to the time worked during the calendar year. An employee accrues the right to full annual leave after working for the employer for six months.
- Scheduling: Vacation schedules are usually agreed upon between the employer and employee. If no agreement is reached, the employer can establish a schedule, considering the employee's wishes where possible. Employees have the right to request vacation at certain times, such as before or after maternity leave or during the school holidays if they have a child under 14.
- Payment: Vacation pay must be calculated based on the employee's average remuneration over the six calendar months preceding the vacation and paid at least three calendar days before the start of the vacation, unless otherwise agreed.
- Splitting Leave: Annual leave can be split into parts by agreement, but at least one part must be at least 14 calendar days long.
- Carryover: Unused annual leave can generally be carried over to the next year by agreement, but it must be used within one year of the end of the year it was accrued.
Public Holidays
Estonia observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a day off on these holidays. If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to double pay or compensatory time off by agreement.
Here are the public holidays typically observed in Estonia:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| February 24 | Independence Day |
| March/April | Good Friday |
| March/April | Easter Sunday |
| May 1 | Spring Day |
| May/June | Whit Sunday |
| June 23 | Victory Day |
| June 24 | Midsummer Day |
| August 20 | Day of Restoration of Independence |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Boxing Day |
Note: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Whit Sunday dates vary each year.
Sick Leave
Employees in Estonia are entitled to sick leave when they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. The compensation for sick leave involves contributions from both the employer and the state.
| Period of Incapacity | Payer | Compensation Rate (of average daily wage) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | No Pay | 0% | Waiting day |
| Days 2-5 | Employer | 70% | Paid by the employer |
| Day 6 onwards | Health Insurance Fund (State) | 70% | Paid by the state fund based on medical certificate |
- Medical Certificate: Sick leave must be certified by a doctor issuing a digital certificate of incapacity for work.
- Calculation: The average daily wage for sick pay calculation is based on the employee's social tax declarations for the previous calendar year.
- Duration: The Health Insurance Fund generally pays sick benefit for up to 182 consecutive calendar days (or 250 days for tuberculosis).
Parental Leave
Estonia provides extensive parental leave options, including maternity leave, paternity leave, and shared parental leave, designed to support parents and families.
| Type of Leave | Duration | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity Leave | 140 calendar days | 100% of average income (state benefit) | Starts 30-70 days before estimated due date. |
| Paternity Leave | 30 calendar days | 100% of average income (state benefit) | Can be taken flexibly within 2 months before and after the birth. |
| Parental Leave | Up to 475 calendar days (combined with maternity) | 100% or 50% of average income (state benefit) | Can be shared between parents. Duration and rate depend on income level. |
| Childcare Leave | Until the child turns 3 years old | Unpaid (employer obligation) | Each parent is entitled. |
| Child's Sick Leave | Up to 10-14 days per case (state benefit) | 70% of average income (state benefit) | For caring for a sick child under 12 (or under 19 with disability). |
| Adoption Leave | 44 calendar days | 100% of average income (state benefit) | For adopting a child under 10. |
- Parental Benefit: The state parental benefit (paid during maternity, paternity, and parental leave) is calculated based on the parent's income from the previous calendar year. There are minimum and maximum thresholds.
- Flexibility: Parental leave can be taken flexibly, including working part-time while receiving a reduced benefit.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the main categories, Estonian law provides for other specific types of leave under certain circumstances.
- Study Leave: Employees are entitled to study leave for participating in formal education or vocational training. This includes 30 calendar days of study leave per year, for which the average wage is paid for 20 calendar days. An additional 15 calendar days of unpaid leave may be granted for completing formal education.
- Bereavement Leave: While not explicitly defined as a separate statutory leave type with mandatory pay in all cases, employers typically grant leave upon the death of a close family member. The duration and pay depend on internal company policy or collective agreements.
- Leave for Performing Public Duties: Employees are entitled to time off to perform unavoidable public duties (e.g., court attendance, military service). Compensation depends on the specific duty and relevant laws.
- Leave for Participating in a Strike: Employees participating in a lawful strike are entitled to leave, which is unpaid.
- Sabbatical Leave: There is no statutory right to a general sabbatical leave in Estonia. Any such leave would be based on agreement between the employer and employee.
