Last updated on January 16, 2024.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Estonia

Vacation Leave Quota

28 days

Both part-time and full-time employees have a right to vacation leave.

Regular employees in Estonia are entitled to at least 28 days of paid vacation. An employer and an employee can mutually agree to more vacation days. Vacation leave accrues on a monthly basis at a rate of 2.33 days each month. However, a definite number of vacation days also depends on the job position that an employee has, the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), or the employee’s employment contract.

Certain categories of special employees have 35 days of paid vacation:

• employees who are minors;

• employees with partial or no workability.

An employee becomes eligible for vacation leave after 6 months of continuous work.

The vacation leave policy in Estonia is more generous than most national leave policies in Europe. Only the United Kingdom’s leave policy guarantees employees 28 days of paid vacation.

Carry Over

Allowed. Maximum 1 year of delay.

Employees are required to take at least 14 consecutive days of vacation. Employers may deny a request to split vacation days into periods that are shorter than seven days.

Any unused vacation days within the year will be carried over to the following year. However, the right to take vacation days ends one year after the days have been given.

Payment of Unused Vacation Days Upon Termination

Required by law.

When an employment contract ends, an employer must pay the employee for any unused vacation days.

Sick Leave in Estonia

182 days

Employees in Estonia can take up to 182 days of sick leave (240 days in the case of tuberculosis).

Payout

The 1st day of sick leave is not paid. Employees are paid after the second day of sick leave.

From days 2 to 5, an employee receives 70% of their average income. Paid by the employer.

After day 6, an employee receives a sum based on the social tax. Paid by the government health insurance.

Maternity, Paternity, and Parental Leave

Maternity Leave

100 days

A pregnant employee in Estonia is entitled to a minimum of 100 days of maternity leave. Leave may begin 70 days before the anticipated date of delivery.

A mother can continue her leave if she takes a parental leave.

Payout

An employee on maternity leave receives maternity benefits for 100 days, at a rate of 100% of earnings before leave. Maternity benefits are paid by the government’s health insurance.

Paternity Leave

30 days

An employee who has become a father is entitled to 30 days of paternity leave. This leave can be used at any time until the newborn child is 3 years old. A father can further extend his leave by taking parental leave.

This paternity leave entitlement of 30 days puts Estonia among the countries with the best paternity leave in the world.

Payout

The Estonian government’s health insurance pays 100% of the regular salary of employees on paternity leave.

Parental Leave

60 days

Parents with newborns are eligible for 60 days of paid parental leave. This leave is not limited to one parent; rather both parents can share it. However, it is not possible to extend the duration of parental leave.

Payout

An Estonian insurance fund pays employees during parental leave.

Bereavement Leave in Estonia

Bereavement leave is not specified by law.

Jury Duty Leave in Estonia

Jury duty leave is not specified by law.

Military Leave in Estonia

Military leave is not specified by law.

Voting Leave in Estonia

Voting leave is not specified by law.

Public Holidays in Estonia for 2024

12 days of public holidays

There are 12 national public holidays in Estonia; each lasts for one day.

A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Estonia:

Sources

1. Local Laws & Regulations, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/estonia

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide Estonia, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/estonia/

3. Definitive Guide to Hiring in Estonia, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/estonia

Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.