Understanding Employee Leave Regulations in Estonia

Estonia offers a comprehensive framework of employee leave entitlements that balance worker welfare with organizational needs. As an international HR professional, understanding these regulations is crucial for compliant workforce management.

Annual Leave Provisions in Estonia

The Estonian leave year runs from January 1st to December 31st. Employees become eligible for annual leave after completing six months of service, with a statutory minimum of 28 paid days. Specific entitlements vary by employee category:

Standard annual leave: 28 calendar days
Minors and employees with partial or complete work incapacity: 35 days
Educational professionals: Up to 56 days

Employers must communicate vacation schedules by March 31st annually. Failure to do so allows employees to schedule their own leave with 14 days' written notice.

Annual Leave Management Considerations

Leave may be divided by mutual agreement, with at least one continuous 14-day period required. Employers may reject requests for periods shorter than seven days. Both parties have rights regarding interruption or postponement of scheduled leave.

For instance, SailGlobal's HR management system helps track leave accruals and ensures compliance with notification requirements, reducing administrative burden for multinational companies operating in Estonia.

Family-Related Leave Entitlements

Maternity Leave

Estonian law provides 100 days of maternity leave, typically starting 70 days before the expected due date and extending 30 days postpartum. Employees must begin leave by the statutory start date to maintain benefit eligibility.

Consider a case where an employee gives birth prematurely. The leave period adjusts accordingly, with provisions for stillbirth or infant mortality ensuring continued support during difficult circumstances.

Paternity and Adoption Leave

Fathers receive 30 days of paternity leave, usable until the child turns three. Adoption leave provides up to 70 days for adoptive parents, with both parents eligible for simultaneous leave periods.

Parental and Childcare Leave

Parents can access up to 60 days of parental leave until the child reaches three years. Additional childcare leave provisions support parents of young children, with special considerations for single parents and families with disabled children.

Special Leave Categories

Estonian employees benefit from several specialized leave types:

Care leave: 5 days annually for attending to seriously ill adult relatives
Sick leave: Up to 182 days annually with employer coverage from days 4-8
Study leave: 30 days annually for educational purposes
Bereavement leave: Duration negotiated with employer

Public Holidays and Compliance

Estonia observes 12 national holidays in 2025. Employees working on these days receive double pay or compensatory time off. Employers must shorten working hours on specific days preceding major holidays.

Holiday	Date
New Year's Day	January 1
Independence Day	February 24
Good Friday	April 18
Easter Sunday	April 20
Spring Day	May 1
Pentecost	June 8
Victory Day	June 23
Midsummer Day	June 24
Restoration of Independence	August 20
Christmas Eve	December 24
Christmas Day	December 25
Boxing Day	December 26

Proper management of these entitlements requires robust systems. SailGlobal's expertise in Estonian employment law helps international businesses navigate these complexities while maintaining operational efficiency.

Estonia Employee Leave Guide: Comprehensive HR Compliance Overview