Employment Contract Details
Employment contracts must be in writing.
Probation Period
The maximum probation period is 4 months.
Minimum Wage Requirements
The Minimum Wage is EUR 584 per month.
Maximum working hours and overtime
For a full time employee, the standard is 8 hours a day, and 40 hours a week.
Bonus and expense payments
It is common practice to award bonuses to employees in certain industries. Terms and conditions are determined by the parties
Parental Leave
Parental leave is paid by the government and can be extended until the child turns 3 years old. Child care leave (extended parental leave) can be taken by one parent at a time. The amount of parental leave taken by each employee can be granted in parts and they need to notify the employer 14 days in advance.
- Maternity Leave: employees are entitled to 140 days of maternity leave, which can begin at least 70 days before childbirth. Employees can obtain a compensation for pregnancy and maternity leave in accordance with the Health Insurance Act.
- Paternity Leave: best practice is to grant employees 30 days. However, the employer must ensure at least 7 days of paid leave. This may be splitted between childbirth and until the child turns 3 years old. The employee can apply for Family Benefits Act benefit.
Sick Leave
In Estonia, the employer will pay the employee will pay the leave until the 8th day. After this period, Estonian Health Insurance fund (EHIF) pays the benefit. The employee will need to present an electronic incapacity for work certificate system which enables the physician and the employer submit the data to the EHIF database electronically.
