Employment

Employee Rights in Estonia

Your rights under Estonian Employment Contracts Act (Töölepingu seadus)

Key 2025 Employment Figures
€886
Monthly minimum wage
€5.31
Hourly minimum wage
28
Calendar days vacation
40h
Standard work week

Employment Contract

Required Written Contract

All employment contracts must be in writing before employee starts work.[TLS §5]

Must include:

  • Names and registry codes of parties
  • Start date and workplace
  • Job description and duties
  • Wages and payment schedule
  • Working hours
  • Annual leave entitlement
  • Notice periods for termination
Probationary Period
Maximum duration
4 months
Notice during probation
15 calendar days

Working Hours

Standard Working Time

  • • 40 hours per week maximum (full-time) [TLS §43]
  • • 8 hours per day standard
  • • Rest break of at least 30 minutes after 6 hours [TLS §47]
  • • 11 consecutive hours rest between shifts [TLS §51]

Overtime

  • • Requires employee consent (cannot be forced) [TLS §44]
  • • Compensated with 1.5x pay OR equivalent time off
  • • Maximum 200 overtime hours per year
  • • Cannot exceed 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months

Night Work (22:00 - 06:00)

  • • 1.25x regular hourly rate minimum [TLS §45]
  • • Special health checks required
  • • Reduced maximum hours for regular night workers

Wages and Payment

Minimum Wage 2025

€886/month
For full-time work
€5.31/hour
Hourly rate

Payment Rules

  • • Must be paid at least once per month [TLS §33]
  • • Pay day must be specified in contract
  • • Payment to bank account (cash only by agreement)
  • • Late payment: employee can claim interest

Leave Entitlements

Annual Leave
  • • 28 calendar days per year (minimum) [TLS §55]
  • • Includes weekends, excludes public holidays
  • • Must take at least 14 consecutive days once per year
  • • Unused leave: carry forward or payout on termination
Sick Leave
  • • Days 1-3: unpaid (waiting period)
  • • Days 4-8: employer pays 70% of average wage [TLS §122]
  • • From day 9: Health Insurance Fund pays 70%
  • • Doctor's certificate required from day 1

Termination Rights

Notice Periods (Employer)

Less than 1 year employed15 days
1-5 years employed30 days
5-10 years employed60 days
Over 10 years employed90 days
[TLS §97]

Employee Resignation

Employee can always resign with 30 days notice. During probation: 15 days notice.[TLS §85]

Related Guides

Dismissal & Severance
Notice periods, severance pay, and unfair dismissal
Labor Disputes
How to resolve workplace conflicts through Töövaidluskomisjon
Official Sources

Sources