Guides to Estonian law for foreigners

These guides explain Estonian law in plain English for people and companies who deal with Estonia from abroad or who live and work here without speaking Estonian. Each guide is written by Ero Liivik, a lawyer (jurist) at Erovik Law Office in Tallinn, and is based on the Estonian legislation in force at the time of the last update.

Working in Estonia and employing staff

• Employment contracts in Estonia: what the contract must say, working time and fixed-term rules.
• Annual leave and holiday pay in Estonia: how much leave you get, how holiday pay is calculated and what happens to unused leave.
• Unpaid salary in Estonia: what to do when your employer does not pay, and how the Labour Dispute Committee works.
• Termination of employment in Estonia: notice periods, lawful grounds and the deadline for challenging a dismissal.
• Redundancy in Estonia: notice, redundancy compensation and the extra benefit from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
• Dismissing an employee in Estonia: the mistakes foreign employers make most often.
• Probation period in Estonia: how long it lasts and how a contract can be ended during it.

Debts, companies and court disputes

• How to collect a debt from an Estonian company: from a demand letter to a payment order, a court claim and the bailiff.
• Bailiffs and enforcement in Estonia: what to do if a bailiff contacts you, and how creditors enforce a judgment.
• Closing an Estonian company: liquidation, deletion from the register or bankruptcy, and the risks for board members.

Property and housing

• Buying property in Estonia: the checks to make, the notarised contract and when ownership passes.
• Hidden defects in property: your rights against the seller or builder after you find a defect.
• Renting an apartment in Estonia: the lease, the deposit, rent increases and ending the contract.

Family, inheritance and documents

• Divorce in Estonia: the options for foreigners and international couples, property and children.
• Inheriting property in Estonia: the notary’s role, deadlines and liability for the deceased’s debts.
• Making a will in Estonia: the forms of will, the compulsory portion and estates in more than one country.
• Power of attorney in Estonia: when you need one, when it must be notarised and how to use it from abroad.
• Using a notary in Estonia: which transactions need a notary and how a notary differs from a lawyer.

Need help with your own situation?

A guide cannot replace an assessment of your documents. If your matter is connected to Estonia, see how we work in debt collection, court disputes, employment law, real estate disputes and family and inheritance matters, check our fees and contact us with a short description of the issue.