Family and Children

HANDBOOKS

Estonia: State, Society and Language

Private and Public Services

Working and Labour Market

My Rights and Responsibilities

Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time

Higher Education and Research

Family and Children

Kindergarten and Schools

Residence and Citizenship

Business and Entrepreneurship

Introduction

1. Estonian Family

1.1. Who is the family?

1.2. Starting a family

1.3. Roles at home

1.4. Family therapy

1.5. Ending the marriage

1.6. Domestic violence

2. Spouses and Career

2.1. Estonian public employment service

2.2. County Development Centres

2.3. Programs that help to settle in Settle in Estonia programme Integration Foundation Consultation to relocated women

2.4. Pregnancy and children

2.5. Giving birth

2.6. Pregnancy and workplace

2.7. Raising children

2.8. Help your child to relocate

2.9. Financial support to families with children

Pregnancy and parental leave

Child benefits

4. Working rights and contracts

4.1. What is the legal basis for working in Estonia?

What applies to me as an EU citizen? What applies to me as a non-EU citizen?

Can I work with an European Union Blue Card?

Can I work in Estonia short-term?

Are there any exceptions?

When am I not allowed to work in Estonia?

3. Children's rights

3.1. Children's rights, duties and restrictions

3.2. Parents' rights, duties and restrictions

3.3. Safety: tips to share with children

3.4. Helping a child in need

Child in danger

Where to get help?

3.5. Children and bullying

4. Relocating to Estonia as a Family

4.1. EU citizens

4.2. Third-country national's family migration

4.3. Pets

4.4. Children and borders

4.5. Conditions

INTRODUCTION

Dear reader,

Thank you for participating in the “Settle in Estonia” programme. Our programme has been designed for foreigners who have decided to move to Estonia and our courses have been available to new arrivals since 2015. Whether your reason for choosing Estonia is based on your family connections, work, study or business interests, our programme is here to help you settle in and nd your feet in a new country.

The handbook you currently have in front of you is designed to act as a reference point you can use even after the course has nished. We hope it will be useful to you during your rst years in Estonia and will help you nd the correct and up-to-date information on the subject you are interested in. The handbook is updated on a regular basis to make sure the information contained in it is accurate. You can nd the details of the current issue on the back cover. When new versions become available, you can nd them on the website: issuu.com/settleinestonia

This handbook has been prepared to help familiarise newcomers to Estonia and provide with some of the cultural and legal aspects of family life in Estonia. It is not meant to say that the way a typical Estonian family is, is the only correct way or the best way, but it gives an insight to Estonian society and could be important for newcomers to Estonia to understand.

The handbook contains introductory practical information for those who relocate to Estonia with their family or for family reasons. You can nd the following topics here: information about the legal status of family members, family- and children-related bene ts, support services, including language training, legal assistance, relocation services, etc. The handbook also gives some advice on how to support children in the relocation process.

In addition to the topics mentioned above, there is also a section on questions related to the residence permits and crossing borders with children.

Tere tulemast Eestisse! Welcome to Estonia!

Head lugemist! Have a good read!

1. ESTONIAN FAMILY

Igal pool hea, kodus kõige parem

1.1. WHO IS THE FAMILY?

As elsewhere in the world, the family is an integral part of people's lives in Estonian society. In the days when Estonia was mostly a farming society, the extended family was the most common family structure. Several generations lived together and provided care for children and older adults in the family. In the 19th and 20th centuries, people began moving from the countryside to towns, and the family structure changed. Nowadays, mostly, when people refer to families, they mean a mother, a father and a child or children. This is called the "nuclear family". Other family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers) are considered "extended family". Typical Estonian nuclear family is small: 3-4 persons, so this usually means a mother, father and 1-2 children.

While the traditional family model with mom, dad and children is dominant in Estonia, there are also many other family units - from single parents and mixed families with stepchildren to families with partners of the same sex. Also, while by 'family' it is typically meant parents who live together with their children, childless married couples and single parents are also considered families. Marriage is not a prerequisite for starting a family. Approximately third of the couples in Estonia live together without legalising the arrangement with marriage; there are no social stigmas connected to that. For a couple without children, registering their cohabitation (i.e. living together as a family) might make a di erence in terms of mutual responsibilities, such as nances and inheritance. However, in terms of children's rights or other child-related matters, there is not much practical di erence between parents being married or not. In Estonia, more than half of children (58%) are born to parents who are not legally married.

On average, people in Estonia get married around their 30s, and the trend in recent decades has been that the age of marriage is increasing.

Young people start living separately from their parents mostly around 25 years of age; young couples usually live separately from their parents. The average age of getting the rst child in Estonia is around 27 years for women; however, there can be quite a large age di erence between parents when couples get kids.

The birth rate in Estonia

Historically, the number of births in Estonia was more than two children per woman - until the early 1990s. At the same time, the end of Soviet-era and re-independence (around late 1980s and early 1990s) produced a historical high in the number of births in Estonia. In the early 1990s, however, as the sense of insecurity deepened, and unemployment rose, the birth rate began to decline. Mainly young families were postponing the idea of having children: the priority was to have a job and secure the income.

Live births, 1989-2013

From 1999 the birth rate has gradually increased since the general economic situation improved. By 2016, the average birth rate was 1,6 children per woman. The decline in births has been a recurrent topic in political discussions and state strategies: population decline would mean di iculties in having an e icient economy; also, the goal of the state has been to ensure the preservation of the Estonian language and culture. In a country of only 1.3 million, this is a challenge. These concerns have led to Estonia to have one of the best family policies in the world, as noted in a UNICEF report in 2019. You can read about parental leave and related bene ts in Chapter 3.6.

The extended family meets at important holidays such as Christmas or jubilee celebrations, Estonian Independence Day (24th of February), and there are also regular extended family reunions. Many urban families also own country cottages, where they go on the weekends and during the holidays; in many cases, these country houses are where their extended families live.

Estonian family life

Estonian family life is more or less closed to strangers. Forming close friendships takes time. So if a colleague invites you home, seize the opportunity!

What to do and what not to do when visiting an Estonian family? It is nice if you bring some sweets or snacks: not a lot, a small box of chocolate will be enough. And in most homes, you are expected to take the shoes o when you enter the house!

A family is a basic unit in Estonia. In particular, society relies on families to have children and raise them properly to be good citizens. Children rely on their parents to care for them and protect them from harm.

While some decades ago marriages mostly happened inside the same ethnic group/language group, this trend has been reversing and there are more marriages where one of the partners is from other country or another language group. Women are more into intermarriages: approximately 2/3 of those who get a spouse from a di erent ethnolinguistic group, are women.

1.2. STARTING A FAMILY

Dating practices in Estonia are somewhat similar to those throughout Europe. During high school, teenagers will begin to socialise in group activities with peers from school or those living in the same neighbourhood; young people also meet through social activities such as a sports club or bars. In Estonia, the partner is chosen by the person independently. For example, the family has no role in choosing partners; arranged marriages are not a cultural custom and are disapproved of. The only exception is when teenagers under 18 are getting married: 15–17-year-old minors may marry, but only if a court grants them permission.

One does not have to be young to establish a family. It is socially accepted to marry or remarry at any age. Not-so-young people meet each other through their joint networks, at events, during work arrangements, also dating apps are used, but mostly not with the intention to establish a family.

In 2019, the youngest persons who were married were 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old boy. The oldest persons married were the 82-year-old woman and 86-year-old man.

Engagement and wedding practices vary; usually, the marriage ceremony entails a civil registration, but some couples prefer a religious ceremony. If young people were living with their parents before getting together, becoming a couple means that they move out of their parental home to begin a "new family". Their involvement with extended family depends on their personal values, their personal choices and their relationship with their family of origin.

Marriage dynamics: a detour to history

Until the 20th century, the marriages lasted for the lifetime and the family models remained stable. There were two reasons for this: the woman was dependent on the man and would not have the means to raise the child alone. Also, the social norms disapproved divorces. When women got better access to the labour market, family life started changing.

Already in the rst half of the 20th century, divorces in Estonia were slightly higher than average in Europe. The women were more independent and there were more working women. This also continued during the Soviet period.

Since the 1990ies, the family patterns started changing. The traditional family became less important, and more divorces and remarriages emerged. It has become more and more usual that when establishing a relationship, one of the partners has a child from a previous relationship. The divorce rate in Estonia is 40%.

1.3. ROLES AT HOME

Estonian families generally do not have live-in domestic workers. A few wealthy families with small children might have au pairs, and it is not uncommon to have a weekly cleaning person, but on a day-to-day basis, household chores are done by the members of the family.

Regarding roles in the family, there have been quite a few changes in the way in which men and women are expected to behave. While traditionally it used to be men who are responsible for earning the income and women who are responsible for keeping the house and raising the children, nowadays Estonian couples mostly share household responsibilities. While couples can, of course, agree to any household arrangement that suits them, there is no longer the assumption that the man is the main head of the household and woman is the person who is responsible for all works at home.

In Estonia, both parents have the right to take parental leave. When kids get around 3-4 years, both parents usually go to work and children attend the kindergarten. Most children are put in daycare centres at about three years old.

1.4. FAMILY THERAPY

It can happen to anyone that the family life suddenly does not seem to work out. To analyse the reasons and overcome the issues, you can also seek help. Family therapy in Estonia is accepted as an evidence-based psychotherapy method. The Estonian Family Therapy Association unites around 200 family therapists (EE: ), who have completed a family psychotherapist training cycle (3+2 years). The conditions of service need to be checked with the provider. While therapy in many cases is provided for a fee, it might be possible to ask the family doctor for a referral. See more at pereterapeudid.ee or in the handbook on health-care.

1.5. ENDING

THE MARRIAGE

Sometimes the married couple wants to end the marriage. If the divorce agreement is mutual, then the divorce can be registered at the vital statistics o ices (EE: ) or by the notary. In case of a dispute, the procedure is handled by the court. You can read more here: eesti.ee/en/family/marriage/divorcing-a-marriage

Free legal advice can be asked from state-supported legal service hugo.legal/en/free-legal-counselling that supports people whose salary is low or average with advice on a variety of legal issues.

Often, when couples separate, there is a great deal of tension and even anger. If the partners have children, it is important to ensure that the harm to children caused by the separation or divorce is kept to a minimum. Please see the possible advice or counselling options in the handbook on rights and responsibilities.

The custody of the children is often an issue on which parents disagree. The court believes that unless otherwise indicated, it is best to have both parents responsible for the children's well-being. This can be done through "joint custody" where both parents are involved in important decisions, regardless of where the children live. However, if this cannot work, one parent may get "sole custody" of the children and be able to make all the decisions regarding their care. The decision is made in the best interests of the child. Regardless of who has custody, the other parent mostly can have visiting rights.

1.6. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Crises and disputes can occur in any family. But if the level of disputes gets out of hand and especially if arguments end in violence, you should seek professional help.

Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence) is considered to be all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or between former or current spouses or partners. It does not matter whether the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim.

There are shelters for those in need, for example, if the person fears intimate partner violence to happen. There are currently 14 women's shelters in Estonia that can o er the following to women having experienced violence:

A safe shelter after violence event or in case of danger of violence, and a place where to calm down and rest

A temporary living place if needed

Psychological counselling and crisis support

Help in communication with the authorities (e.g. the police, the social department)

Information about the legal aspects of the problem (e.g. court, divorce, child protection) and sometimes also legal counselling

Support in starting a new life

Possibility to always return to the support centre to discuss the next steps together.

The support centres have around-the-clock contact telephones; you can also call there if you do need advice only, not a temporary place to stay. The arrival in the shelter is agreed over the phone because the addresses are not public for safety reasons. It is also possible to come to the shelter with children.

You can nd contacts at Estonian Women's Shelters Union naisteliin.ee

More information and help in the case of domestic violence and abuse, please read the handbook on my rights and responsibilities.

2. SPOUSES AND CAREER

Leaving home to follow your spouse or signi cant other to a foreign country can be a challenging step. You may have left a job you are used to, or the environment where you know how to look for a job.

Enne töö, siis pidu

First work, then party

Estonia provides opportunities for entering the job market in speci c industries and rather good options to start your own business. Also, the access to good quality Internet makes it easier to do some work tasks for the companies in other countries. However, it still might take time and e ort to rearrange your career and nd work.

Valdur Mikita Writer and semiotician

In every decent Estonian family, at least one person is a little towards the forest.

At the same time, getting out to work can be one of the best ways to adapt to Estonian society. In addition to providing income, working helps nd new acquaintances, get a glimpse into the daily life of the local people, and feel meaningful. A dominant majority of the working-age population in Estonia are employed and working is valued in the society; the unemployment rate was about 5,6% as for 2022 (7,3% Q3 2023).

2.1. ESTONIAN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

The main institution in Estonia that deals with employment is the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (EE: ). The aim of Töötukassa is to increase the level of employment and minimise the duration of unemployment. Töötukassa also deals with questions regarding unemployment insurance and payments.

Töötukassa provides services to both job seekers and employers, prioritising those most vulnerable on the labour market (young people, refugees etc). The main aim is to provide relevant information on how to nd a suitable job and support. Töötukassa does not supply the actual job seeker with a job and does not refer the person to a certain employer. It is up to the jobseeker to be proactive and make use of information and advice. However, Töötukassa also supports some additional services such as possibilities for additional courses and trainings that will likely increase the competitiveness of the unemployed person.

Töötukassa is not only for people who are out of a job. There are also services for people who struggle with their work and need support to keep them active in the labour market. This service is called rehabilitation service. Töötukassa makes an evaluation of the situation and if the person is deemed eligible, the person can access di erent services, for example, physiotherapist or psychologist.

Töötukassa also runs EURES (European Employment Services) network that can be useful to check since it contains some helpful information on di erent topics related to job migration: eures.ee Töötukassa also provides specialised career counselling for international spouses to assist the newly arrived spouses to Estonia in potentially entering the Estonian labour market.

What is career counselling and how does it help?

Analysis of personality traits to help you be more aware of your strengths and better understand your development needs.

Identifying necessary skills for work (including Estonian language and other professional skills), employment or profession choices, including entrepreneurship opportunities.

Identifying learning needs based on the skills and knowledge required for the local labour market.

Assistance in acquiring suitable learning opportunities (in-service training, additional education) including the introduction of services and bene ts of the Public Employment Service.

You can read more about Töötukassa services in the handbook on working and labour market or visit the website at tootukassa.ee

2.2. COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CENTRES

In Estonia, a rather popular choice is to be able to provide service. It means that in some professions, instead of getting hired by someone else, the person provides the service and issues invoices. The bene ts are that hiring a person might be a more serious commitment, and many organisations would rather start slow: with buying the service and seeing how does it go. This can work in many areas of life, from building to psychotherapy.

The Network of County Development Centres supports the development of businesses with consultations and trainings. They counsel both those who are only starting, and also those who are already operating businesses. Establishment of a company, compiling a business plan, development of business, nances consultancy, getting advice from mentors, participating in trainings – there are di erent possibilities to look for. Consultations are available in Estonian, Russian and English and are free of charge. Read more at arenduskeskused.ee

There are also other institutions and organisations that provide programs for migrants who would like to enter the labour market in Estonia. The programs might be seasonal or project-based, so the best advice is to search on the internet, ask other foreigners for advice and enquire di erent organisations who work with foreigners. Work in Estonia is one of such organisations. More info at workinestonia.com

2.3. PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO SETTLE IN

2.3.1.

Settle in Estonia programme

Settle in Estonia programme is meant to provide initial language courses and orientation sessions to newly-arrived foreigners who have been living in Estonia for up to 5 years. The programme, which comprises various training courses, gives an overview of how the state of Estonia and its societies function and how daily life is organised. It can be useful for all foreigners who would like to settle in Estonia and feel more at home here. This handbook is part of the background materials that Settle in Estonia program issues. More information on the program can be found in the handbook on public and private services. Read also more on the program's website: settleinestonia.ee

Sometimes, the importance of proactively growing the network in a new country is underestimated. Networking is a crucial aspect when it comes to nding a job in Estonia, so try and grow your network in a variety of ways. In addition to joining diverse events and programs, it is always a good idea to look for volunteering options since this could give you increased access to local networks. Read more about volunteering in the handbook on free time and networking.

2.3.2. Integration Foundation

Integration Foundation implements the state's integration strategy and either carries out or procures di erent activities to support integration. Most of the activities revolve around language learning support such as, for example, free language courses. Another considerable share of activities deals with supporting returnees – i.e. people from Estonia who have been living abroad for a while. However, there are also camps for young people, preparatory courses for the constitution and citizenship act exam which is prerequisite to acquiring citizenship and procures programs that aim at introducing people with migration background to di erent layers of Estonian culture. Integration Foundation also has a Counselling Centre and its counselling web where one can get information on certain topics. More about Integration Foundation can be found here: integratsioon.ee

2.3.3. Consultation to relocated women

Eluliin means Lifeline. Eluliin is a non-pro t organisation that runs several crisis helplines to provide psychological and emotional support to di erent target groups, both young and old. One of the Eluliin programs is assisting international women: International Women's Assistance (IWA) Centre provides services to women who have come to Estonia and have ended up in a situation that is di icult to handle.

IWA Centre's helpline 15333 is operated on Mondays and o ers basic information in several languages, including English, Finnish, German and Russian.

IWA Centre might also be able to set the woman in need in touch with a contact person, to provide anonymous and con dential support to women adjusting to the Estonian cultural space. Contact individuals are from di erent cultural and language backgrounds. More information at eluliin.ee/iwa

Eluliin, the organisation that carries out the activities, is also recruiting volunteers, so if interested, you can contact the organisation and ask if they would like to have a volunteer. More information at eluliin.ee

2.4. PREGNANCY AND CHILDREN

Whether longed for or entirely unplanned, pregnancy and childbirth can create quite a few changes in one's life. In this chapter, you will nd out the preliminary information about pregnancy, about the rights you have, and what issues you need to consider.

Con rming the pregnancy

If a woman suspects that she is pregnant, the most common way to have initial con rmation is to buy a pregnancy test kit from a pharmacy and take a pregnancy test at home. If the test result is positive and the woman is pregnant, you should visit a gynaecologist. While visiting most special doctors requires a referral from a family doctor, visiting gynaecologist does not need a referral. When making an appointment with the gynaecologist, tell that you are pregnant: it decreases the time you have to wait long for an appointment. The gynaecologist will take tests to make sure you are pregnant. It is possible to book an appointment online at terviseportaal.ee.

Pregnancy and medical care

If you are pregnant and decide to have the child, then congratulations with the pregnancy! Pregnant woman in Estonia has the right to medical care, so one of the rst things to do then is to visit the gynaecologist to have pregnancy o icially con rmed. Your doctor will examine you, and throughout the pregnancy keep an eye on you to ensure that both you and your baby are well, and that your baby is growing and developing as it should. There is no patient fee or a minimal symbolic fee for gynaecologist visits if you have Estonian state/national health insurance tervisekassa.ee/en/people/ health-insurance/pregnant-women.

Suppose you have private insurance, and you have to pay anyway and claim it from your insurance company. In that case, you can consider a private gynaecological clinic if your insurance allows so - there are many of them in Estonia.

If you would like to know more about the childbirth process and prepare for it, you can attend a birth preparation course, the costs of which are covered by public health insurance. Your doctor or midwife can tell you where to nd such a course. In such classes, you often learn breathing exercises and relaxation techniques and you can ask all your questions regarding the childbirth process. The courses are visited both by pregnant women as well as for would-be fathers (family education classes, EE: ). The courses can be found at the major hospitals in Estonia. They are provided mostly in Estonian and sometimes in Russian. For more information, see for example the websites of kliinikum.ee/en/clinics-and-services/clinics/ womens-clinic, synnitusmaja.ee or search on the internet for "women's clinic".

Undesirable pregnancy

If pregnant women do not want to give birth, the pregnancy can be terminated. Termination can only happen if the pregnancy has lasted less than 12 weeks; later termination can only be done if there are serious health concerns. In the latter case, special approval needs to be given. Termination of pregnancy, if no health concerns, is a procedure for which the person needs to pay. When having state insurance, abortion is partly covered. With private insurance, it is necessary to check with the provider. In case of a desire to give up a child for adoption after birth, the doctor can arrange for a meeting with a social worker. There are also ways of deferring the decision to give up a child, such as by placing the child with a foster family. To give up a child for adoption, a petition must be written renouncing parental rights. A mother who gives up her child for adoption will not have any access to information about his or her future – not even the family into which the child is placed or events in his or her life.

Circumcision

Circumcision of women, mostly known as female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice that can result in serious health consequences to women. When getting a baby, you should also know that circumcision of girls is illegal in Estonia. Some of the health problems associated with FGM and faced by most women arise during pregnancy and when giving birth, including increased risk of mortality. If you are circumcised, it is essential to mention to your doctor on the rst visit.

2.5. GIVING BIRTH

The pregnant woman has the right to choose whether to give birth in a hospital or at home.

There are municipal hospitals and private hospitals. Giving birth at a municipal hospital is free of charge. In hospitals, doctors are on duty around the clock (24/7). At all hospitals, it is possible to invite a support person along to the childbirth: this might increase the feeling of security. The majority of women come with a support person, most often a father, but it could also be a relative or a friend. Hospitals do have special and single family-rooms as a paid service, so the father also has the opportunity to stay with the family for the rst days at the hospital. In all general hospital rooms in maternity wards, the parents can remain with the children.

When talking about giving birth at home, it needs to be di erentiated between unplanned birth at home (i.e. too fast delivery where the woman does not manage to reach the hospital) and planned birth at home.

Giving planned birth at home is allowed from 2014 and is regulated by the law. The preconditions are that the pregnancy is developing without complications, the mother is in good health and that the home is not further away from the closest hospital than 30km. When giving birth at home, there must be professional support and guidance. The planned delivery at home can be either assisted by a midwife or it can also be unassisted. Only licensed midwives may help with assisted birth at home. If a woman makes a conscious decision to give birth at home deliberately, she also bears responsibility for her health and the health of the child.

Naming the child

In Estonia, there is a law on what name can be given to a child. The law states that "a non-Estonian given name must be in use in another state as a given name." So, if you want to name your child who is born in Estonia, just be prepared to answer the question on given names.

However, do not get discouraged and know that the law states that exceptions may be made if, due to their citizenship, family relations or other circumstances, a child (or the parents) have a personal connection to the foreign-language name tradition. So if you might have a dispute, explain that it is a child name in your home country.

See more and search for "Names Act" at the website of riigiteataja.ee

2.6. PREGNANCY AND WORKPLACE

If you get pregnant while having employment, and decide to become a parent, it is wise to tell your boss about your pregnancy, so that he/she has enough time to nd a substitute for you. Furthermore, you then have some rights in the workplace.

In Estonia, most pregnant women work and many return to work while still breastfeeding. Mostly it does not require any changes, but at some jobs, there are dangers (e.g. work with harmful chemicals or other risks) that can a ect pregnancy, and then the employer has to evaluate risks and if needed, change the tasks in a way that serves to eliminate the risks. The employer has to let the pregnant woman visit the gynaecologist, and this time is not retracted from work time. There are also some limitations as to ring the pregnant woman. There are also certain conditions that a new mom is entitled to, for example, breastfeeding mom has the right to get additional breaks to feed the child (every 3 hours, at least 30 minutes), until the child is 1,5 years old. You can read more about some of the general principles and conditions here eesti.ee/en/family/registering-a-pregnancy-andnotifying-the-employer/health-insurance-during-pregnancy and more in detail at the website of tooelu.ee/en/62/working-duringpregnancy

2.7. RAISING CHILDREN

Parenting can be a complicated process since it entails many responsibilities. Some families may have nancial challenges; some parents were themselves exposed to less-than-good parenting practices and therefore, do not know how to parent the children.

Parents have the responsibility to provide for their children. This includes ensuring that they have the necessities of life, food, medical care, nurturing and support. Parents must ensure that children are enrolled in and attend school. Parents must also ensure that children live in a safe environment.

When providing a safe environment, parents must ensure that their children are not exposed to violence at home. That means that parents are not allowed to harm children – for example, it is illegal to hit the child; it is also unlawful to neglect the child. These kinds of behaviours may result in a report to police or to the child welfare authorities, who must then investigate. Parents are also not allowed to harm one another physically.

Artur Alliksaar Poet

Ja sünnitakse, kuigi tuleb surra, ja armutakse pettumuste trotsiks.

Mõnd ilu, hämmastavalt peent ja kurba hing leiab, ilma et ta üldse otsiks.

(Four Etudes poem)

The Estonian children are often encouraged to be independent and self-reliant as they grow up. Parents participate in their children's school lives and leisure activities. Some schools can expect a lot of parental support for kids, especially in primary school, including help with homework, and might not immediately realise that a migrant parent might not have skills or knowledge for this, for example, language-wise. It is therefore wise to check up with the school every now and then on how your child is proceeding, what are his or her strengths and what are the weaknesses.

Coming to a new country with a child, it is but natural that one wants to meet other people in the same situation. Maybe your child just wants to play with peers, maybe you want to ask for advice. Since in Estonia, the use of the internet and social media is widespread, one of the ways to get in touch with other parents is Facebook, the most used social media platform as of 2023.

A couple of groups that can be useful for parents include the following ones, but as groups emerge and disappear, search and update yourself, and ask in other (expat) forums.

In addition to Facebook groups, in most cities, there are di erent groups for mothers and babies. For example, search “beebiring” or “beebikool”. The baby groups are in Estonian mostly, but you might still decide to try it out. It might be a great way to nd other parents in the area and get closer to the local community and culture.

In most cities, parents feel their children are safe, so they let them play outdoors unsupervised, and they can ride their bike or take the bus to school.

Finding your network of other parents

Moms of Tallinn (in English) facebook.com/groups/momsoftallinn

Мамочки и их жизнь (in Russian) facebook.com/groups/Mamochi.estonia

Families with kids (in English): facebook.com/groups/417568415398708

Мамы Тарту (in Russian): facebook.com/groups/308121865978202

Мамы Нарвы (in Russian) facebook.com/groups/1085041751528254

TALLINN

TARTU

NARVA

2.8. HELP YOUR CHILD TO RELOCATE

Kids thrive on familiarity and routines, so to learn that they are moving can be overwhelming for any child. Often, kids are not a part of the decision to move and might not understand it. The child has to say goodbye to friends, teachers, relatives and the familiar comfort of the community he or she is used to. Di iculty with transitions can manifest in many ways depending on the child and the setting. It can take the form of resistance, avoidance, distraction, negotiation or even a breakdown. Some of these reactions are the result of kids being overwhelmed by their emotions. Some reactions are coming from the hope to delay or avoid the transition. Your support and guidance are crucial. Children in kindergarten or rst grade may be very vulnerable to a family move because developmentally they are just in the process of separating from their parents; the relocation can interfere with that normal process of separation by causing them to return to a more dependent relationship with their parents.

By preparing for the move in advance and talking with children about it, parents can help their kids cope with the challenges of relocation. When preparing to relocation, if possible, start already early in the process to talk about the move to give your child time to get used to the idea if possible. Try to give them as much information about the move as soon as possible. Answer questions completely and truthfully and be receptive to both positive and negative reactions. Let your child know that you will help them through the process. Younger kids bene t from getting involved in a positive way before a relocation; let your child help out with packing or encourage her to choose the colour of her new room. Involving children in the move in this way has the added bene t of making them feel in control at a time when events in their lives can seem out of their hands. It helps a lot if you can be optimistic about the change, and you can stress the bene ts of the relocation. However, do not instil unrealistic expectations that might not realise and do not dismiss the possible challenges of the process. With the support of the Institute of Health Development, a special Internet portal tarkvanem.ee was created to develop parenting skills. Information support and expert advice will help you to nd the right path.

When you get to a new home, try to establish a routine for your kids, it makes them feel more secure. Filling the new house with familiar objects can also help kids feel more comfortable after a relocation, especially true when a family is relocating to a very di erent environment.

On general legal rules while on the move with children, see chapter 5 in this handbook.

2.9. FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

Both the state and the local municipalities provide several general services from rehabilitation to subsistence bene ts. For more information, please see the handbook on services. Among all services o ered in Estonia, some might be useful to know if you do have or are planning to have children.

Estonian parents have access to seven di erent kinds of child-related leave and eight kinds of bene ts or allowances funded either from the state budget or via the Health Insurance Fund. The goal is to facilitate the combination of the parent's work and family life in such a manner that the family would not have to make signi cant changes in their life due to having a child and could focus more on the child. Few of these options and support are covered here in this handbook, for more detailed information please see the website of the of Ministry of Social A airs at sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/ en/family-bene ts-and-allowances/family-bene ts-overview/ child-and-family-bene ts-rates or "Family" section at the website of eesti.ee

2.9.1. Pregnancy and parental leave

On April 1, 2022, the reform of the parental bene t system came into force. Maternity leave has been renamed to maternity bene t and maternity leave.

All expectant mothers are entitled to maternity bene t. If, earlier, unemployed mothers were not entitled to maternity bene t, then from 1 April 2022, they will also be entitled to receive the new maternity bene t.

An employed mother can use maternity bene t up to 70 calendar days before the child’s estimated date of birth and 30 calendar days after the child’s estimated date of birth. A mother who is not in an employment relationship before the child’s estimated date of birth, receives maternity bene t for 30 consecutive calendar days from the child’s date of birth. Until now, employed mothers noti ed their gynecologist or midwife when they wanted to take pregnancy and maternity leave from work and the bene t was paid by the Health Insurance Fund.

From 1 April 2022, the Social Insurance Board started to send maternity bene t and the accompanying maternity leave o ers to mothers. Health Insurance Fund sends a maternity bene t o er to an employed mother 80 days prior to the child’s estimated date of birth. Fathers are entitled to a

bene t of 30 calendar days which can be used up to 30 calendar days before the estimated date of birth of the child until the child attains 3 years of age. Paternity bene t can be used as a single consecutive period or be planned by days.

Fathers will always receive the paternity bene t o er in the self-service portal after the birth of the child, if they have not planned the paternity bene t before the birth of the child or have done so in part. The o er is sent when the child is registered in the population register.

Paternity bene t does not provide state health insurance. Whereas maternity bene t and paternity bene t are individual rights of parents, shared parental bene t is a right shared between the parents, i.e., it is up to the parents to decide who will start receiving the bene t. Shared parental bene t o ers more exibility to families – in particular, fathers now also have the right to use shared parental bene t from the time the child reaches 31 days of age. Under the previous system, fathers had the right to it when the child attained 71 days of age. This change is important as it allows fathers to take the leave earlier and be more involved in the child’s upbringing. The use of shared parental bene t can also be planned by days. The recipient of shared parental bene t can be changed starting from the following month.

In addition, parents are also entitled to use shared parental bene t together for up to 60 calendar days. It is permitted to work and earn income while receiving shared parental bene t. Shared parental bene t also includes state health and pension insurance. The parents will be able to use their parental bene ts on a daily basis and plan on which days of the month they want to use the bene t.

The length of the period of shared parental bene t depends on whether the mother was employed prior to the birth of the child or not. If the mother of the child was employed prior to the birth of the child, the duration of shared parental bene t is generally 475 calendar days (the number of days may be higher if the mother used less days of maternity bene t). If the mother did not have an employment relationship prior to the birth of the child, the duration of shared parental bene t to be divided between the parents is 515 calendar days.

After the child has been born, you as a mother (or father) are eligible for the parental leave. The mother or father of a child under three years of age has the right to parental leave. Parental leave can be taken in one part, or the

parent can go to work for a while and then take parental leave again before the child turns three years of age. Those entitled to parental leave can, by mutual agreement, change the one taking the parental leave. The employer can formalise parental leave.

The parental leave comes together with the parental bene t. To the parent taking care of a child is paid a parental bene t until the child attains 18 months of age. The amount of the bene t is 100% of the average income for one calendar year. All permanent residents of Estonia, or foreigners who are living in Estonia and have a temporary residence permit or a temporary right of residence, are eligible to apply for the parental bene t. See more on parental bene t conditions, payments and more at the websites of sm.ee or eesti.ee

While it is predominantly women who take parental leave, in Estonia, bringing up children is considered to be the responsibility and right of both mothers and fathers. There are also many mothers go out to work and an increasing number of fathers who decide to stay at home and look after their child for a while after birth.

There is also an additional allowance to fathers on parental leave, to promote the greater involvement of fathers in the raising of their children and thereby also alleviating the burden of care placed upon mothers.

2.9.2. Child bene ts

If you do have a temporary or permanent residence permit, and you have a child or children aged up to 19 years, you are entitled to family bene ts. The Estonian family bene t system is based on the principle of universality, meaning that each child is valuable and has the right to state support regardless of the income of the child's parents. Receiving the family benets does not require any speci c applications – if you have registered the birth of your child in the Population Register, within a week there will be the bene ts o er in the self-service portal of Social Insurance Board: iseteenindus.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee To access the portal, you will need to verify yourself with, e.g. ID-card or Smart-ID. You can also approach the Social Insurance Board by e-mail at info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

There are following types of support to parents of a child:

Childbirth allowance: one-time allowance that is paid out upon the birth of the child. If you have registered the birth of your child in the Population Register, you will nd a bene t o er in the self-service portal of Social Insurance Board within a week. If not, you have to apply for the bene t before your child turns 6 months old.

Child allowance is paid to children until they turn 19 years of age. The amount of child allowance depends on the number of children in the family.

Single parent's child allowance is a small additional support given to a parent if the child's birth certi cate or the Population Register lack data about the child's father, or if the child's other parent has o icially been declared a fugitive. If this is the case, the bene t o er can be found in the self-service portal of Social Insurance Board after registering the birth of the child. If not, you have to apply for the bene t (contact the Board through the self-service portal or by e-mail).

3. CHILDREN RIGHTS

In Estonia, a child is a person under 18 years of age. Everyone who lives in Estonia does have rights, also children. If the rights are violated, the state intervenes.

Laps on kodu peegel

Child is a mirror of home

3.1. CHILDREN RIGHTS, DUTIES AND RESTRICTIONS

Rights of a child are human rights. Human rights, as stated in the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of a Child, are rights which apply to everyone, irrespective of their age, gender, nationality, parents, religion or other characteristics. Therefore, all children in Estonia, despite the di erences, have equal rights and almost the same amount of rights that adults have.

Children rights are:

The right to life and development

The right to protection, including protection from violence

The right of health protection, including protection from drugs

The right to privacy

The right to parental care by both parents

The right to protection from unsuitable work

The right to social protection

The right to a name and citizenship

The right to mother tongue and culture

Right to education

Right to freely express one's opinion

The right to have time for play and rest

Children also have responsibilities, like adult members of society. A child's rights end where the rights of another child or adult begin. This means that rights have limits and a child must consider the rights of other children and adults. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand, and it is important that parents support children in understanding these rights and responsibilites. For example, a child has the right to education, but at the same time his/her duty is to attend school.

If the child is below 18 years of age, the following restrictions apply:

Adult supervision at late times outside

During school time, children under 16 years of age cannot be outside without adult supervision between 23:00-06:00. This period lasts from September, 1st to the 31st of May. During summertime, i.e. from 1st of June to 31st of August, children under 16 should not be outside without adult supervision between 00:00-05:00. 16-17 years old children can be outside as long as they want provided that their parents agree on it.

Alcohol, tobacco and drugs

Children under 18 years of age cannot buy or possess alcoholic beverages or tobacco products; if they do, the state intervenes. Children, including youngsters under 16 years of age, also cannot purchase energy drinks. Possession and use of narcotic and psychotropic substances are prohibited in Estonia, and a teenager aged 14 or older can be punished with a ne or arrest for violating the prohibitions.

In Estonia, the age of criminal responsibility is 14 years.

3.2. PARENTS RIGHTS, DUTIES AND RESTRICTIONS

Since it can be di icult or impossible for children to protect their rights, adults have to help them. Therefore, parents' duties and restrictions are a re ection of children rights. Children need to be protected from mental and physical violence, injustice, neglect, abuse and other dangers. The adults also have to create an environment that allows a child to develop their talents and interests.

For instance, the child has the right to protection, which means that a parent must look after the child and keep the child safe from any dangers. Children also have the right to play and rest, which means that parents need to make sure that there is time for that.

Generally, the government has no reason to be involved in families. However, some issues will cause the authorities to get involved, such as domestic violence, neglect or child abuse. O ences and crimes against children are punishable by law.

In Estonia, relations between children and parents are regulated by the Constitution, the Family Act and Child Protection Act.

Estonian Union for Child Welfare (lastekaitseliit.ee) runs a legal counselling service for families on following topics: family law; children rights; parents obligations towards their child; right and duties in di erent family structures; single parent's rights, custody questions, adoption.

Lawyers in Estonian and Russian languages provide the services. Still, while it might not be mentioned on the union's website, it is often possible to also get a consultation in English.

Contacts can be found on Estonian Union for Child Welfare website lastekaitseliit.ee

3.3. SAFETY: TIPS TO SHARE WITH CHILDREN

Please keep in mind the following tips for you and your children's security and discuss with them the following, from the perspective of the child:

Always tell your parents where you are going and how they can contact you.

When outside at night or in the dark, try to move around with a group of friends, and think it through whether you feel safe moving alone.

Do not get into a stranger's or casual acquaintance's car.

If you have met a casual acquaintance on the Internet, It is best to be somewhat cautious and not go out with them. If you decide to go, better not to go alone; also tell your parents, siblings or friends about

this meeting, giving them the details on where are you going and who is the person. Additional information can be found on the website: targaltinternetis.ee/en/.

If someone o ers you drugs or unknown substances or liquids, refuse.

If you become a victim of bullying, threats or crime (date violence, school violence, cyberbullying etc.) or you know someone who is being bullied, make sure to tell a trustworthy person about it (your parents, siblings, friends, class teacher, psychologist, etc.). Do that even if the one who bullies is your relative or acquaintance.

The single emergency call number in Estonia is 112

The number of children helpline is 116111 or lasteabi.ee

3.4. HELPING A CHILD IN NEED

A child requires help if he or she feels unsafe, or when his or her development and welfare are not ensured. The child's need for help may stem from a possible abuse (including violence, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect, i.e. the carelessness), but also his or her social or educational special needs, the family's coping di iculties, etc.

Activities to help and protect a child include child protection and networking in its broadest sense, including social services and bene ts as well as cooperation between the child, his or her family and the network's members having contact with the child. Help for the child must be guided by his or her individual needs and interests, i.e. being in the best interests of the child.

Child protection is the primary responsibility of local governments. Cities and municipalities either have child protection o icials or social workers that also specialise in child protection. The citizens also have to inform the government about a neglected or abused child: in this case, one should contact the local government o ice. Please always inform the rural municipality or city government about a child who needs help – if possible, to a child protection worker directly. Also, when in doubt, you can always consult with local child protection o icer (EE: ) or the social worker (EE: ); their contacts are available at city's or municipality's webpage.

There is also children helpline 116111 that can be contacted if you see a child in need of assistance (see more on that below). Calling the child helpline 116111 is free and calls can be made from your mobile phone even you are out of credit. By calling this number, everyone can quickly report a child in need of assistance; the information received is then passed on to the appropriate professionals, and the children and those connected to the child are o ered initial social counselling and, if necessary, crisis counselling. It is also possible to submit the report via Skype to the user Lasteabi_116111. You can also ask for advice in writing, either via e-mail or the webchat on the website of lasteabi.ee

3.4.1. A child in danger

A child is in danger if his or her life and health needs protection. The risk to a child's life and health may arise from the external environment, but also from the actions of others or the child's own behaviour. In case of danger, the child's need for help is so acute that it requires immediate intervention to prevent or end the threat. It may be necessary to take the child quickly to safe conditions to eliminate the danger. If the child is endangered by his or her family and there is no other way to eliminate the danger, the child may need to be separated from the family. Suspicion of an o ence against a child (including physical or sexual violence; negligence endangering life and health; etc.) is grounds for initiating a criminal or misdemeanour proceeding.

Please always inform the police (112) or children helpline 116111 or the local municipality or city government about a child in danger! In Estonia, this is socially and culturally accepted even if you do not know the parents or the child (for example in instances, when you hear ght or troubles through the wall of your apartment from your neighbouring apartment). You can also remain anonymous while informing the police or the others of this kind of issues.

Legally, all people are also obliged to inform about a child in need of help, be they random passers-by, neighbours, relatives, parents of playmates, etc. A person who notices a child in need of help but does not inform anyone can be responsible for that child's lack of help and protection. Failing to report cannot be justi ed by being not sure if the child requires help or by fearing that informing may cast an accusation on the family or shame on the child. The importance of the information and the need or intervention will be determined by relevant authorities.

Examples of cases where informing is necessary:

The police: "The child wandered in the city at midnight. He said he was afraid to go home because his parents get very angry."

Playmate's parent: "The child dropped a cup to the oor at our place. The cup went to pieces, I startled and turned at her quickly. She raised her arms and cried out: 'Please don't hit me!'."

Neighbour: "There are often sounds of things being thrown, yells and crying heard from the neighbouring apartment in evenings. The family has children, too."

Physician: "The child has visited me with traumas several times. I doubt the traumas are from his own adventures."

Lasteabi.ee – if you have a problem you may call or write, telephone 116111, lasteabi.ee

Children's Ombudsman (EE: ) should be contacted if a person under the age of 18 has received poor or unfair treatment by an authority and, in your estimation, a violation of her or his rights may be involved. See more at oiguskantsler.ee

Web constables If you want to ask the police for advice, you have questions about laws, or you have become a victim of abuse or bullying, you can turn to web constables (EE: ). You can write to them in English or Russian, whether at the website of politsei.ee/en/web-constables or in major social media channels (in FB, for instance just search for "veebipolitsei" and you'll nd a couple of them, like Jana Frolova or Andero Sepp. You can also contact youth police o icers (EE: , whose contacts you'll nd at the website of politsei.ee).

Estonian Union for Child Welfare (EE: ) can be approached to get advice on who can help you if you have a problem, phone 6311128 e-mail liit@lastekaitseliit.ee

3.4.2. Where to get help?

There is a child protection o icial (EE: ) or social worker (EE: ) in each county to whom you may turn if you have a problem. Contact information is available at the website of the local municipality of your residence or on support and services please see the website of the Social Insurance Board at sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/abivajav-laps-jataiskasvanu/laste-ja-perede-abistamine (in Estonian)

Children's shelters

In Estonia, there are safety centres (or safety shelters) that are intended for children needing a temporary home because they are in danger, alone with their problems, and need help and protection. The safety shelter provides the person in need with a temporary place to stay, safe environment and basic items like the possibility to take a shower, do the laundry, have a place where the child can play or study, food and if needed, also clothes. Mostly, safety shelters also accept parent(s) to come with children, if it is safe for the child. Information about safety shelters can be obtained from the municipality.

Children shelters in bigger cities

Tallinn

Tallinna Laste Turvakeskus; addres: Nõmme tee 99; phone (24 h): 6608060 or 53404676, web (in Estonian, English and Russian): lasteturva.ee

Tallinna lastekodu, address: Vana-Pärnu mnt. 9a, phone: 6776480 web (in Estonian and Russian): tallinnalastekodu.ee

Tartu

Tartu Laste Turvakodu, address: Tiigi 55; phone: 736 1641, Facebook: facebook.com/tartulasteturvakodu/

Narva

Narva Laste Varjupaik, address: M. Maslovi 3a; phone: 356 9524, web (in Estonian and Russian): nstk.ee/et/teenused/turvakodu/turvakoduteenus-lastele

Pärnu

Pärnu Laste ja Noorte Tugikeskus, address: Oja 97; phone: 5552 2003, web (in Estonian only): tugikeskus.parnu.ee

3.5. CHILDREN AND BULLYING

When one person makes another person deliberately and repeatedly feel unwell, it is called bullying. The person who bullies and the person who is bullied are in some way unequal (e.g. stronger, more popular, older) making it di icult for the victim to defend oneself.

Estonian schools and kindergartens that any kind of bullying is wrong, and there are programs in Estonian schools that are meant to prevent and minimise bullying, it may still happen that a child becomes a victim of bullying or bullies someone (about 20% of children experience some kind of bullying monthly). Estonian children use smartphones and social media a lot, so parents should also keep in mind the possibility of online bullying between children. For more information on cyberbullying (what are the risks, what you can do as a parent etc), see laps.targaltinternetis.ee/en/

Also, not all sta at schools is knowledgeable about what to call bullying and how to deal with it.

Bullying can be visible (physical, verbal) or hidden (exclusion, spreading rumours or cyberbullying), which is more di icult to notice.

The world is plagued by the fact that everyone tends to change it. Changing the world is aggression. I just want to change myself. If anyone likes what I have done, it is already enough.

If a child's behaviour changes, and especially if the child is more and more reluctant to play with other children or go to school, consider if the child is bullied.

Preventing bullying and violence are in focus in Estonian schools and kindergartens. The most usual programs are in kindergartens (kiusamisestvabaks.ee) and schools (data.kivaprogram.net/parents/).

Arvo Pärt Composer

Bystanders have a crucial role in stopping bullying: adults have to step in; children if they do not dare to intervene, can ask help from an adult.

In the case of school bullying, the child or parent should rst contact the child's class teacher to discuss the problems and try to nd a solution together. If needed, the school's support specialists can be involved as well as the school psychologist or any other relevant specialist. If the school has no support specialist, you can turn to the local municipalities' child protection worker or social pedagogue or local Rajaleidja centre in your county (rajaleidja.ee). Rajaleidja centres have appropriately trained specialists like psychologists and social pedagogues and they consult and support parents, teachers and specialists.

Additionally, psychological counselling and support are provided by:

Child Aid lasteabi.ee

Tallinn Child Support Centre lastetugi.ee

Tallinn Family Centre pk.ee

Tartu Child Support Centre tugikeskus.org.ee

Tartu Educational Support Centre tugiteenused.tartu.ee

Family Centre "Sina ja mina" ("You and Me") sinamina.ee

NGO Peaasi promotes mental health in Estonia, especially among young people - peaasi.ee

While some of these organisations might not mark "English" as their work language, it is still worth to try to contact them, if the need arises. Nowadays, knowledge of English is pretty food among Estonians, so it is likely that it is possible to get advice in English, too.

Bullying may also take place outside the school, during free time in clubs, di erent organisations and societies, working places etc. As mentioned above, it is crucial to notice bullying and react. Seek help from contacts as mentioned earlier, if needed.

4. RELOCATING TO ESTONIA AS A FAMILY

4.1. EU

CITIZENS

Hooletus ees, õnnetus taga

Negligence in front, accident behind

Citizens of the European Union and their family members who are also citizens of the European Union can acquire a temporary right of residence in Estonia. For this, EU citizens must register their residence in the population register within three months of moving to Estonia.

Registration of residence is usually organised by the Municipality Government, i.e. the city or municipality you live in. To register your place of living as an EU-citizen you must submit either a rental agreement or written approval by the owner of your accommodation. It is also acceptable if the owner of your accommodation comes along and con rms that you live there. The right of temporary residence is granted for a period of up to ve years. It is automatically extended for another ve years if the person's residence continues to be registered in Estonia.

On more detailed information on the right of residence or residence permits, please see the handbook on residence and citizenship.

What if you are an EU citizen but your family member is not?

Your family member can apply for the temporary residence with an EU citizen:

Who is working as an employed or self-employed person and has su icient funds for the subsistence of himself/herself and his/her family members and who has medical insurance

Who studies in Estonia and who has enough funds for the subsistence of himself/herself and his/her family members and who has medical insurance

If you are an EU citizen who temporarily resides in Estonia and you have a child younger than 1 year, then your child is also entitled to the temporary residence.

4.2. THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONAL'S FAMILY MIGRATION

Nearly one-third of the foreigners come to Estonia due to family migration. While relocation is relatively easy for EU citizens (see below summary on EU citizens permits), third-country citizens (i.e. non-EU/non-EEA) can apply for a residence permit to:

Settle with your spouse

As a minor child to settle with a parent

As an adult child to settle with a parent, if the child is unable to cope independently due to health reasons or disability

As a ward to settle with a guardian

As a parent or grandparent to settle with a child or grand-child respectively

The settling of third-country citizens (non-EU/non-EEA) in Estonia is regulated by the Aliens Act (i.e. the foreigners' law; EE: ), and the migration of European Union citizens and their family members is regulated by the Citizen of the European Union Act. The applications for a residence permit are processed by the Police and Border Guard Board (hereinafter the PPA).

You can call or e-mail PPA migration service and get more information on what is needed or book a time and visit PPA. In some cities, there are migration advisors. If you are located in these cities, you can book a consultation with them. Since migration advisors specialise in third-country nationals, you'll get a more thorough consultation regarding your situation and options, and it might ultimately shorten the overall time of procedures. See more at politsei.ee or in the handbook of services or residence.

Outside the country, one needs to turn to Estonia's foreign embassies.

4.3. PETS

About 54% of Estonian residents are pet owners. Each pet owner is obliged to register the pet in the Pet Register (EE: Lemmikloomaregister, LLR) of local governments: llr.ee/eng

In addition to registration and feeding, the pet needs constant care, attention, nancial resources, medical examinations and treatment, if necessary.

The Veterinary Law requires that pets living in Estonia be vaccinated against rabies. The Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association (EE: Eesti Väikeloomaarstide Selts, EVS) recommends that dogs and cats be vaccinated against other common diseases in addition to the minimum required by law. Most vaccines can be obtained in the form of a complex vaccine, i.e. with a single injection, the animal gains immunity against several diseases. You need to know that it is also recommended to vaccinate animals when keeping them indoors, as people inevitably bring pathogens with them from the street or from the entrance. If the owner of the dog wants to participate in exhibitions or other events of the Estonian Kennel Union (EE: Eesti Kennelliit, EKL), then the EKL vaccination rules apply (in addition to the rabies vaccination, vaccination against other diseases is also required). The rules for vaccination of hunting dogs are given in the Hunting Act.

In addition to the general laws, every pet owner must comply with the current rules for the maintenance of cats and dogs established by local government. These rules may vary from municipality to municipality. Pet excrement must be collected after pets in every municipality, and most municipalities also require dogs and cats to be registered and microchipped (exact information can be found on the local government website (EE: linnaosavalitsus)). More information about local government system is available here: n.ee/en/node/197#tasks-of-local-autho. Local governments are also involved in trapping and keeping stray animals. In the event of the death of a pet, information about its burial, cremation or removal of the corpse can also be obtained from local government.

If you notice an animal with signs of abuse, you can contact the Agriculture and Food Board (pta.agri.ee/en), which has the right to check how the animal is treated and in what conditions it is kept. If necessary, the department can issue an order to the owner, impose a ne on him or go to court to deprive the owner of the right to keep a pet. If you suspect animal cruelty, you can consult the Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals (EE: Eesti Loomakaitse Selts, ELS), although it is not a state institution, it advises those in need of help and cooperates with the state system.

Animals that are raised for pro t will not be considered pets as of 2021. All those who keep animals at home, in a shelter, zoo or other designated place for the purpose of procreation and trade are entrepreneurs and must register their business. For this purpose, a register of farm animals has been created on the PRIA website, which contains all types of activities subject to registration: pria.ee/en.

The register operating within the PRIA portal is controlled by the Department of Agriculture and Food (PTA), while the Tax and Customs Board (MTA) will monitor the economic side of the issue.

Important Links:

Pet Register (EE: Lemmikloomaregister, LLR): llr.ee

Estonian Pet Register (EE: Eesti Lemmikloomaregister): lemmikloomaregister.ee

Travelling with a pet: pta.agri.ee/en/animals/travelling-pet

Travelling with pets in the EU: europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/ index_en.htm

Tallinn portal for pet lovers: tallinn.ee/en/pets

Estonian Kennel Union: kennelliit.ee/en

Dog vaccination schedule: koer.ee/Kutsikate_ja_koerte_vaktsineerimisest.html

Animal shelters: varjupaik.ee/en

4.4. CHILDREN AND BORDERS

Children's rights on the international scale are regulated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, EU law and courts (Court of Justice of the European Union, European Court of Human Rights). Below are some useful aspects and information to consider regarding children and borders.

Estonian law does not require speci c authorisations when travelling to Estonia with the child. In the case of minor children travelling with an accompanying person, it will be veri ed that the accompanying person is their parental caregiver. However, it is wise, when moving in and out of Estonia, to have the consent of the other parent or legal representative which can be expressed as a signed statement. You can nd an example of the consent here: reisitargalt.vm.ee/lastega-reisimine/

While Estonia might not require additional documents (other than child's ID and visa or other proof for legality of entering the country), other countries that you might be transiting or entering, may ask for additional documents, parents' consent being the most usual of them.

If the child travels with other people than his or her parents, the notarised (i.e. legally proved) consent from the parents is required. When travelling out of Estonia, notarised (i.e. legally proved) consent from the other parent is recommended to have.

For more detailed information, please visit politsei.ee

If one parent wishes to prevent the child from being taken to another country and the parents do not reach an agreement, the problem must be resolved in a court of law. In a later court dispute over custody rights, taking a child out of the country without other parent's consent, this may not only be grounds for loss of visitation rights but in some instances, it could mean a legal penalty for the parents.

Are you an international couple with children and are now separating? You may wish to return to your home country and take your child with you. However, if you do so without the consent of the other parent or the court, you may be breaking the law.

Suppose a child under the age of 16 has been taken to a foreign country or kept there without the permission of another parent (or a person with custody of the child). In that case, this may result in judicial proceedings against the parent based on the International Child Abduction Convention.

See more: e-justice.europa.eu/content_parental_child_abduction-309en.do?init=true

If the child has already been taken to a foreign country, contact the Estonian Ministry of Justice (just.ee or via e-mail at central.authority@just.ee). The Ministry of Justice will start by determining the location of the child and assist in nding a solution.

There are also specialists in Child protection Department at Social Insurance Board (EE: ), so you can also approach the Social Insurance Board.

4.5. CONDITIONS TO ACQUIRE A RESIDENCE PERMIT

To apply for a residence permit to settle with a family member, speci c criteria must be met:

After you receive your residence permit, you must register your place of residence in the Population Register

In most cases, you must have su icient income to make sure that you can cover subsistence costs for yourself and the family members who want to move to Estonia. The size of income is based on the house hold, i.e. total income is divided between the number of all family members. Be prepared to prove your income for the last 6 months prior to applying and check with Police and Border Guard Board (here after: PPA) what are the current minimum requirements

You must have a medical insurance policy. Check with PPA what are the current he requirements regarding the medical insurance

You can nd more information on both temporary residence permits as well as permanent residence permits, including extending or renewing your residency, in the handbook on residence and citizenship.

LIST OF REFERENCES

O icial guides and gateways:

Destination Estonia – Relocation Guide: Compilation of practical info for new arrivals in Estonia

workinestonia.com/coming-to-estonia/relocation-guide/ E-Estonia Portal: eesti.ee – gateway to all government information and public e-services.

Settle in Estonia: settleinestonia.ee – Your guide to settling in Estonia

Roadmap for coming to Estonia: euraxess.ee

Visit Estonia: visitestonia.com - gateway to travel and sights in Estonia.

Study in Estonia: studyinestonia.ee gateway to higher education in Estonia

Research in Estonia: researchinestonia.eu — information and news about research activities in Estonia.

Found in Estonia: foundinestonia.ee — bi-weekly podcast sharing stories of people who have moved to Estonia.

Ministries and other institutions:

Ministry of Education and Research: hm.ee/en – education, research and Estonian language.

Ministry of Social A airs: sm.ee/en – health care, labour, social services. Ministry of Culture: kul.ee/en — information about the state’s culture, sports, arts and heritage conservation activities.

Ministry of Justice: just.ee/en – legal and criminal policy of the state. Ministry of the Interior: siseministeerium.ee/en – citizenship, migration, identi cation documents and internal security.

Ministry of Foreign A airs: vm.ee/en – security, business diplomacy and human rights.

Estonian Ministry of Economic A airs and Communications: mkm.ee — economy, entrepreneurship, business-academic cooperation.

The Integration Foundation: integratsioon.ee/en – information about adaptation in Estonia, adaptation programme Settle in Estonia, Estonian language courses, citizenship and Estonian Language houses etc.

Estonian Institute: estinst.ee/en/ – information about Estonian society and culture.

EURES: eures.ee/en – pan-European network for job-seekers.

Unemployment Fund: tootukassa.ee/eng – o icial website of Eesti Töötukassa, which administers the social insurance provisions related to unemployment, and organises labour market services.

Pension Centre: pensionikeskus.ee- information about the Estonian pension system.

Police and Border Guard Board: politsei.ee/en – legal basis for staying in Estonia, identity documents, citizenship.

Police and Border Guard Board Migration Advisors: politsei.ee/en/migration-consultants – free legal advice by PBGB personal advisors about di erent legal grounds to live in Estonia and the necessary documentation.

Emergency contacts: 112 - 24/7 emergency telephone number for ambulance, police and rescue workers.

1247 – State helpline for trustworthy governmental information, state measures on coronavirus, psychological rst aid to all in need.

116 006 – Victim support helpline assistance to people who have fallen victim to an o ence, negligence, or mistreatment or experienced physical, psychological, economic, or sexual violence.

1220 – The Medical Counselling Advice Line o ers medical advice (calling from abroad, dial +372 630 4107). 24/7 in Estonian and Russian, between 15.00-17.00 in English.

Family and Children - Settle in Estonia programme