Lapsetoetus — universal benefit

Paid by Sotsiaalkindlustusamet to all residents:

• €80/month per child (1st and 2nd)
• €100/month per child from 3rd
• No means test
• Paid until age 16 (or 19 if studying)

Lasterikkapere toetus — large-family bonus

• 3 to 6 children: €450/month (family lump sum)
• 7+ children: €650/month (family lump sum)
• 2023 reform: gradual phase-out when eldest child turns 17 (instead of abrupt loss)
• Stackable with Lapsetoetus

Vanemahüvitis — parental benefit (one of Europe’s most generous)

Flagship of Estonian family policy:

• 100% of average salary over the last 12 months
• Cap: 3× national average wage (≈ €4,733/month in 2025)
• Floor: minimum wage (€820/month in 2025)
• Duration: 475 days (~18 months) at 100%
• 30 days reserved per parent (non-transferable)
• Paid by Sotsiaalkindlustusamet

Sünnitoetus — birth grant

Flat-rate grant on birth or adoption:

• €320 per child born
• No means test
• One-off payment

Maternity and paternity leave

Rasedus- ja sünnituspuhkus: 140 days (70 before + 70 after birth), at 100% of salary (paid by Haigekassa, health insurance fund).

Isapuhkus (paternity leave): 30 days at 100% of salary (max ~€4,700/month), to be taken from 30 days before birth until child turns 3.

Nurseries — Lasteaiad and lastesõimed

Public nurseries for 0–3 (sõimed) and kindergartens 3–7 (lasteaiad) run by municipalities:

• Tallinn: ~€70–100/month by income
• Tartu: ~€50–90/month
• Free for very low-income families
• National programme to reach 100% coverage by 2027

e-Estonia — 100% digital procedures

All family benefit applications are filed online via eesti.ee with ID-card / Mobile-ID authentication:

• Lapsetoetus application pre-filled at birth (auto-triggered)
• Real-time payment tracking
• No paper forms

Official sources

• Sotsiaalkindlustusamet — Lapsetoetus
• eesti.ee — Family benefits