Informative Materials – Estonia

Contents hide
1 Informative Materials – Estonia
1.1 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Estonia
1.2.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.3 Employment conditions in Estonia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.3.1 Language requirements
1.4 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Estonia (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.5 Information on earning
1.6 Job offers
1.7 Some statistic data
1.8 Link to relevant websites in country
1.9 Useful materials
1.10 References

In Estonia, most of the care workers are family members. When it comes to professional care workers in the private sector, they are being trained by the company/agency they are working for (there is no information available regarding entry requirements).

However, companies or self-employed care workers need to apply for an activity license to the Estonian National Social Insurance Board. The following special care services requires activity license:

  • Daily life support services
  • Employment support services
  • Assisted living services
  • Community living services
  • 24-hour special care service, including 24-hour special care service for individuals with profound multiple disabilities, individuals with a mental disorder experiencing unstable remission, and individuals placed in a social welfare institution based on a court ruling.

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

The college offers vocational education for care workers, which typically lasts for 2 years and results in a degree at EQF Level 3. Below, you can find examples of such colleges:

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Estonia

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Recognition of professional qualification is conducted by the Ministry of Education and Research. All citizens of EU countries are eligible to be recognized in terms of their education and professional qualifications. However, work traditions and educational systems may differ in other member states, therefore it is mandatory to check if, and to what extent professional qualification is recognized locally.

Required information is given locally by the Estonian ENIC/NARIC

Employment conditions in Estonia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens see Living and working conditions: ESTONIA (europa.eu),

If the person comes from third country (not from EU, Switzerland or EEA) the following rules apply:

Language requirements

Starting from July 2023 all foreigners, who lived 5 consecutive years in Estonia, wishing to renew their temporary residence permits (TRP) for employment, need to provide evidence of proficiency in the Estonian language at the A2 level or higher.

Estonia also offers a Welcoming Programme which is a free language course to all foreigners who have legally resided in Estonia for less than 5 years. For more information please visit: Settleinestonia

Other than that it is highly recommended to have a good command of the Estonian language in order to provide services to other people in Estonia.

For Language schools please see below link: Language courses in Estonia | EURAXESS

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Estonia (as low-skilled foreigners)

No data on specific trainings

Information on earning

In 2019, the average monthly gross salary in the “human health and social work” sector was EUR 1,502, with an average hourly gross salary of EUR 8.36.

As for wages in the Personal and Household Services (PHS) sector, here are some examples: In 2016, personal assistants employed by municipalities who provide support to individuals with disabilities earned an average hourly gross wage of EUR 2.91 in Tartu and EUR 2.62 in Pärnu. According to a recent job offer for personal assistants in 2019, the hourly gross fee was set at EUR 3.61 (AD-PHS Project. (2021). Country Report: Estonia (pp. 9)

Job offers

https://caremate.ee/en

Some statistic data

People aged 65 and more constitute 19.8%  of the population.

Across 32 OECD countries, there is an average of five long-term care (LTC) workers per 100 individuals aged 65 and older, on average. Estonia has 5 LTC workers per 100 individuals in this age group.

Around 0.4% of individuals below the age of 65 and 2% of those aged 65 and above are residing in care institutions. Additionally, approximately 0.1% of individuals below 65 and 2.2% of individuals aged 65 and above receive assistance at home

Link to relevant websites in country

Recognition of foreign educational qualifications/experience: recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Estonia

Useful materials

Move to Estonia – Knowledge Base

References