Losing your job in Estonia 2026: benefits and first steps
Losing a job is stressful, but the Estonian system cushions the blow quite well - if you know what to do and when. From 2026 the benefit system became simpler. Here is a clear action plan with all the figures.
Updated: 2026-07-08
Step one: register as unemployed
Register in the Töötukassa e-service as soon as possible, ideally on your first day of unemployment - the benefit is paid from the registration day, not retroactively. Registration also secures health insurance: it continues 31 days after employment ends and resumes while you are registered.
How large is the benefit in 2026?
The income-based unemployment insurance benefit is 60% of your average wage for the first 100 days and 40% from day 101. The basis is 9 months of pay (excluding the last 3 months) divided by 270.
- 2026 minimum: 14.77 € per calendar day, about 443 € per month.
- Maximum for the first 100 days: 101.27 € per day, up to 3139 € per month (31 days).
- Maximum from day 101: 67.51 € per day.
- The benefit is gross - 22% income tax is withheld.
How long is it paid?
The duration depends on your insurance record: under 5 years gives 180 days, 5-10 years 270 days, and over 10 years 360 days of benefit.
The big 2026 change: a benefit for voluntary leavers too
Previously, leaving voluntarily or by mutual agreement meant no insurance benefit. From 2026, voluntary leavers get the base-rate benefit - 14.77 € per day - if they worked at least 8 of the last 36 months. Redundancy still qualifies for the income-based benefit.
Calculate your benefit in advance
Our unemployment benefit calculator shows your daily and monthly benefit in both phases and the total for the whole period - so you know what income to expect before making decisions.