Recent developments in Estonia
Local and international employment law is always changing. Thankfully, we keep a close eye on the latest developments, so you don’t have to. Read on to find out what’s been happening in Estonia.
Clarification on contractor classification (2025):
New government guidelines introduced in early 2025 clarify the criteria for distinguishing independent contractors from employees, emphasizing the level of control and economic dependence to reduce misclassification risks.
Equal pay rights for agency workers strengthened (2025):
Legislation enacted in mid-2025 guarantees agency workers equal pay and benefits comparable to permanent employees performing similar work, reinforcing pay transparency requirements.
Maximum assignment duration reduced (2025):
In 2025, the maximum duration for agency worker assignments was shortened from 24 to 18 months, encouraging the transition from temporary to permanent employment where applicable.
Increased reporting obligations for labour agencies (2025):
Starting in 2025, labour agencies must submit quarterly reports to the Labour Inspectorate detailing their use of independent contractors and agency workers, facilitating better regulatory oversight.
Mandatory contractor health and safety training (2025):
A new 2025 regulation requires clients to provide tailored health and safety training for independent contractors operating on-site, aligning safety standards with those applied to direct employees.
