Dear Ms Heinonen,

Thank you for your clarification.

The assistance available to Estonian citizens returning to Estonia depends on each individuals circumstances and assessed needs. Deportation from Finland, another EU Member State or a third country does not, in itself, change a persons legal status or entitlements as an Estonian citizen. Support is provided through mainstream public services under the general legal framework, primarily the Social Welfare Act, and subject to eligibility conditions.

Responsibility for assessing social assistance needs and arranging the necessary support primarily rests with local municipalities.

In practice, a returning person would be encouraged to contact the municipality where they previously lived, where they have family members or an existing support network, or where they intend to settle. As mentioned before, under the Social Welfare Act, responsibility for regular social assistance generally lies with the municipality of registered residence, while emergency assistance must be arranged by the municipality where the person is physically present and requires assistance.

Where a return is carried out by the Finnish enforcement authorities, the practical arrangements, including the handover of the person, are coordinated with the receiving Estonian authorities. Any social assistance required following arrival is then assessed and arranged by the relevant local municipality. In cases of voluntary return, individuals would generally contact the municipality directly.

Regarding your specific questions:

1. 1. If a person has no accommodation or other place to stay, the local municipality can arrange emergency shelter services. Depending on the person's circumstances and assessed needs, other housing-related assistance may also be available.
2. 2. Individuals experiencing financial difficulties may apply for means based subsistence benefits. Municipalities may also provide additional financial assistance, including one-off payments, depending on the individual's needs and the municipality's applicable regulations.
3. 3. Emergency medical care is available to everyone in Estonia, regardless of health insurance status. Access to publicly funded non-emergency healthcare generally depends on the person's health insurance entitlement. Coverage may arise through employment, registration as unemployed with the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, receipt of a state pension or other grounds established by law.
4. 4. Employment services are provided by the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund. These include registration as unemployed, job-search assistance, career counselling and access to employment-related training. Vocational training opportunities depend on the person's educational background, previous work experience, individual needs and eligibility for the relevant services.
5. 5. Returning citizens can access the mainstream education system under the applicable admission requirements. Depending on their circumstances, adults may also be eligible for vocational, professional or Estonian language training through the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, Integration Foundation or other education and training providers.
6. 6. If an Estonian citizen in Finland does not have a valid travel document, they can contact the Estonian Embassy to apply for an Emergency Travel Document, which enables them to return to Estonia. Once in Estonia, applications for identity cards and passports can be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board. Where a person cannot afford the applicable state fee, the Police and Border Guard Board may, subject to the relevant legal conditions, reduce or waive the fee based on the person's financial circumstances or a reasoned request from a government authority or local municipality.

The main authorities are:

• * Local municipalities - social assistance, emergency accommodation, subsistence benefits and other needs based support.
• * Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund - employment services, career counselling and labour market training.
• * Estonian Health Insurance Fund - health insurance and access to publicly funded healthcare.
• * Police and Border Guard Board - identity documents.
• * Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Estonian diplomatic missions - consular assistance and emergency travel documents.
• * Social Insurance Board - state pensions and other social security benefits within its competence and subject to eligibility

The primary legal framework governing social assistance in Estonia is the Social Welfare Act

• * Social welfare services and support: https://www.sm.ee/lapsed-ja-hoolekanne/hoolekanne/kohaliku-omavalitsuse-sotsiaalteenused-ja-toetused
• * Subsistence benefits: https://www.sm.ee/toimetulekutoetus
• * Employment services: https://www.tootukassa.ee/en
• * Healthcare: https://tervisekassa.ee/en
• * Emergency travel documents: https://vm.ee/etd

I hope this overview is helpful. As noted at the outset, the assistance available depends on each individuals circumstances and is assessed on a case by case basis.

Best regards,

Nikita Koros
Service owner (migration)

Department of social and special Care

Social Insurance Board

___________________________

+ 372 53007363

www.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

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Vamos Helsinki

Kuortaneenkatu 1, 6. kerros

00520 Helsinki

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