Request for support in the Cross-Border Data Collection Project

Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË – Tel. +32 22991111

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL

REGIONAL AND URBAN POLICY

Deputy Director-General for Programme Implementation

Brussels regio.d.2(2025)11102252 /CM

Ulla Saar

Deputy Secretary General for

Labour and Equality Policies

Ministry of Economic Affairs and

Communication

Suur-Ameerika 1

10122 Tallinn

Estonia

Subject: Request for support in the Cross-Border Data Collection Project

Dear Ms Saar,

The European Commission is strongly committed to improving the evidence base for

policies that strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion across the Union. Reliable

data on cross-border workers is essential to understand the functioning of our labour

markets and to design effective national and EU policies in this field.

To address this need, the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, in

cooperation with Eurostat, has launched a dedicated study on cross-border data collection.

The project, implemented by ÖIR GmbH together with Statistics Netherlands, INSEE and

Statistics Denmark, aims to establish a sustainable and standardised methodology for

collecting and analysing data on cross-border workers. Achieving this objective requires

the active participation of all National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) or authorities in charge

of collecting/processing the data concerned.

We understand that Statistics Estonia has already been contacted but has not yet been able

to cooperate in the project. We would like to encourage your kind support in facilitating

its involvement. At present, 20 out of the 26 countries covered by the study have already

submitted data or are actively preparing their contribution. Moreover, representatives from

22 EU countries participated in the workshop organised in Brussels on 11–12 September

2025, confirming both the interest in and feasibility of data provision.

Allow us to emphasise a few key points regarding this initiative. First, its relevance for the

entire EU: cross-border commuter data is vital for shaping economic and labour market

policies at national and EU level. A coordinated effort from all Member States will ensure

the development of a robust methodology, serving the long-term goal of continuous

production of official EU statistics in this area.

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Regarding the current status of the project, the majority of countries are already

contributing, demonstrating that the task is feasible and of shared interest. Your support at

a higher level can make the difference in enabling Statistics Estonia to join this collective

effort.

Finally, the data collection activity should be completed by the end of this year in order to

allow sufficient time for analysis. However, the exact timing of activities can be discussed

on bilateral basis to allow all NSI to take part in the project. To ease the process, the project

team provides a ready-to-use data template, methodological guidance based on previous

experience, and direct support to NSIs throughout the data production process.

Importantly, financial compensation is available to cover the additional effort required.

We would greatly value your assistance in ensuring the active participation of Statistics

Estonia in this important initiative. A coordinated and comprehensive contribution from

all Member States is essential to achieving results that are both meaningful and sustainable

serving the interest and benefit of all.

I thank you in advance for your support and remain at your disposal for any further

information.

Yours sincerely,

Hugo SOBRAL

Contacts:

MENASSEYRE, Clara, [email protected]

FERREIRA, Ricardo, [email protected]

Electronically signed on 17/10/2025 10:33 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121