How much may a minor work in Estonia?
Far less than most employers assume. A school-age worker of 13–14 or older may work, outside school hours during term, 2 hours a day and 12 hours a week, and during school holidays 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week. A 15–17-year-old no longer subject to compulsory schooling may work 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. A school-age minor may not work between 20:00 and 06:00, and may not do overtime. And employing a 13–15-year-old requires the written consent of one parent or guardian and of a labour inspector.
📋 The rules
- Term time: 2 h a day, 12 h a week
- Holidays: 7 h a day, 35 h a week
- Aged 15–17: 8 h and 40 h
- No work 20:00–06:00
- Consent of parent and inspector
🔓 Exceptions
- A school-age minor may not work overtime
- They may not work more than half of the school holiday
- Employment of a 7–12-year-old must be registered 10 working days in advance
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Paperwork is precisely where employers go wrong. Employing a 13–15-year-old requires the written consent both of one parent or guardian and of a labour inspector — the parent's consent alone is not enough. For a 7–12-year-old, the employment must be entered in the employment register at least ten working days before work begins, with information submitted through the Labour Inspectorate's self-service on working conditions, workplace, duties and compulsory schooling. A child of 13 or older may be entered in the register on the first working day. And the hours are strict: after 20:00 a school-age minor may not work, overtime is prohibited, and they may work at most half of the school holiday.
📎 Official sources
- Labour Inspectorate · Recruiting a minor →
- Tööelu portal · Recruitment of minors →
- Riigi Teataja · Employment Contracts Act →
❓ Frequently asked
How much may a school-age minor work?
Two hours a day and 12 hours a week outside school hours during term, and seven hours a day and 35 hours a week during school holidays. Overtime is prohibited.
How much may a 15–17-year-old work?
A 15–17-year-old no longer subject to compulsory schooling may work up to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week, which matches ordinary full-time hours.
Whose consent is needed?
Employing a 13–15-year-old requires the written consent of one parent or guardian and of a labour inspector. The parent's consent on its own is not sufficient.
May a minor work in the evening?
A school-age minor may not work between 20:00 and 06:00. They may also not work before the start of a school day.
How does registration work?
Employment of a 7–12-year-old must be entered in the register at least ten working days before work begins. A child of 13 or older may be entered on the first working day.
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