Employment Contract Estonia

Free employment contract template for use in Estonia, compliant with the Estonian Employment Contracts Act (Töölepingu seadus, TLS). Designed for Estonian employers (including e-Resident OÜs) hiring local or international employees. Download PDF and Word (DOCX) versions.

When You Need an Employment Contract in Estonia

Estonian law (TLS § 5) requires a written employment contract for any employment relationship. Even short-term work (over 2 weeks) must be documented in writing. Failure to provide one within 2 weeks of employment start exposes the employer to liability and fines.

Mandatory Terms (TLS § 6)

1) Employer name, registration code, address; 2) Employee name, ID code, residence; 3) Job title and description; 4) Workplace; 5) Salary amount and payment date; 6) Working hours (full-time = 40 h/week); 7) Annual leave (28 calendar days minimum); 8) Termination notice (30 days standard); 9) Trial period (up to 4 months); 10) Start date.

Special Terms for e-Resident OÜs

If you operate an Estonian OÜ as an e-Resident and hire remote workers abroad, the contract should specify: 1) Governing law (Estonian); 2) Jurisdiction (Estonian courts or arbitration); 3) Tax residence rules (employee may be subject to taxes in their country of residence — VTL § 27); 4) Currency (EUR by default); 5) Remote work conditions.

Differences from EU/US Templates

Do NOT use generic US "employment-at-will" templates — Estonia is NOT at-will. Estonia requires 30 days notice (TLS § 85), provides 28 days annual leave (mandatory), and limits probation to 4 months. EU directives apply but Estonia has stricter rules in some areas (e.g. fixed-term contracts are heavily restricted).

Applicable law

• TLS § 5 — Written form required
• TLS § 6 — Mandatory terms
• TLS § 69 — Annual leave 28 days
• TLS § 85 — Termination notice 30 days
• TLS § 86 — Trial period max 4 months

FAQ — Frequently asked questions