You have the right to reception conditions that will provide a dignified standard of living.
The Reception Conditions Directive imposes an obligation on all Member States to ensure that the material reception conditions of asylum-seekers provide an adequate standard of living, which guarantees their subsistence and protects their physical and mental health.
As an asylum-seeker, you may move freely within the territory of Estonia, with some limitations. You are required to reside in the accommodation centre for applicants for international protection during the proceedings for international protection, located in Vao or Vägeva. You are free to move around during the day, but required to stay in the accommodation centre during night-time, unless you have permission from the accommodation centre to stay away for up to three nights at a time.
In addition, with the written permission of the Police and Border Guard Board, you may reside outside the accommodation centre:
- if your accommodation and support is provided by a person legally residing in Estonia
- you have sufficient financial resources to ensure your accommodation and support
- it is necessary for you to reside outside the accommodation centre in order to ensure your safety
important The provision of financial support to asylum-seekers is subject to actual residence in the reception centre. You will not receive financial support if you live away from the centre.
In some limited cases outlined in the law, your freedom of movement may be restricted by detention. Read about detention in the asylum context.
At the accommodation centre, applicants are allocated apartments and rooms taking into account family unity, gender, language and cultural concerns. Each apartment has its own kitchen available for applicants to cook. Applicants are responsible for buying their own food and hygienic supplies. The monthly financial allowance is set in accordance with the subsistence limit in Estonia. The purchase of clothes is compensated up to a fixed amount, based on receipts.
Asylum-seekers who are subject to the obligation to attend school are guaranteed access to education within three months of the submission of their application for international protection. In order to ensure access to education, children are entitled to preparatory training, including Estonian language training.
Asylum-seekers may work in Estonia if the decision on their application for international protection has not entered into force within six months of the submission of the application, due to reasons beyond the applicant’s control. There is no special work permit required and the date when the asylum-seeker is allowed to start working is marked on their asylum-seekers’ ID card.
The accommodation centre for applicants for international protection is responsible for arranging access to medical examinations and necessary health services, including mental health services, which are free for asylum-seekers.
The specific situation of vulnerable persons has to be taken into account when organising the reception of asylum-seekers. Vulnerable persons are considered to be:
- minors
- unaccompanied minors
- disabled people
- elderly people
- pregnant women
- single parents with minor children
- victims of human trafficking
- persons with serious illnesses
- persons with mental disorders
- persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.
Appropriate support must be provided to applicants with special reception needs during the whole asylum procedure.
If you believe that your right to certain reception conditions has been violated, you may submit a complaint to the Ministry of Social Affairs or the Chancellor of Justice. Read more about complaint mechanisms.