Estonia’s home caregivers receive an average allowance of €61 a month
Friday 9th October 2026 on 11:15 in
Estonia
More than 8,000 people in Estonia received a caregiver allowance in December 2025, averaging €61.47 a month, ERR reported. A total of 10,180 people cared for someone at home during 2025, but the Ministry of Social Affairs does not track how many were relatives of the people they cared for.
For adult care recipients, monthly allowances range from €25 to €150 depending on the municipality. For a child with a disability, the amount ranges from €30 to €210. Municipalities set their own rates and eligibility conditions, which may take into account care needs, the severity of a disability, whether the caregiver works or studies, where both people live and what other services the recipient uses.
Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller said municipalities should base support on assessed needs and the caregiver’s actual workload, rather than only on a person’s address or formal status. Organising social assistance is a municipal responsibility, and local authorities can provide home care or other services to support people living at home, as well as pay caregiver allowances.
By comparison, round-the-clock general care in a nursing home costs an average of €50.37 per day. A total of 16,755 people used the service during 2025, with public funding covering an average of €23.51 per day, or about 47% of the cost.
Joller said the public sector’s share of nursing home care costs has risen since the care reform. Before the reform, people and their relatives covered about 80% of the cost; in 2025, their share averaged about 53%.
The ministry has not calculated how the cost of nursing home care compares with providing equivalent care at home. Joller said nursing home residents generally need round-the-clock help and supervision, while home care is usually not provided at the same level. The government has also not considered creating a unified compensation system for relatives who provide ongoing care.
Joller said the care reform increased funding for municipalities. This year, they are due to receive nearly €70 million through changes linked to the reform, to support both nursing home care and services that help people remain at home. An impact analysis of the reform is expected soon.