In Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, the Social Insurance Board and the Department of Social Welfare and Health Care will end their cooperation at the beginning of May, which had previously allowed for the reimbursement of housing costs and translation services for Ukrainian war refugees who received temporary protection.
Previously, refugees could receive a one-time rent compensation to help them find permanent housing in Estonia.
According to Liis Paloots, head of the migration department at the Social Insurance Board, “the support is not disappearing, but becoming more targeted and sustainable.” She added, “We are gradually moving to the regular system, where support is primarily provided to those applying for international or temporary protection, who lack a support network in Estonia and live in state accommodation centers based on a referral from the Police and Border Guard Board while their application is under review.”
The Social Insurance Board is also considering ending similar agreements with other local governments to ensure a uniform national approach and a return to the standard system.
The agency emphasized that this change will also ensure that support for Ukrainian war refugees does not depend on where they live, but rather on whether they need help relocating from a state accommodation center.
From June 2022 to April 2025, nearly 11,000 households received this compensation. The maximum amount per household was up to €1,200.
