Child support 2026: amount, calculation and claiming in Estonia

What does child support, or maintenance, mean?

Child support is assistance provided for a child’s maintenance. Both parents are obliged to contribute to meeting the child’s needs even when they live apart. Child support is generally paid monthly and helps cover costs related to, for example, the child’s food, housing, clothing, education, and extracurricular activities.

The right to child support belongs to the child. If the child is a minor, the claim is usually filed in court by the child’s legal representative on the child’s behalf. Parents may also agree on maintenance outside of court.

What is the minimum child support amount in 2026?

As of 1 April 2026, the base amount for calculating maintenance under the Family Law Act is 295,86 euros. To this is added 3% of Estonia’s average gross monthly salary for the previous calendar year, which, for 2026, is 62,76 euros. This does not mean 3% of a particular parent’s salary.

This is an example of a typical situation, not an amount that automatically applies to every child. The result may be affected, for example, by the large-family allowance, the child staying with the paying parent for an average of at least seven days per month, the maintenance of several children, and other circumstances taken into account under the law. The court may adjust the amount under the conditions prescribed by law.

For clarification, use the national child support calculator. It provides a starting point for the calculation, but does not replace a legal assessment of each family's circumstances.

Can child support be claimed retroactively?

Yes. Section 108 of the Family Law Act permits retroactive claims for maintenance for an unfulfilled maintenance obligation for up to one year before the maintenance claim is filed with the court. This does not mean that the court will automatically award the full amount for 12 months: the circumstances of the claim and whether the child’s maintenance was actually provided during that period are taken into account.

For example, if the claim is filed on 19 October 2026, the retroactive claim can cover at most the period starting on 19 October 2025. The claim must clearly state the period, the amount sought, and the reasons. Retroactive child support cannot be claimed through expedited payment order proceedings; court proceedings must be used for this purpose.

An agreement between the parents, family mediation or court?

Parents can agree on how to cover the child's expenses and arrange child support payments. The state family mediation service can help them discuss the child's place of residence, contact arrangements, and maintenance. A parental agreement approved by the Social Insurance Board may be an enforceable document, if it includes an enforceable obligation to pay child support.

If no agreement is reached, it is possible to turn to the court. A claim filed on the child’s behalf may seek both ongoing monthly child support and retroactive child support for up to one year.

What should you do if child support is not paid?

If there is an enforceable court decision or an agreement that meets the requirements, but child support remains unpaid, you can contact a bailiff. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to apply for state child support assistance of up to 200 euros per month per child during court, enforcement or bankruptcy proceedings. Child support assistance does not extinguish the debt owed by the parent required to pay child support.

The conditions and application procedure are published on the Sotsiaalkindlustusameti elatisabi lehel.

How long must child support be paid?

A parent’s maintenance obligation does not always end on the child’s 18th birthday. If the child is studying in circumstances provided for by law, they may be entitled to maintenance until they turn 21. The calculation of maintenance for an adult child who is studying differs from the statutory minimum formula for a minor child.

Frequently asked questions

Is the minimum child support 2026 318,62 euros per year?

318,62 euros is 1 April 2026 an example amount calculated using the usual formula for one child. The exact child support payable may be higher or lower depending on the circumstances specified by law.

Is 3% calculated based on the paying parent's salary?

No. The statutory minimum formula uses Estonia’s average gross monthly salary for the previous calendar year, not a particular parent’s earnings.

Can child support be claimed for the last 12 months?

Yes, in claim proceedings, child support for an unfulfilled maintenance obligation can be claimed for up to one year before the claim is filed. A retroactive claim cannot be filed in expedited payment order proceedings.

Can an agreement replace a court decision?

A notarized agreement that meets the requirements or an enforceable parenting agreement certified by the Social Insurance Board may allow child support to be enforced without a new court decision.

Ametlikud allikad

• Family Law Act, in particular § 101 and § 108 – Riigi Teataja
• Jurist Aitab: How is the amount of child support determined?
• Jurist Aitab: How to file a child support claim?
• Social Insurance Board: state family mediation
• Social Insurance Board: child support allowance

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This article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for individual legal advice. Artificial intelligence was used in preparing the article; the key legal information was checked against public sources as of 19.10.2026.