Eesti.ee certificates: how to conveniently obtain an official certificate of income and pensionable service from home
A certificate of income or employment history means an official description or extract of your financial or employment data—for example, when you need to prove how long you have worked or what your income details are. Such a certificate may be required, for example:
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an employer or government authority (for example, social insurance)
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when taking out a loan or entering into a lease agreement
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when applying for a pension or benefit
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for other official purposes.
In Estonia, access to much of this data is available through state information portals, and ordering a certificate via e-services is convenient, digital and often faster. For example, Maksu‑ ja Tolliamet explains that:
“The fastest, most convenient and easiest way to obtain a certificate is to prepare it yourself in the e-MTA e-services environment of Maksu- ja Tolliamet.” Maksu- ja Tolliamet
Also: “There is no need to visit other government authorities to obtain certificates, as the data is already in the registers.” Maksu- ja Tolliamet
Therefore, if you need, for example, a certificate of service or income, a sensible route is through the eesti.ee portal or by following the instructions provided there.
Step-by-step guide: How to order a certificate of income or service through the eesti.ee portal
Below is a practical process to follow:
1. Log in to the eesti.ee portal
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Go to the eesti.ee website and log in using your means of identification (e.g. ID card, Mobile-ID, Smart-ID).
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Make sure that your details (personal identification code, email address, etc.) are correct.
2. Find the appropriate service or government authority
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In the menu, find the service related to a “certificate of income” or “certificate of length of service.” For example, if it concerns taxes or income data, you should proceed via Maksu‑ ja Tolliamet (“Applying for certificates”). Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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If this concerns your employment or pensionable service, you may need to use a service provided by Sotsiaalkindlustusamet. For example, see their information about periods of service: Sotsiaalkindlustusamet
3. Select the certificate type and period
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Before ordering, check exactly which certificate you need: a certificate of income, residency status, average salary, or length of service. For example, Maksu- ja Tolliamet indicates that certificates may include a “certificate of declared income,” an “average salary certificate,” etc. Maksu- ja Tolliamet+1
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Specify the period for which you need the certificate: start date and end date. For example, data for the last 3 months or the last 12 months may be required. Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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Select a language (Estonian, English). Maksu- ja Tolliamet
4. Submit the application
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If the service allows it, you can generate the certificate yourself (for example, in the e-MTA environment) – with a digital stamp. Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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If you cannot prepare it yourself, complete the online form or request a certificate at a service office. Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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Indicate whether you wish to receive the certificate by email, via e-services, or on paper.
5. Wait and download or receive the certificate
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Once the application has been submitted, the certificate is usually issued within the number of working days indicated in the institution's information (e.g. 5 working days). Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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The certificate may be in DigiDoc format, with a digital signature or digital seal confirming its authenticity. Maksu- ja Tolliamet
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Download it or submit it to the desired institution.
6. Save or submit the certificate
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Keep the certificate secure, either electronically or on paper.
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If you submit it to another authority, make sure they accept digitally signed certificates. Sometimes a paper version may be required. For example, several other services emphasize the need for a paper document. siseministeerium.ee
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Check that the certificate has a date and validity period, and that the personal data is correct.
Tips and notes
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Make sure that your personal data in the portal is up to date (e.g. other contact information). If the data is outdated, problems may arise. For example, the importance of accurate data is emphasised in the case of registry information. Sotsiaalkindlustusamet
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If the certificate will be used abroad or for a foreign authority, check in advance whether a digital version is accepted or whether you need a paper certificate. siseministeerium.ee
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If the period is missing from the system or the data does not reflect the actual circumstances (for example, length of service before 1999), you may need to attach or submit additional documents. Sotsiaalkindlustusamet+1
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If the process is complicated or you need assistance, you can call or contact the customer support of the relevant authority (for example, Sotsiaalkindlustusamet information line at +372 612 1360). Sotsiaalkindlustusamet
A separate certificate of employment history: what to consider
If you need a certificate specifically of your employment or pension record, here is some additional information.
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Sotsiaalkindlustusamet explains that pensionable service is divided into two parts: a) pension-qualifying employment history before 31.12.1998 and b) pension insurance period from 01.01.1999. Sotsiaalkindlustusamet
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If there is a period during which you worked for which data is missing or needs to be confirmed (e.g. old employment contracts, studies, parental leave, etc.), you may need to submit additional documents. Sotsiaalkindlustusamet
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The e-portal has a calculator and services that allow you to check your pensionable service. eesti.ee+1
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If you need the certificate, for example, for a foreign authority, find out which period of service must be documented.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
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Wrong period selected – check the dates carefully.
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Missing or outdated personal data in the portal.
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The digital version is not accepted by the institution – if you need it on paper.
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The data is not in the register or does not reflect reality – first check your register (e.g. the employment register, tax register).
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No digital signature or digital seal certifications are present – make sure that the certificate is authentic.
Summary
Ordering an income or employment history certificate through the eesti.ee portal is a modern and convenient option that saves time and allows you to document your information digitally. Keep in mind that:
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select the correct service and type of certificate;
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set the period and language selection correctly;
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log in using identity verification;
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check that the data is up to date;
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keep the certificate and, if necessary, forward it to the institution/requesting party.
🧾 Part 2: How to order an employment and pension record certificate on the eesti.ee portal
What are employment and pension records?
Employment and pension record means the sum of all your periods of employment, service or study that entitle you to a pension or other benefits.
This is important:
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when calculating pension entitlement and the pension amount,
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when determining unemployment benefits or social benefits,
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sometimes also for foreign authorities if the certificate needs to be submitted.
Employment and pension history data in Estonia is managed by the Sotsiaalkindlustusamet, whose database is connected to other registers.
The easiest way to check your employment history and order a certificate is through the state portal eesti.ee.
How to order a certificate of employment or pensionable service via eesti.ee
1. Log in to the eesti.ee portal
Go to www.eesti.ee.
Select “Log in” and use your ID card, Mobile-ID or Smart-ID.
This ensures that your personal data and employment record information are displayed correctly automatically.
2. Find the service “Pensions and benefits”
On the portal's homepage, select the section “Pensions, social benefits and allowances” → “Pension entitlement and employment record”.
There you can:
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view your employment and pension records,
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download the digital certificate,
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if desired, submit an application to add additional information.
👉 You can find the direct link here:
eesti.ee/pensii-socialnye-uslugi-ja-posobia/pensia/pensionnyj-stazh
3. Check the data before ordering the certificate
Employment history is divided into two categories:
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before 1999 – periods of employment and service verified on the basis of an employment record book or archival data;
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since 1999 – the data is automatically recorded in the Employment Register and tax register.
If any period is missing, you can submit supporting documents to Sotsiaalkindlustusamet (for example, an employment contract, employment record book, or education or service records).
4. Submit an application or download the certificate
If all the information is correct, you can select the following in the portal:
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“Generate certificate” – the system creates a digitally signed document (employment record certificate);
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“Submit an application” – if you need to add or correct information.
You can immediately download the certificate in .bdoc or .pdf format, certified with a digital seal.
A digital certificate is legally equivalent to a paper certificate.
5. If you need a paper copy
If the certificate needs to be submitted, for example, to a foreign authority, request a paper and signed versionfrom Sotsiaalkindlustusamet:
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by email (info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee),
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by phone at +372 612 1360,
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or at the nearest service office.
Common mistakes when ordering an employment and pension record certificate
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No earlier data is available (before 1999) – you must add the required documents yourself.
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Incorrect period selected – check which period you need the certificate for.
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Incorrect file format – some institutions require .pdf or .bdoc separately.
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Missing digital seal – make sure the certificate has been officially certified.
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No apostille for use abroad – if the certificate is submitted outside Estonia, an apostille may be required.
Tips for checking employment and pensionable service
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Check your employment periods in the Töötamise registris (TÖR).
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If an employer has not entered the information, contact them or submit supporting documentation to Sotsiaalkindlustusamet.
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For periods worked abroad, submit a certificate or employment contract from the foreign country.
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To have periods of study or parental leave taken into account, add an official document (a certificate from the educational institution or the child's birth certificate).
Practical checklist
| Check before submitting | ✅ |
|---|---|
| I logged in to the eesti.ee portal | ☐ |
| I found the “Pensions and benefits” section | ☐ |
| I checked that all periods of employment are visible | ☐ |
| Additional documents (if required) have been submitted | ☐ |
| I selected the correct period and certificate language | ☐ |
| I downloaded the digitally signed certificate | ☐ |
| I checked for the digital seal | ☐ |
| If necessary, I ordered a paper version | ☐ |
Summary
Ordering a certificate of employment and pensionable service on the eesti.ee portal is an easy way to obtain an official overview of your employment history and pension entitlement.
Remember:
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before 1999 – employment record book and manually added data,
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after 1999 – registry data will be added automatically,
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the certificate is available immediately and valid digitally,
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if necessary, you can obtain a paper version from Sotsiaalkindlustusamet.
With this guide, you can obtain the necessary certificate in a few minutes, without queuing and free of charge – securely through the state portal eesti.ee.
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