Family

Divorce in Estonia

e-Divorce process, costs, and property division

Divorce Methods [PKS §56-66]

Vital Statistics Office

For mutual agreement divorces

  • Both spouses agree to divorce
  • No disputes about children or property
  • Can be done online via rahvastikuregister.ee
  • State fee: €50
  • Processing time: 30 days

⚖️ Court Divorce

When spouses cannot agree

  • One spouse does not agree to divorce
  • Disputes about children
  • Property division conflict
  • State fee: €300
  • Duration: 3-12 months

e-Divorce Process [PKS §56-60]

1

Log in to rahvastikuregister.ee

Use your Estonian ID-card or Mobile-ID to access the portal

2

Submit divorce application

Fill out the online form with your spouse's details

3

Other spouse confirms

Your spouse has 30 days to confirm the application

4

30-day consideration period

Legal waiting period begins after both parties confirm

Both confirm final decision

After the waiting period, both must confirm again

Court Divorce [PKS §61-66]

When Court Divorce is Required
  • One spouse does not agree to divorce
  • Disputes about child custody or visitation
  • Disagreement over child support amount
  • Property division conflict
  • One spouse's location is unknown
Court Process

1. File Petition

Submit divorce petition to county court. State fee: €300

2. Mediation

Court may require reconciliation attempt or mediation

3. Court Hearing

Both spouses present their case. Can take 3-12 months

4. Court Judgment

Court issues divorce decree and settles disputes

Divorce Costs

TypeCost
e-Divorce (online)~€50
Court divorce (base fee)€300
Property dispute (court)% of value
Lawyer (optional)€100-300/hr

Low-income individuals may qualify for state-funded legal aid.

Children in Divorce [PKS §137-165]

Joint Custody (Default)

Both parents retain equal rights and responsibilities. This is the default unless court rules otherwise.

Child's Residence

Parents must agree where the child will primarily live. If they cannot agree, the court decides based on the child's best interests.

Child Support

The non-custodial parent pays minimum €301.74/month per child (2025). Amount may be adjusted based on income and time spent with child.

Property Division [PKS §24-55]

Community Property (Default)

Assets acquired during marriage are divided equally (50/50). This includes real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, and investments.

Marital Agreement

Spouses may have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement specifying different property division rules. Such agreements must be notarized.

Division Process

Property can be divided by agreement (cheaper) or through court (expensive). Real estate transfers require notary. Complex assets may need valuation.

Related Guides

Official Sources

Sources