Tallinn Boosts Social Benefits and Accessibility Support
Estonia's capital has retroactively increased several social welfare payments, including raising child birth allowances to €1,000, and introduced new compensation for home accessibility modifications as it prepares a new four-year financial plan.
- —Tallinn has increased several social benefits, including child birth allowances, disability support, and pension supplements, effective retroactively from January 1, 2026.
- —A new compensation of up to 6,400 euros has been introduced for the installation of platform lifts in residential buildings to improve accessibility.
- —The city is also developing a new four-year budget strategy, intended to align with the 2026 budget and outline financial priorities.
- —The new budget strategy aims to be a realistic, actionable plan based on analysis and financial capacity, with a presentation to the city government expected in March.
- —Separately, Estonia's parliament passed an amendment to the gambling tax law to ensure uniform taxation of remote gambling, set to take effect on March 1, 2026.
Recap
Tallinn's administration is executing a dual strategy of expanding its social safety net while simultaneously reinforcing long-term fiscal discipline. The retroactive application of increased benefits addresses immediate needs for vulnerable populations, while the development of a new, data-driven budget strategy aims to ensure these commitments are sustainable. The move signals a proactive governance approach focused on tangible quality-of-life improvements backed by structured financial planning.