Financial support for children's extracurricular activities in Estonia in 2026: who is eligible and how much will the local government pay?
A child’s sports training, music school, art class, robotics or other extracurricular activity can mean a significant monthly expense for a family. In Estonia, the state also supports extracurricular education and activities for children and young people in 2026. year, but an important distinction should be made here: state extracurricular activity support is not a uniform cash benefit paid automatically to every parent.
In 2026, the target group for the state’s additional support for hobby education and activities is primarily young people aged 7–19. The state allocates funding to local governments, and the rural municipality or city decides how it is used in its area. In some places, a family can
apply for reimbursement of participation fees or transport costs; elsewhere, the money goes to a hobby school, club or service provider.
What is child extracurricular activity support in 2026. year?
Under the Youth Work Act, the state may provide rural municipalities and cities with additional support to improve the availability and diversity of systematic, guided extracurricular education and activities for young people aged 7–19. Local governments must take the actual needs and bottlenecks in their area into account when using the support.
The Education and Youth Board also explains that the funds allocated to local governments make up the largest part of the state’s additional funding, and the local government has the main decision-making authority over how the support is used.
Official source: Youth Work Act – Riigi Teataja
Official explanation: Education and Youth Board
Who is eligible for support?
There is no nationwide rule granting the parent of every 7–19-year-old child a fixed amount. The main purpose of state support is to reduce barriers to participation. Local governments may take into account, for example, the family’s financial situation, the number of children in the family, the child’s special needs, transport requirements, or whether a suitable extracurricular activity is even available near the child’s home.
How much did the state allocate to regions in 2026. year?
According to the annex to Government of the Republic Order No. 42 of 26 February 2026, a total of 9 225 000 euros was distributed to local governments to support extracurricular education and activities. The amounts are listed below by county; opening each county also shows the allocations to local governments.
Official source: Government of the Republic Regulation No. 42 of 26.02.2026 – Riigi Teataja
How much can a family actually receive? Examples of local governments in 2026.
Here is the most important difference: a state allocation to a local government and a benefit paid to a family are not the same thing. In some municipalities, specific limits have been set for parents; in others, the service provider is supported, and the family's benefit takes the form of a lower co-payment or a wider choice of extracurricular activities.
The allocation of state support takes into account, among other things, the number of young people, the number of young people living in families in more difficult economic circumstances, the number of young people with disabilities, and the municipality’s financial capacity. In addition, a local government (KOV) may also use its own budget funds or the balance of funds from previous periods for hobby education. Therefore, the total amount of the local hobby education plan may not be exactly the same as the allocation to the state support fund for 2026.
What can the support cover?
Depending on the local government, assistance may cover, for example:
- hobby school tuition or participation fees for a hobby group;
- transport to a hobby school, sports practice or hobby group;
- necessary supplies and equipment;
- participation in competitions, contests, camps or festivals;
- additional arrangements needed for a child with special needs to participate;
- the service provider’s costs to make a hobby group or place in a course more accessible to the family.
Always check the applicable rules of the local government in your place of residence for the exact list.
Kuidas kontrollida, kas sinu laps saab toetust?
Kas sporditrenn kuulub huvitegevuse alla?
Jah, sporditegevus võib olla toetatav huvitegevus, kuid see ei tähenda, et iga spordiklubi kuutasu
hüvitatakse automaatselt. Mõnes KOV-is toetatakse otse spordiklubi või huvikooli, mõnes on olemas
lapsevanemale mõeldud kuluhüvitis ning mõnes kasutatakse mõlemat mudelit.
Frequently asked questions
Kas iga laps saab 2026. aastal huvitegevuse toetust?
Ei. Riiklik toetus makstakse KOVidele ning kohaliku toetuse tingimused otsustab vald või linn.
Mis vanuses lastele on riiklik lisatoetus suunatud?
Under the Youth Work Act, young people aged 7–19 are eligible for state additional support.
How much support does one child receive?
There is no nationwide amount. For example, in Viimsi the annual maximum for tuition/club fee support is 350 euros, while in Hiiumaa participation fee support can amount to 100 euros per month, but the conditions for these measures differ.
Is the money always paid to the parent?
No. For example, in Tartu, activity support is calculated based on the parent’s confirmed participation, but the money is paid to the hobby education provider.
Can you receive support for a private hobby school?
Yes, if the local authority’s rules or funding model allow it. Conditions vary by local authority.
Official sources
Youth Work Act – Riigi Teataja
Education and Youth Board – support for hobby education and activities for local authorities
These articles may also be of interest
Childcare services and alternatives to kindergarten places in Tallinn 2026
Compare the prices, support and conditions for childcare, private kindergartens and other options in Tallinn.
The start of a child’s school journey: how to support a child starting school?
Practical advice for parents to help children adjust better to school routines and new responsibilities.
Large children's playgrounds in Tallinn and the surrounding area
Find larger playgrounds and family-friendly places in Tallinn, Viimsi and the surrounding area.
Where in Estonia can you study and receive counselling free of charge in 2026?
Find free courses, language lessons, retraining programmes, career counselling and other learning opportunities.
Add your service to the Easyfind.ee portal and make it visible to families actively looking for clubs, coaches, teachers and other child-related services.
The article was prepared using artificial intelligence. Data verified 24.09.2026. The conditions, application rounds and budgets for local support may change. Always check the current official information from your municipality or city before submitting an application. County amounts are calculated as the amounts allocated to local authorities for hobby education and activities, as published in the appendix to the Government of the Republic’s distribution for the year 2026.