Estonia · Government
Government and administration in Estonia
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of State — President of the Republic
- Elected by the Riigikogu; largely ceremonial.
- Executive — Prime Minister and Government
- Accountable to the Riigikogu.
- Legislative — Riigikogu
- Single chamber of 101 members; online voting used.
- Judicial — Three-tier courts headed by Riigikohus
- Career judiciary.
How legislation is made
Bills pass three readings in the Riigikogu and are proclaimed by the President, who may return a bill once for reconsideration.
Enforcement institutions
- Police and Border Guard Board
- Integrated national police and border agency.
- Office of the Prosecutor General
- Directs criminal prosecution.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialProsecutor’s Office (Prokuratuur)Directs criminal investigation and prosecution.
- executiveCentre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK)Runs the e-Business Register and Land Register.
- executivePolice and Border Guard Board (PPA)Issues residence permits and identity documents.
- executiveEstonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA)Assesses and collects taxes and duties.
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