42 Estonians and Estonian citizens returning from abroad received support to do so from MISA’s predecessor, the Estonian Migration Foundation, in 2009. The same figure in 2008 was exactly 200 more, with 242 returnees supported in coming back to Estonia. The support is available to Estonians and Estonian citizens who have lived outside of the country for more than 10 years or who were born in another country.
As in 2008, the majority of those returning to the country in 2009 were younger people. 31 of the 42 were of working age; 7 were children; and the remaining 4 were pensioners. 26 returned to Estonia from Russia, including 18 from Pechory (a town which once formed part of Estonia but which today lies just across the border). The countries ranked second and third from which people returned were the United States (5) and Italy (3).
The Migration Foundation allocated a total of 695,000 kroons in support of people returning to Estonia in 2009. The average sum received per applicant for the year was 16,547 kroons, more than double the figure for 2008 (7882 kroons) and higher than the figure for 2007 (13,923 kroons).
48 foreigners received support to leave Estonia in 2009, 22 more than in 2008. They included two retired Soviet Army officers and 10 deportees.
Support for leaving Estonia is available to foreigners who have resided in the country permanently for at least 10 years and who wish to return to their country of origin or relocate to another country. The majority of applicants supported in 2009 (31) relocated to Russia, while 6 relocated to Azerbaijan. Of those who received such support, 13 were pensioners; 24 were of working age; and 11 were children.
The average sum of such support per person in 2009 was 6505 kroons (compared to 4757 kroons in 2008 and 7778 kroons in 2007). The total amount allocated was 247,200 kroons (compared to 330,000 kroons in 2008 and 879,000 kroons in 2007). 28,500 kroons was allocated on humanitarian grounds to the 10 people deported from Estonia in order for them to be able to return to their home countries. Similar support was also provided for three asylum-seekers and people who had illegally entered the country to leave Estonia via funding from the Estonian Ministry of the Interior and the European Return Fund.
MISA is continuing to advise and provide material support to people returning to Estonia and those leaving the country in 2010.
Consultation on migration-related issues
Consultants are available at the following times:
Monday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Wednesday – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Address: Room 604, 6th floor, Liimi 1, Tallinn
For further information please contact:
Martin Eber
Coordinator, Civic Education and Migration Unit
Telephone: +372 659 9067
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