The difference between the rate of foreign pension and national pension

As an exception, the Difference Between the Rate of Foreign Pension and National Pension may also be compensated for Ukrainian war refugees of pensionable age who have not been granted an Estonian pension.

The application must be accompanied by:

• a copy of your identity document,
• foreign pension certificate,
• the basis of your stay in the country and
• proof of the amount of the Ukrainian pension, provided as either:
  • a certificate from the Ukrainian Pension Fund, or
  • certificate issued by the bank regarding the amount in which the Ukraine Pension Fund last transferred the pension to you. If your pension is transferred to an account of a third party, and the name of the pension recipient (in this case – your name) is not visible in the payment description, please provide us with a certificate regarding the amount of the Ukrainian pension paid by the Ukraine Pension Fund.

The recipient of international or temporary protection is paid the difference monthly to the bank account. The amount of the difference to be paid is recalculated at the beginning of each quarter, taking into account the exchange rate.

Important to know

• The Difference Between the Rate of Foreign Pension and National Pension will be granted from the date of application, if all the conditions for eligibility are met, until the expiry of the residence permit or protection status.
• If the residence permit or protection status is renewed, a new application must be submitted

Pension receipts from Ukraine

Estonia does not take over the payment of Ukrainian pensions, even if a war refugee in Estonia does not receive his Ukrainian pension here. Unfortunately, Ukraine cannot transfer the pension directly to the Estonian account.

If you intend to stay in Estonia for a longer period, you can apply to the Social Insurance Board with a request to receive your pension in Estonia based on a foreign agreement. In this case, your application will be sent to Ukraine, and from now on, Ukraine will pay your pension to Estonia once a quarter. It should be taken into account that the exchange of information with the Ukrainian institution may be disrupted and not work normally.

If the pension is paid quarterly through the competent authority of Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, or Russia, the difference is paid once a quarter, i.e., when a foreign pension is received. The amount of difference paid may be different each time, as its amount is related to the exchange rate.