Citizen’s Day is celebrated on 26 November, as that was the day the Estonian Provincial Assembly adopted a regulation on Estonian citizenship in 1918. That officially created the term ‘Estonian citizen’. Citizen’s Day is dedicated to all the citizens of Estonia and to those aspiring to become citizens of Estonia. On that day, we draw attention to the sense of being a citizen as well as the rights and obligations of a citizen.
Citizen’s Day certificates of honour and the title of Citizen of the Year are presented by the Minister of the Interior at a festive event with the aim to acknowledge citizenship and promote its value.
People who have just attained Estonian citizenship receive their citizenship certificates at festive ceremonies dedicated to Citizen’s Day at the end of the year in Pärnu, Tartu and Narva.
Estonia has celebrated Citizen’s Day since 1998.
Citizen’s Day certificate of honour
The Ministry of the Interior bestows the Citizen’s Day certificate of honour in recognition of responsible and caring individuals who have shown themselves to be exemplary citizens, either by a notable contribution to life in Estonia or promoting civic education or doing volunteer work in their community.
Candidates for a Citizen’s Day certificate of honour can be nominated both by individuals and organisations. This year, nominations were submitted until 10 November 2022. The nominations are reviewed by a committee formed at the Ministry of the Interior that has the right to issue 15 certificates of honour. The committee is made up of representatives of state institutions and citizens’ associations as well as a previous recipients of the Citizen’s Day certificate of honour.
Further information about the Citizen’s Day certificate of honour: Advisor of the Civil Society Department of the Ministry of the Interior, Marten Lauri (612 5203, [email protected]).
Citizen of the Year
Every year, the Ministry of the Interior announces the Citizen of the Year competition. The title can be claimed by permanent residents of the Republic of Estonia and everyone can nominate candidates. The honorary title of the Citizen of the Year is bestowed in recognition of people who stand out as active and caring for Estonian society.
Candidates for the title of Citizen of the Year could be nominated until 10 November 2022 and the Minister of the Interior presented the title at the festive Citizen’s Day event held on 28 November 2022.
Last updated: 29.03.2023
