The Riigikogu supported setting B1 level language proficiency requirement for conscripts
Today, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) passed an Act requiring that from the beginning of 2027, all call-up selectees entering conscript service must have at least B1 level of proficiency in Estonian.
The Act provides that if a call-up selectee has not acquired education in Estonian or their language skills cannot be determined on the basis of databases, they will have to take a B1 level language proficiency exam. If a call-up selectee does not pass the B1 level exam, they will have to complete a language course organized by the Integration Foundation within a year and then retake the exam.
The state covers the cost of the initial language training, and compensation is also provided for participation in the language course and the proficiency exam. The total costs of taking the language exam and attending the language courses – estimated at EUR 400,000 per year – will be covered from the state budget.
The Act also provides that if a call-up selectee repeatedly fails to attend language training or take a qualification examination without a valid reason, the Defence Resources Agency will be able to take administrative coercive measures against them, including suspend their hunting right and the validity of their driver’s licence, fishing card and weapons-related permits. The same measures can currently be used if a person, repeatedly and without reason, fails to participate in an assessment of the state of health or to report for conscript service. According to the Act, the upper limit for the non-compliance levy imposed for failure to comply with a precept will raise from EUR 640 to EUR 1,280. The implementation of administrative coercive measures will help ensure that call-up selectees would not intentionally delay acquiring the required language proficiency and thereby avoid entering conscript service.
According to the explanatory memorandum, completing conscript service requires sufficient knowledge of Estonian to understand orders, follow safety requirements, and participate in training. The amendment will allow the Defence Forces to focus on their primary task which is providing military training.
The National Defence Committee wanted to set a language proficiency requirement for conscripts with an Act passed last November, but when the President refused to promulgate it, it was decided to resolve the issue with a separate law. The text of the Act was prepared by a working group, which was formed by the National Defence Committee and included representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture, the Defence Resources Agency, the Estonian Education and Youth Board, and the Integration Foundation, as well as members of the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Military Service Act (language requirement for conscript service) (825 SE), initiated by the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu, with 76 votes.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
[email protected]
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