Sibel Seyran
Teie 10.03.2026
Türgi Vabariigi Saatkond Tallinnas
Meie 02.04.2026 nr 10-4/1831-2
[email protected]
Answer to the Inquiry
Dear Sibel Seyran
You submitted an inquiry to the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, in which You ask for an
explanation regarding the right to petition. In response to Your inquiry, we would like to clarify that the
right of petition also extends to foreign citizens, but the scope of this right depends on its type and the
individual's residence permit status in Estonia.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, everyone has the right to address state
agencies and local governments with memorandums, applications, and requests for explanations. This
right is universal and extends to absolutely all natural persons, including citizens of both the European
Union and, for example, Turkey, regardless of whether they are staying in the country temporarily or
permanently.
In matters of local life, the right to initiate a citizens' initiative for the passing, amending, or repealing
of legislation by the local council or government, or for the resolution of other local matters, rests with
at least 1%, but not fewer than five, of the residents of the relevant rural municipality or city who are
at least 16 years of age. In this context, in addition to Estonian citizens and European Union citizens,
an alien—that is, a person who is not a citizen of Estonia or another Member State of the European
Union—is also considered a resident of a rural municipality or city, provided they meet the
aforementioned requirements and reside in Estonia on the basis of a long-term resident's residence
permit or a permanent right of residence. The right to and procedure for a local citizens' initiative are
set out in the Local Government Organisation Act (Section 32), which is publicly available in English
at: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/517022026004/consolide/current.
To submit a collective address to the Riigikogu (the Parliament of Estonia), it is necessary to collect at
least 1,000 supporting signatures. A supporting signature may be given by a permanent resident of
Estonia who is at least 16 years of age, which includes an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia; a citizen
of the European Union, a Member State of the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation
residing in Estonia who holds a permanent right of residence; and an alien residing in Estonia who
holds a long-term resident's residence permit or a permanent right of residence. The right to and
procedure for a collective address are set out in the Response to Memorandums and Requests for
Explanations and Submission of Collective Addresses Act (Chapter 3), which is publicly available in
English at: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/529122024003/consolide/current.
The conditions for organizing a demonstration or public meeting are set out in Subchapter 2 of the
Law Enforcement Act, which is publicly available in English at:
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/511092025010/consolide.
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / +372 620 8100 /
[email protected]/ www.justdigi.ee
Registrikood 70000898
Sincerely
Signe Teiv
Adviser
Signe Teiv 58843859
[email protected]
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