rahvastikuregister

Rahvastikuregister is the national population register of Estonia, a state-maintained database that records core personal information on residents and citizens. Established after Estonia regained independence, it is a central element of the country’s civil registration and e‑governance infrastructure.

The register stores identifying information such as name, personal identification code (isikukood), date and place of birth, sex, citizenship, marital status, registered place of residence and family relationships, together with records of births, deaths, marriages and changes of residence. Data are collected from civil status events, local governments, state institutions and individuals, and are used to maintain up-to-date population information for administration and planning.

Rahvastikuregister supports a wide range of public services and functions, including administration of social and health services, taxation, electoral rolls, planning and official statistics. It is integrated with Estonia’s digital identity and e‑services, enabling automated data exchange between authorized public agencies.

Access to register data is regulated by law, including provisions intended to protect privacy and ensure data accuracy; individuals have rights to inspect and correct their personal records. The system has been subject to legal and public scrutiny regarding data protection and transparency, prompting periodic legislative and technical updates. The register remains a foundational component of Estonia’s public administration and digital service ecosystem.