tähtajalised

Tähtajalised is an Estonian adjective describing something that has a fixed term or is limited in time. In official, legal and business language the term is used to distinguish arrangements, positions or rights that are defined for a specific period from permanent or ongoing ones. The form is commonly applied to contracts, appointments and mandates that expire when the agreed term ends, unless a renewal or extension is agreed.

In employment law, tähtajaline is used for a temporary or fixed-term contract, such as a tähtajaline tööleping, where the duration is stated in advance and the employment ends automatically at the end of the term. In public administration and governance, tähtajaliseid ametikohti or tähtajalised volitused describe offices or powers that are granted for a defined period, for example for the duration of a project or a specific mandate.

Typical characteristics of tähtajalised arrangements include a defined start date and end date, and often provisions for renewal, termination, or notice if the term is to be extended. They are contrasted with permanent or püsivad arrangements, which do not have a predefined expiry date. The term is widely used in legal, administrative and organizational contexts to clarify the temporal scope of obligations, rights, and duties.