A reservist asked whether the fee and compensation for participating in a training exercise align with the Constitution. He travelled from abroad to attend the reserve training exercise and lost a significant amount of his salary. The fee and compensation are intended to cover some of the expenses related to participating in the training – as daily tasks remain undone and additional costs arise.

"I believe that the regulations concerning the support and compensation for reservists are not unconstitutional, but the costs borne by the reservists themselves have indeed increased significantly, so a way should be found to compensate for participation in training exercises fairly. Reserve service is part of the national defence obligation, and covering all the costs of all participants in all training exercises is not required by the Constitution.

When determining the size of the support and compensation, it is taken into account that the state ensures free local transportation, accommodation, and catering for reservists during the training. The central principle of national defence is enshrined in sections 1 and 2 of Article 124 of the Constitution: the defence of the state is the responsibility of Estonian citizens under the general constitutional obligation," said the Chancellor. 

Opinion of the Chancellor of Justice

See also: https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120349414/ministeerium-kaalub-kohustada-tooandjaid-reservvaelastele-oppuse-ajal-palka-maksma