Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior has sent an official notice to all religious organizations registered in the country regarding amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act that have entered into force. The ministry reminded organizations that they must bring their statutes, governing bodies, and activities into compliance with the new requirements by 28 December 2026. The changes are intended to safeguard national security.

This was reported by ERR.

The amendments entered into force on 27 June 2026 following a ruling by the Supreme Court. According to the Ministry of the Interior, their primary purpose is to eliminate the administrative and financial dependence of Estonian religious organizations on foreign religious centers, governing bodies, or religious leaders if they pose a threat to Estonia’s security, its constitutional order, or public order.

At the same time, the ministry emphasizes that the law does not prohibit international religious ties as such. The restrictions apply only where a foreign organization or its leadership is capable of exercising influence that creates a threat to national security.

The law also introduces restrictions for clergy and members of the governing boards of religious organizations. A person may not serve as a member of the clergy or of a governing body if, within the past ten years, they were refused the issuance or renewal of a residence permit, or if their residence permit was revoked on grounds related to a threat to national security. In addition, the restrictions apply to individuals who, within the past five years, have been denied a visa, refused a visa extension, or had their visa revoked on similar grounds.

These particular requirements took effect immediately and are not subject to a transitional period. The ministry specifically draws the attention of religious organizations to the need to comply with them without delay.

The Ministry of the Interior also stresses that leaving the control of a foreign religious center does not require the consent of the foreign leadership itself. Estonian religious organizations may adopt the necessary decisions independently, even if their current statutes require such decisions to be approved by a foreign body.

After the transitional period expires, the Ministry of the Interior will begin reviewing compliance with the new requirements. The ministry will first assess the circumstances, gather evidence, and conduct administrative proceedings while giving organizations the opportunity to present their explanations. If the violations are remedied, the proceedings will be terminated. If an organization refuses to comply with the law, the Minister of the Interior may apply to the court for the compulsory dissolution of the religious organization.

As LF previously reported, Estonia’s Supreme Court ruled that the revised version of the Churches and Congregations Act, adopted by the Riigikogu in the autumn of 2025, is constitutional. The ruling was issued by the Supreme Court in Tallinn. The law primarily concerns the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, formerly the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which will be required to separate from the Russian Orthodox Church.

As is well known, Estonian President Alar Karis declined to promulgate the revised version of the Churches and Congregations Act adopted by the Riigikogu in April 2025. In June of the same year, Parliament passed the law again in an amended form, but the president again declined to promulgate it and asked the Riigikogu to reconsider the legislation and bring it into conformity with the Constitution.

However, the Riigikogu made no further amendments and adopted the law unchanged. On 3 October 2025, Karis petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the law incompatible with the Constitution.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church no longer has the room for maneuver it previously enjoyed. The Churches and Congregations Act requires religious organizations to sever administrative and financial ties with their foreign centers. Cosmetic changes, such as adding a few more provisions to their statutes, are no longer sufficient. This was stated by Estonian Minister of the Interior Igor Taro. The law gives religious organizations six months to bring their statutes, governing bodies, and activities into compliance with the new requirements.

As LF previously reported, Estonia’s Supreme Court held a public hearing on 3 February to consider President Alar Karis’s petition seeking a declaration that the amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act were unconstitutional. The church of the Moscow Patriarchate maintains that the legislation is directed against it, while Parliament cites national security considerations.

As is well known, the annual report of Estonia’s Internal Security Service states that the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, continues to be governed by the Russian Orthodox Church despite presenting itself as independent. Although the church changed its name last year, only cosmetic amendments were made to its statutes to create the appearance of independence from the Moscow Patriarch, who continues to use Christian rhetoric to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

As LF previously reported, the Internal Security Service identified members of the clergy and individuals associated with the Russian Orthodox Church whose activities were deemed to threaten national security. Because of their support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and their promotion of the Kremlin’s foreign policy, these individuals were barred from entering Estonia and the Schengen Area.

Earlier, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Estonian Supreme Court’s decision that the Churches and Congregations Act complies with the Constitution. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariya Zakharova stated that “Moscow condemns any discriminatory actions taken by Estonia to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.”

Earlier, Patriarch Kirill Gundyayev of the Russian Orthodox Church claimed that efforts to oppose the Russian Orthodox Church were continuing in a number of countries, including Estonia.

Although the Russian Orthodox Church considers Estonia part of its canonical territory in its official documents, this is not the case under Orthodox canon law. This is the view of church historian Priit Rohtmets and specialist in Orthodox canon law David Hiet-Stade.