The first Adult Education Act (AEA) entered into force in Estonia in 1993, being the first and only one of its kind in Europe at that time.

AEA stated that everyone has the right to continual individual development throughout their lives and laid down obligations of the state, local governments and employers related to the coordination and implementation of adult education. AEA also regulated granting study leaves for training participants, and provided principles for financing adult education from the state budget.