Latvia (LV)
Latvia is a parliamentary republic and EU member state on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Latvia.
Latvia's family support system provides maternity leave, parental leave, and child benefits through the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA). Latvian family benefits require prior social insurance contributions for most payments. Latvia has introduced relatively generous parental leave reforms to combat the country's shrinking population — one of Europe's most pressing demographic challenges. Benefits are available to EU/EEA citizens and non-EU residents with lawful residence and sufficient VSAOI contribution history.
Grūtniecības un dzemdību atvaļinājums (Maternity Leave)
Before birth: 70 calendar days before the expected date of birth (or 84 days for multiple births)
After birth: 56 calendar days after birth (70 days for complicated birth or multiple births). Standard total: 112 calendar days (56+56 ≈ 16 weeks); 126 days for complicated/multiple births. The maternity benefit (maternitātes pabalsts) equals 80% of the employee's average insured earnings for the 12 months preceding the leave.
Job protection: Employers are prohibited from dismissing a pregnant employee or an employee on maternity leave. The position must be held open. Returning employees have the right to return to the same or equivalent position.
Bērna kopšanas atvaļinājums (Childcare / Parental Leave)
Max duration: Until the child's 8th birthday — the maximum length of unpaid leave entitlement. Paid parental benefit (vecāku pabalsts) is available until the child is 1 year (or 1.5 years with reduced benefit). Either parent may take parental leave.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Latvia has flexible parental leave rules allowing parents to split and share leave. 2026 change: parents who are employed or self-employed while receiving parental benefit receive 75% of the allocated allowance (previously lower). Both parents cannot receive parental benefit simultaneously. The "tēva quota" (father's month) encourages father participation — 2 months are non-transferable for each parent (children born from 1 January 2026). Parents can pause and resume parental leave.
Benefits
Maternity Benefit
80% of average insured earnings for the 12 months before leave
Duration: 126 calendar days (standard birth). Approximately 18 weeks.
Eligibility: Required: at least 12 months of VSAOI contributions in the past 24 months. Applies to employed, self-employed, and some other insured categories.
How to apply: Apply via VSAA (vsaa.gov.lv) or the latvija.lv e-service portal. Your employer notifies VSAA when leave begins. Benefits paid directly by VSAA.
Self-employed persons must have paid minimum VSAOI contributions for at least 12 months. The calculation is based on average daily insured earnings.
Parental Benefit (Vecāku pabalsts)
Up to €4,000/month (maximum cap). Full benefit (child age 0–12 months): 60% of average earnings if taking 1 year, or 43.75% if taking 1.5 years. Reduced benefit (child age 12–18 months): proportional reduction.
Duration: 12 months at full rate or 18 months at reduced rate (parent's choice). Benefit until child is 1 year (full) or 1.5 years (reduced).
Eligibility: Same VSAOI contribution requirements as maternity benefit. EU/EEA citizens with Latvian residence and employment.
How to apply: Apply at vsaa.gov.lv or at nearest VSAA office. Application within 6 months of child's birth (backdated from birth if applied late).
Latvia significantly increased the parental benefit cap in recent years as part of population policy. The combination of maternity + parental benefit means most parents can be on paid leave for 15–21 months.
Birth Grant (Ģimenes valsts pabalsts — one-off birth payment)
€421.17 for the birth of the first child; higher for subsequent children
Duration: One-time payment
Eligibility: All parents of newborn children registered in Latvia.
How to apply: Apply at VSAA within 6 months of birth.
Paid as a one-time grant upon birth registration. Not means-tested.
Child State Benefit (Ģimenes valsts pabalsts — monthly)
€25/month for first child; €30/month for second child; increasing amounts for larger families. Additional supplement for children with disabilities.
Duration: Until the child's 19th birthday (while attending school). Terminates at 15 for non-students.
Eligibility: All residents of Latvia with children under 15 (or 19 if in education). Not means-tested.
How to apply: Apply at VSAA or latvija.lv within 6 months of birth.
Relatively modest monthly amounts — Latvia has been increasing these as part of family policy.
Father's Benefit (Tēva pabalsts)
80% of average insured earnings
Duration: 10 calendar days following the birth of the child
Eligibility: Father (or second parent) must have VSAOI contributions. Leave must be taken within 2 months of birth.
How to apply: Apply at VSAA. Notify employer and obtain paternity leave.
Encourages early father involvement. Latvia has been promoting father participation as part of demographic and gender equality policy.
Childcare Benefit (Bērna kopšanas pabalsts)
€171/month (approximately, 2026)
Duration: Until child is 18 months (for parents not entitled to parental benefit) or until child is 1 year (for those receiving parental benefit as top-up)
Eligibility: Parents not eligible for the full parental benefit (e.g., students, recently unemployed, self-employed with insufficient contributions).
How to apply: Apply at VSAA.
A safety net benefit for parents who cannot access the higher parental benefit.
Sick child leave
Parents may take paid sick leave (darba nespējas lapa) to care for a sick child under 14 years. VSAA pays sick leave benefit from day 2 (for children under 14). Maximum: 14 days per illness episode for a child under 14 (21 days for children with disabilities). Both parents may share the sick leave entitlement. Certificate from the child's doctor is required.
Birth registration
All births must be registered at the Civil Registry Office (Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa) within 1 month of birth. Both parents present with passports. Hospital provides a medical birth certificate. The child receives a birth certificate (dzimšanas apliecība) and is enrolled in the population register. Latvian citizenship is registered based on parents' citizenship status.
Childcare rights
Children from 18 months are entitled to a place in a state-subsidised kindergarten (bērnudārzs). Apply through the municipality waiting list. For the period 1–18 months, parental or childcare benefit covers parents who care for the child at home. Private childcare options are available at full cost for children from birth. Children with special needs have the right to appropriate educational support (special education programmes, integration in mainstream classes with support).
Family Rights
Unlock the complete Family Rights guide for Latvia — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere