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.
Social Security in Latvia
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Latvia operates a contributory social insurance system managed by the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA — Valsts sociālās apdrošināšanas aģentūra). Benefit entitlement is based on prior mandatory social insurance contributions (VSAOI). The system covers: pensions (three-pillar system), unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity/paternity benefit, parental benefit, invalidity benefit, and occupational accident insurance. Contributions are mandatory for all employed and self-employed persons. Latvia participates in all EU social security coordination regulations (EU Regulation 883/2004), allowing contribution periods across EU member states to be aggregated.
Personas kods (Personal Identity Code)
Personas kods
The personas kods is issued by PMLP (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde) upon residence registration. EU/EEA citizens register at PMLP and receive a personas kods as part of their registration certificate process. Non-EU nationals receive their personas kods with their temporary residence permit. The code is assigned once and remains for life (though the format was updated in recent years from birthdate-based to a randomised code for privacy reasons).
- All employment and payroll (mandatory for receiving salary)
- Tax registration and filing with VID
- Social insurance (VSAA) contributions and benefits
- Healthcare access (NVVĀ coverage verification)
- Banking (account opening, credit applications)
- Property ownership records
- Driving licence and vehicle registration (CSDD)
- Voting in local elections (for permanent residents)
- All official government services and e-services
- Company registration and directorship
Benefits & Support Payments
Unemployment Benefit
Bezdarbnieka pabalsts
Income replacement benefit for persons who lose employment involuntarily.
Must be: (1) registered as unemployed at NVA, (2) had VSAOI contributions for at least 12 months in the previous 16 months, (3) involuntarily unemployed (resigned workers have restricted access). EU/EEA citizens with Latvian employment history are eligible.
Register as unemployed at NVA (nva.gov.lv) within 30 days of becoming unemployed. Simultaneously apply to VSAA for the benefit. Must actively seek work and attend NVA appointments.
Sickness Benefit
Slimības pabalsts
Compensation for lost income during illness preventing work.
Employed or self-employed persons with current VSAOI contributions. Requires a medical sick note (darba nespējas lapa) from a doctor.
Obtain sick leave certificate from your doctor (electronically via e-veseliba system). Submit to employer for days 1–10; VSAA automatically pays from day 11.
Disability Benefit (Invalidity Pension)
Invaliditātes pensija
Income support for persons with recognised disabilities preventing full work capacity.
Recognised disability (invaliditāte) confirmed by the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability (VDEĀVK). Must have minimum insured service years depending on age.
Apply to VSAA after receiving VDEĀVK disability determination. Medical assessment required. Assessment centres in all major cities.
State Old-Age Pension (1st Pillar)
Valsts vecuma pensija
State pension paid from the notional defined contribution (NDC) 1st pillar of Latvia's three-pillar pension system.
Retirement age: 65 (phased increase, reaching 65 by 2025). Minimum service period: 15 years of contributions for minimum pension. Early retirement at 63 with 30+ years of contributions (reduced pension).
Apply at VSAA up to 6 months before retirement age. Application online at latvija.lv or in person at VSAA.
Funded Pension (2nd Pillar)
Valsts fondētā pensija (otrais pensiju līmenis)
Mandatory funded pension contribution invested in licensed pension funds. Accumulated as real capital (unlike notional 1st pillar).
All persons born from 1971 (born 1971–1980 could opt in; born after 1980 are mandatory participants). Employee contributes 2% of gross salary; employer matches 2% (from VSAOI contributions).
Automatic enrollment for eligible age groups. Choose a 2nd pillar pension fund (pensiju fondu pārvaldnieks). If no fund chosen, default fund is assigned. Fund selection at manapensija.lv.
Social Assistance from Municipality
Pašvaldības sociālā palīdzība
Means-tested financial assistance for persons with low income who do not qualify for VSAA-based benefits.
Must have income below the legally established threshold. Applied for at your local municipality social services department (sociālie pakalpojumi).
Contact your municipality (pašvaldības) social services office. Means test required.
Contribution Overview
Total mandatory social insurance contribution rate in Latvia (2026): Employee: 10.5% of gross salary. Employer: 23.59% of gross salary (paid on top of gross, not deducted from employee). Total combined: 34.09%. These contributions fund: old-age pension (1st and 2nd pillar), disability pension, survivors' pension, sickness benefit, maternity and paternity benefit, parental benefit, occupational accident insurance, and unemployment insurance. Self-employed persons pay a combined rate of 31.07% minimum (or based on actual income). Health insurance contributions are included in VSAOI.
International Social Security Agreements
Latvia participates in EU social security coordination (EU Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009) — contribution periods in EU/EEA member states and Switzerland are aggregated for pension and benefit eligibility. Bilateral social security agreements exist with: Ukraine, Belarus, Canada, USA (limited), Australia (limited — under negotiation), and several other non-EU countries. Check VSAA website (vsaa.gov.lv) for current agreement status.
Latvia's shrinking population is placing increasing pressure on the pension system — the country has one of the fastest population decline rates in the EU due to emigration and low birth rate. This makes private pension savings (3rd pillar) increasingly important to supplement the state and funded pensions. The VSAA online portal (vsaa.gov.lv/e-pakalpojumi) allows you to check your accumulated pension capital, contribution history, and benefit entitlements.
Social Security
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