How long is unemployment benefit paid in Latvia?
Up to eight months — but not at the same rate throughout. Unemployment benefit is paid for 8 months within a 12-month period from the day it is granted, and the amount tapers: the first two months at the full rate, months three and four at 75%, months five and six at 50%, and months seven and eight at 45% of the granted amount. To qualify at all, you need mandatory social contributions for 12 months within the last 16, and the status itself is obtained from the State Employment Agency. And from 1 April 2026 there is an important change: the right to hold unemployed status and to receive the benefit exists only if you have no income on which mandatory state social insurance contributions must be paid.
📋 The rules
- Paid for up to 8 months
- Requires contributions for 12 of the last 16 months
- Months 1–2: 100%
- Months 3–4: 75%; 5–6: 50%
- Months 7–8: 45% of the granted amount
🔓 Exceptions
- From 1 April 2026 no benefit if you have income subject to social contributions
- That covers even small income, including from self-employment
- Unemployed status must be obtained from the State Employment Agency
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The new rule can remove the benefit entirely. From 1 April 2026 the right to unemployed status and to the benefit exists only if you receive no income on which mandatory state social insurance contributions must be paid. In practice that means: even a small fee or an item of self-employment income can end both the status and the benefit — “I'll just do a little on the side” no longer works here. Check every source of income before applying. The second common stumbling block is the record: you need contributions for 12 months within the last 16 — if the employment was shorter or off the books, no benefit will be granted, however long you worked in earlier years. And do not delay: the status is obtained at the State Employment Agency, and the start of payments is tied to when you apply.
📎 Official sources
- VSAA · Unemployment benefit →
- NVA · Unemployed status →
- likumi.lv · Support for Unemployed Persons Law →
❓ Frequently asked
How long is the benefit paid?
For up to eight months within a 12-month period from the day it is granted. The amount is not the same throughout — it tapers, and in the final two months it is only 45 percent of the sum originally granted.
How does the amount taper?
The first two months are paid at the full rate, months three and four at 75 percent, months five and six at 50 percent, and months seven and eight at 45 percent of the granted amount.
What contribution record do I need?
Contributions for unemployment must have been made for 12 months within the last 16 months. If the employment was shorter or without a contract, no benefit is granted, however long you worked in earlier years.
What changes in April 2026?
From 1 April the right to unemployed status and to the benefit exists only if you receive no income on which mandatory state social insurance contributions must be paid. This also affects the self-employed.
Does a small income interfere?
It can. Under the new rules even a small fee or self-employment income on which social contributions are payable can end both your unemployed status and the payment of the benefit entirely.
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