If I am unemployed, can I pay less maintenance?
You cannot — and it does not depend on your circumstances. Each parent must provide at least 25% of the minimum wage for a child under seven and 30% for a child from seven to 18. With the 2026 minimum wage of €780, that means €195 and €234 a month. The duty to provide the minimum applies regardless of the parent's income, employment or property position. Unemployment does not release you from it. And it is a minimum, not a maximum: a court may order more, weighing the child's reasonable needs and the parents' means.
📋 The rules
- Under seven: at least €195 a month
- From seven to 18: at least €234 a month
- Those are 25% and 30% of the minimum wage
- The duty does not depend on your income
- It is a minimum, not a maximum
🔓 Exceptions
- Parents may agree on more, but not on less than the statutory minimum
- State fund payments after 18 continue only during qualifying study, and not past 21
- The sum the fund pays is not the same as the parent's minimum obligation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Do not leave this unresolved — the consequences go well beyond the debt. Where the liable parent does not pay, the state Maintenance Guarantee Fund pays €155 for a child under seven and €180 from seven to 18. But note: the fund's payment is not your obligation — the difference can still be recovered from you. And the fund can restrict your rights: a debtor who has not paid for three consecutive months can have their driving rights suspended. You normally get 20 days beforehand to show circumstances making the restriction disproportionate — for instance, that driving is essential for your work.
📎 Official sources
- likumi.lv · Minimum maintenance regulation →
- likumi.lv · Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law →
- Maintenance Guarantee Fund →
❓ Frequently asked
How much must I pay per month?
Each parent must provide at least €195 for a child under seven and €234 from seven to 18. Those are 25% and 30% of the 2026 minimum wage of €780.
Does unemployment excuse the minimum?
It does not. The duty to provide minimum maintenance applies regardless of the parent's income, employment status or property position. It is one of the most widespread myths.
Why does the fund pay less?
The fund pays €155 or €180, while the parent's minimum obligation is €195 or €234. The fund's payment does not reduce that obligation — the difference can still be recovered from the parent.
Can we agree on a lower sum?
Parents may agree on a higher payment, but not on one that deprives the child of the statutory minimum. Such an agreement does not bind the child and will not stand.
Can they take away my driving licence?
They can. A debtor who has failed to pay for three consecutive months can have their driving rights restricted. You normally get 20 days first to show the restriction would be disproportionate.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can i pay less child maintenance latvia”
- “minimum child maintenance 2026 latvia”
- “child maintenance while unemployed latvia”
- “how much per child per month latvia”
- “maintenance for a child under 7 latvia”
- “maintenance debtor driving ban latvia”