The Saeima today adopted amendments to the Law on Support for the Civilian Population of Ukraine, removing several support measures, including benefits for starting employment or self-employment.
This year, the inflow of Ukrainian nationals into Latvia has remained relatively stable — on average, 500–600 people per month newly register for temporary protection. At the same time, the number is significantly lower than during the first years of the war.
In 2025, the number of persons whose temporary protection status has been annulled increased sharply, as they failed to apply for a new residence permit within one month after the expiry of their visa or temporary residence permit. As of the 1st of October, 2025, 31,152 Ukrainian nationals were registered in Latvia’s Population Register, including 17,167 women, 13,985 men and 6,977 minors.
The situation of Ukrainians in the labour market is gradually improving, the ministry has assessed. According to the Ministry of Finance, in June this year, 9,909 Ukrainian nationals were employed under labour contracts. Since 2022, both the number of employed persons and the level of earned income have gradually but steadily increased.
For the implementation of the 2025 support plan, the Cabinet allocated 65 million euros.
For 2026, the allocated funding is 39,717,846 euros. With this reduction in funding, the range of support measures available to Ukrainian civilians must be reviewed.
Currently, the state provides a one-time benefit equal to one minimum monthly wage for Ukrainian nationals who begin employment or start self-employment. Given that Ukrainians are now integrated into Latvia’s labour market and that general employment support mechanisms are available, continuing this benefit is no longer deemed necessary, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
At the same time, Ukrainian nationals will retain full access to the services of the State Employment Agency, on the same terms as Latvian citizens.
The adopted amendments also establish that Ukrainian nationals will henceforth have the same rights and extent of fare discounts on subsidised regional public transport routes as the passenger groups entitled to such discounts under Latvian regulations.
Ukrainian nationals will also no longer be exempt from patient co-payments when receiving healthcare services and will be required to make standard co-payments.
However, Ukrainians will continue to have access to state-paid healthcare services to the same extent as persons insured under Latvia’s mandatory state health insurance system — i.e., under the same conditions and scope as other residents of Latvia.
Additionally, Ukraine nationals will no longer have the costs of registering their pets or fulfilling mandatory veterinary requirements covered by the state.
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