Latvia Leave Laws & Holidays

Last updated on April 14, 2026.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Latvia

Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota

20 days

Workers in Latvia receive at least 20 days (four weeks) of paid vacation. This annual leave entitlement applies both to part-time and full-time employees.

Employees in certain job positions are eligible for extra vacation days beyond the standard 20 days:

• Positions associated with hazards or risks: 3 extra days;

• Responsibilities for 3 or more children under 16 years of age or a disabled child: 3 extra days;

• Duties involving less than three children under 14 years old: 1 extra day.

Workers under 18 years old are entitled to one full month of vacation.

Employees become eligible for vacation days after 6 months of work at the company.

Public holidays are not included in vacation days.

Carry Over

Allowed. Up to 2 weeks.

Part of the vacation may be transferred to the following year. Under a mutual agreement, a maximum of two weeks of unused vacation days may be rolled over to the subsequent year.

Payment of Unused Vacation on Termination

Required by law.

When an employee’s contract is terminated, he or she must be paid out for all the unused vacation days. Otherwise, it is forbidden by law to cash out vacation entitlements.

Sick Leave in Latvia

52 weeks paid at different rates.

Employees in Latvia may take up to 52 weeks of partially paid sick leave.

An employer can end an employee’s contract if the employee has had 6 straight months of sick leave or a total of one full year of sick leave in the last three years.

Payout

Sick pay depends on the duration of the leave:

• The first day is unpaid;
• Employer pays: 2nd and 3rd days are paid at the rate of 75% of the
  regular salary.
• The employer pays: From the fourth to the ninth day, 80% of the
  regular salary is paid.
• The government pays: From the 10th day to 26 weeks, employees are
  paid at the rate of 80% of their regular salary.
• The government also pays at the same rate if leave lasts up to a
  maximum of 52 weeks.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in Latvia

112 days

A pregnant employee in Latvia is entitled to 112 days of partially paid maternity leave.

This maternity leave is generally divided into 2 parts:

• Prepartum of 56 days

and

• Postpartum of 56 days

When maternity leave ends, an employee may take parental leave.

Payout

Maternity leave is paid by the government’s social security system at a rate of 80% of the employee’s regular salary.

Paternity Leave in Latvia

10 days

A father in Latvia may take 10 days of paternity leave. This leave must be taken within the first 2 months after the birth of a child.

The same as for a mother, a father can continue parental leave after the end of paternity leave.

Payout

Paternity leave is paid similarly to maternity leave, at a rate of 80% of the employee’s regular salary, paid by social security.

Parental Leave in Latvia

13 months or 19 months

Each of the parents is eligible to take parental leave.

Beginning January 1, 2023, parental leave is available, with the following options:

• 13 months of parental leave with pay of 60% of the employee’s salary,

or

• 19 months of parental leave with a pay of 43.75 % of the employee’s salary.

Payout

Parental leave is paid by the social security system.

Bereavement Leave in Latvia

In the unfortunate event of the death of an immediate family member, employees are generally granted paid bereavement leave, which can be 1-3 days or up to 5 days. The exact length of time off is often determined by company policy or collective bargaining agreements.

Jury Duty Leave in Latvia

Employers in Latvia must provide employees with time off when they’re summoned for jury duty.

Military Leave in Latvia

Employers must provide paid leave to employees drafted for the National Defence Service for the whole duration of their scheduled training. National Guard reservists receive daily compensation for training or duty, determined based on the monthly pay rate of full-time National Defence Service recruits.

Voting Leave in Latvia

Employers are legally required to grant their employees the time needed to vote on Election Day.

Public Holidays in Latvia

12 days of public holidays

Public holidays occurring on weekends are not observed, except for Army Day, which is observed on Friday or Monday if it falls on a Sunday. Additionally, there is an hour reduction in the workday before a holiday.

A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Latvia:

Sources

1. Local Laws & Regulations, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/latvia

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide Latvia, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/latvia/

3. Definitive Guide to Hiring in Latvia, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/Latvia

4. Section 149. Annual Paid Leave, https://www.lm.gov.lv/en/informacija-par-darba-apstakliem-un-nodarbinatibas-noteikumiem/leave1.pdf

5. Frequently asked questions about the National Defence Service, https://www.mod.gov.lv/en/national-defence-service/frequently-asked-questions-about-national-defence-service

Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.