This chapter provides information about the requirements regarding place of permanent residence for receiving certain social benefits in Latvia.

Am I a permanent resident?

Only regulations of one EU/EEA Member State may be applied. Meaning that only one country can be responsible for paying social benefits. Benefits granted according to regulations of EU/EEA Member State are paid to the recipient also when the person or his or her family members live in another country.

Employed and self-employed persons are eligible to receive social security benefits in the country in which they work, while economically inactive persons (for example pensioners and students) are eligible to receive them in the Member State where they habitually reside.

Citizens of the EU/EEA (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland), the United Kingdom and Switzerland are considered permanent residents of Latvia from the moment they receive their European Union citizen's registration certificate and ID number. However, social security benefits in Latvia are payable to all entitled persons.

You are eligible to receive a Registration Certificate for European Union Citizens if you:

• are employed, self-employed or a service provider in Latvia;
• are receiving an education in Latvia and you have sufficient means of support;
• are a family member of a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia or a foreign citizen holding a permanent residence card and you have sufficient means of support;
• have sufficient means of support.

After 5 years of uninterrupted residence in Latvia, EU citizens are eligible for a European Union citizen's permanent residence card.

If you are a third country national, you will be eligible to receive state social benefits in Latvia after you receive a permanent residence permit or you will be eligible to receive social security benefits if you have worked in Latvia and paid social insurance contributions.

Social security benefits granted to permanent residents of Latvia:

• birth of child benefit;
• child raising allowance;
• family state benefit;
• support payments for performing guardian duties;
• child support benefit for guardians;
• support payments for performing foster family duties;
• support payments for caring for an adopted child;
• support payment for adopting a child;
• child adoption benefit;
• benefit for caring for a child with disabilities;
• benefit for persons with disabilities who require care;
• benefit for compensating transport expenses for persons with disabilities;
• state social security benefit;
• benefit for assistance services for persons with Group I visual disability;
• and a municipal means-tested benefit to guarantee the minimum level of income (pašvaldības pabalsts garantētā minimālā ienākumu līmeņa nodrošināšanai);
• housing benefit (dzīvokļa pabalsts).

Social security benefits which are dependent on payment of social insurance contributions in Latvia or another EU/EEA country:

• unemployment benefit;
• sickness benefit;
• maternity and paternity benefit;
• parental benefit;
• invalidity benefit;
• compensation for a workplace accident or work-related illness;
• survivor's pension;
• old-age pension;
• funeral benefit;
• surviving spouse benefit.

Know your rights

See the links below for information on your rights when moving around the European Union. These are not European Commission websites and do not reflect the views of the European Commission.

Latvian laws and regulations on granting permanent resident status:

• Law on State Social Insurance
• Law on State Social Allowances
• Law on State Pensions
• Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on Procedures of the Entry and Residence in the Republic of Latvia of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members

European Commission publication and website:

• Social security: your rights in other European Union Member States

Who do you need to contact?

If you have any problems regarding your rights in the European Union, please contact the EU assistance service.