As of 1 January 2026, increased support is provided to recipients of the state social security benefit, recipients of minimum old-age, disability and survivor’s pensions, recipients of social assistance in municipalities, as well as orphans and young people who have been left without parental care and have reached the age of majority.
The increase in support results from the minimum income reform, which provides for an annual review of minimum income thresholds in line with changes in the income of the population as a whole. As a result of this review, the support provided by the state and municipalities in the field of social security is increased.
From 1 January 2026, higher thresholds are set for the guaranteed minimum income, as well as for low-income and needy households. The state social security benefit for persons with disabilities and for persons who have reached retirement age is increased. A higher minimum disability pension is established, and the calculation base for the minimum old-age pension is increased. Support is also increased for children and young people who have lost a breadwinner, as well as one-off and monthly benefits for orphans and young people who have been left without parental care after out-of-family care.
More information is available on the website of the Ministry of Welfare:
https://www.lm.gov.lv/lv/minimalo-ienakumu-limena-reforma
The minimum income reform is included in the European Union Recovery and Resilience Plan and forms part of the joint efforts of the European Union and Latvia, as a Member State, to strengthen social protection and promote social inclusion, with the aim of achieving increasingly positive improvements in the material well-being of the population of Latvia.
