All About Employee Leave & PTO in Latvia

Vacation Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum of four calendar weeks of paid vacation per year, excluding public holidays. At least two consecutive weeks must be used in the current year. Additional days are granted for employees with multiple children or those working in hazardous conditions.

Sick Leave  

Employers pay 75% of an employee’s average earnings following day two of sick leave, and 80% from day three up until day 10. From day 11, the state pays 80% of the employee’s wages for up to 52 weeks of consecutive leave, or 52 weeks across three years if leave is taken intermittently.

Maternity Leave 

Pregnant employees are entitled to 112 calendar days of maternity leave (56 days before birth + 56 days after birth) in standard cases. In cases of complications or multiple births, may extend to 140 days. This leave is generally split evenly before birth and after childbirth and paid by Latvia’s social insurance system. Additional days may be granted for complications or multiple births. 

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 10 working days of paid paternity leave, which must be used within six months of the child’s birth. Paternity leave is state-funded and non-transferable.

Parental Leave

Each parent may take up to 1.5 years (18 months) of parental leave until the child turns eight. Leave may be taken all at once or in segments of at least one calendar week. Time off for parental leave counts towards an employee’s tenure. Once an employee returns, the employer must return the employee to a previous or a similar role.

Other Types of Leave

Latvian law allows for other types of leave, including: 

• Carer’s Leave: Up to five unpaid days per year to care for a family member

• Adoption Leave: 10 days for adoptive parents

• Study Leave: Up to 20 working days for exams or thesis defense

• Supplementary Leave: Three extra days for parents with three children or employees working under hazardous conditions