Sick leave rules in Latvia at a glance
Statutory rules for Latvia, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Ask your employer |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Ask your employer |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 1, for sick pay; certificate A covers the first 9 calendar days, B from day 10 |
| Certificate deadline | Issued electronically; VSAA claim within 6 months; no employer deadline found |
| Waiting days | Day 1 |
| Employer pays | 75% on days 2 and 3, 80% on days 4 to 9 |
| State sickness benefit | VSAA: 80% from day 10 |
| Maximum duration | 26 weeks, up to 52 |
| Day count | Calendar days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Latvia?
In Latvia, employer pay: 75% on days 2 and 3, 80% on days 4 to 9. State sickness benefit: VSAA: 80% from day 10.
- Waiting daysDay 1Day 1
- EmployerDays 2 to 975% on days 2 and 3, 80% on days 4 to 9
- State sickness benefitFrom day 10VSAA: 80% from day 10
- Official body
- VSAA
- Certificate
- Sheet A, then sheet B
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Latvia?
In Latvia, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 1, for sick pay; certificate A covers the first 9 calendar days, B from day 10.
Self certification. Ask your employer
Certificate deadline. Issued electronically; VSAA claim within 6 months; no employer deadline found
Telling your employer. Ask your employer
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Latvia.
Worked example: 25 days off sick in Latvia
How a 25 day absence runs in Latvia, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Ask your employer |
| Day 1 | Waiting days | Day 1 |
| From day 1 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 1, for sick pay; certificate A covers the first 9 calendar days, B from day 10 |
| Days 2 to 9 | Employer | 75% on days 2 and 3, 80% on days 4 to 9 |
| Days 10 to 25 | State sickness benefit | VSAA: 80% from day 10 |
Maximum duration: 26 weeks, up to 52
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Latvia?
Latvia uses two certificates: sheet A covers the first 9 calendar days, and sheet B applies from day 10.
Day 1 is unpaid. You claim from VSAA within 6 months.
What if you work in Latvia but live in another country?
If you work in Latvia and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Ask your employer how and when to report sick, and send any certificate to the body that pays you (VSAA).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (VSAA) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
The certificate deadline in Latvia: issued electronically; VSAA claim within 6 months; no employer deadline found.
Waiting days in Latvia: day 1.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Latvia: 26 weeks, up to 52.
Official guidance we checked does not yet confirm when you must tell your employer in Latvia. Ask your employer.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Latvia with Estonia and Lithuania, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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