From April 1, the state will pay unemployment benefits only to those who have lost their jobs and have no other sources of income from which mandatory state social insurance contributions are made, writes Latvijas Avīze.
Until now, an unemployed person registered with the State Revenue Service (SRS) as self-employed could earn income while maintaining their unemployed status, provided that their income did not reach the minimum wage (in 2026 - 780 euros per month) and that small contributions to social insurance were made from it.
Amendments to the law on support for the unemployed and job seekers, adopted by the Saeima on January 22 of this year and coming into effect on April 1, also provide for changes in the rules for obtaining and maintaining the status of unemployed and job seeker.
The State Employment Agency (SEA) will no longer grant the status of job seeker, but only the status of unemployed. Those seeking work will be able to use the services of the SEA without obtaining this status. The condition that unemployment benefits are not received by individuals with income will apply regardless of the tax regime, including for recipients of royalties.
The status of unemployed will be maintained if the duration of work does not exceed 92 days for employees or three months for the self-employed. For example, if the status of unemployed was granted on April 1, and on April 10 the unemployed person notifies the SEA of entering into an employment contract from May 1 to May 31, the status of unemployed will be retained. However, unemployment benefits will not be paid during this period. In turn, a self-employed person paying taxes under the general regime and knowing that there will be no income in April must apply for unemployed status on April 1.
