Resources for employers in Latvia
Resources for employers in Latvia
We use "refugees" to encompass forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers, and others needing international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees in Latvia?
Latvia has accommodated a significantly high number of refugees relative to its population size during recent years. The Latvian government and civil society have demonstrated unwavering solidarity in support of Ukrainian refugees, with the majority of Latvians supporting their reception.
Special measures have been introduced to guarantee equal rights and access to services for Ukrainian refugees, ensuring parity with Latvian citizens, including employment rights. Consequently, a significant segment of the Ukrainian refugee community has been integrated into the labour market. Latvian employers have demonstrated a considerable willingness to provide employment opportunities to Ukrainian refugees. Regular job fairs are organised between employers and refugees to facilitate employment opportunities through in-person contact. According to the State Revenue Service, more than half of working-age Ukrainian refugees are employed, and over 3,500 companies report employing Ukrainians, thereby making significant contributions to Latvia's economy through labour and consumption taxes.
Read the report “Ukrainian refugees in Latvia: available data, experience and public attitude” (in Latvian)
A good example
The Latvian agricultural sector requires regular seasonal work to maintain and increase production. The agricultural and processing company, 'Very Berry', has proactively hired four Cameroon refugees who have helped solve labour shortage issues and become reliable workforce members. All four worked in the agricultural field in Cameroon, which facilitated their incorporation into the company. Thanks to their performance and contributions, the company has decided to offer them permanent contracts, and they have decided to settle permanently in Latvia.
Read this article to learn about the experiences of Latvian companies which have hired refugees from Ukraine (in Latvian)
How many refugees are there in Latvia?
In 2025, there were around 31,000 Ukrainian refugees in Latvia, 54% are women and 22% are children. The population possesses a high level of education, with many refugees holding degrees in engineering, economics, and law.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
According to State Revenue Service data, as of the end of 2025, 10,449 Ukrainian nationals were registered as employed, while 1,295 were registered as unemployed. Most Ukrainians work in the manufacturing industry (17%); hospitality (13%); retail (12%) and construction (12%). Approximately 39.5% of the employed refugee population is engaged in unskilled occupations, including office, hotel, and other premises cleaners, kitchen staff, and merchandisers. Skilled workers and craftsmen account for 13.6%, while service and sales workers account for 9.6%. Equipment and machine operators account for 9.6%, and managers comprise 1.2%.
Read more about the employment of refugees on the page of the National Bureau of Statistics
What are the main challenges?
In the SEIS 2025, working-age respondents were also asked about the challenges they faced when seeking employment in Latvia. Approximately 23% reported no barriers. Among individuals who faced obstacles, the primary challenges included limited proficiency in Latvian, reported by 13%, and a deficiency of appropriate employment opportunities matching their skills or experience, reported by 7%. The issue of job–skill mismatch persisted, with 22% of employed respondents indicating that they were overqualified for their positions.
Did you know?
Latvian cultural organizations and companies in the arts and culture field can benefit from the SCCF Special Purpose Program, the "Creative Scholarship Program for Ukrainian Citizens." Its purpose is to provide support to Ukrainian citizens in their creative efforts in artistic domains such as Design and Architecture, Cinematographic Art, Cultural Heritage, Literature, Music and Dance Art (Ballet), Interdisciplinary Projects, Dramatic Arts (Theatre, Modern Dance and Circus), Traditional Culture and Visual Art. Individuals can be granted a one-time creative work scholarship of 600 EUR for 3 months.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
| Asylum-seekers | An individual who has applied for asylum in Latvia but still has not received a decision on their application. | Individuals who are asylum seekers have the right to work for 3 months after applying for asylum as long as a decision has yet to be made on their case. |
| Refugee status | An individual who, due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, cannot avail themselves of the protection of that country. | Individuals with a refugee status have the right to work in Latvia without a work permit, subject to language requirements (see below). |
| Subsidiary protection | An individual who does not qualify for a refugee but cannot return due to a fully justified fear that they will be tortured, subject to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or dignity, or will be punished, or that there is a serious and personal threat to their life, health, safety or freedom. | Individuals with subsidiary protection have the right to work in Latvia without a work permit, subject to language requirements (see below). |
| Temporary protection | Residents of Ukraine who have fled Ukraine due to the most recent conflict, and have applied for protection in Latvia. | Individuals with temporary protection have the right to work without a work permit. |
| Ukrainian passport holders | Residents from Ukraine who have been issued a travel document in Ukraine. | Ukrainian passport holders can start employment without a long-term visa for up to 30 days. If a resident of Ukraine starts working without a long-term visa, they need to apply for temporary protection no later than within 10 days. |
For more information on the legal framework, visit the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs' website.
Bear in mind
The employment of refugees in Latvia's public and private sectors is subject to strict legal regulations on language proficiency. Regulation No 733 sets the required state language proficiency levels for various professions. For example, highly qualified jobs require the highest state language proficiency levels – C1 and C2. In contrast, state language proficiency for skilled jobs and jobs requiring communication with customers need at least B1. In the private sector, refugees can be employed without a national language certificate only if their activities do not affect legitimate public interests (public security, health, morals, health protection, consumer and labour rights protection, workplace safety, and public administrative supervision).
Did you know?
Ukrainian medical practitioners, pharmacists and pharmacist assistants are eligible for a permit to provide short-term professional services for five years under the direct supervision of a Latvian national as long as communication is ensured (e.g. with the help of an interpreter). In the meantime, they are invited to start equating the qualification obtained in Ukraine with the qualification to be received in Latvia and learning Latvian.
How do I connect with refugee talent?
Employers interested in hiring refugees can post vacancies on the job portal of the National Employment Agency and mark them as suitable for Ukrainians using three unique tags under "Employment type". Other job portals include ss.lv, teirdarbs.lv, visidarbi.lv and cv.lv, which offer a special section for Ukrainian job seekers. Employers can also attend job fairs organised by municipalities that promote the employment of refugees. In addition, the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) offers several counselling, mediation, and integration support programs for international protection holders and foreigners.
What can I do to support refugee employees?
Employers who wish to facilitate the inclusion of refugees in their companies may need to invest additional resources in training the new hires and equipping them with the language and professional skills they need to succeed in their roles. Further information and counselling can be provided to ease the individual's entry into Latvian society and their new workplace, including through mentorship and buddy programs within the team. Companies may need to assist refugees with bureaucratic procedures, such as opening a bank account. Finally, individuals who are dealing with trauma and mental health issues may benefit from mental health support.
Useful resources
Employment agency
Employers can contact the National Employment Agency to take advantage of the various measures offered to stimulate the employment of refugees. These include informative support on recruiting Ukrainian refugees, assistance with candidate selection, and free Latvian language training for Ukrainian employees.
Subsidies
The Employment Agency provides several measures to incentivise employment and training. Companies can benefit from subsidies for on-the-job training, employer-requested training, and financial aid.
Network and recognition
Employers can join the “Diversity is Strength" initiative, which provides support measures to promote an inclusive working environment and diversity management. Employers can attend webinars and events, get a free expert assessment of their organization's current situation, and receive diversity awards.
Ukraine to Latvia informational portal with resources for employment and other services
Guidelines for mentors working with asylum seekers, refugees and people with alternative status (in Latvian)
The Integration and Inclusion Agency of Latvia provides useful guidance on employment in Latvia.