Minimum Wage in Latvia
Latvia's minimum wage is €780 gross a month for normal working time in 2026, under Cabinet Regulation No. 656 as amended on 19 November 2025. The hourly minimum is the monthly amount divided by the normal working hours of the month. The 2027 rate will be published by the government.
Latvia sets a national minimum wage as a gross monthly amount for normal working time. The Cabinet of Ministers fixes it in Regulation No. 656, which also sets how the minimum hourly rate is calculated.
Latvia minimum wage and employer cost, 2026
Latvia minimum wage against pay and tax thresholds
What an employer pays on top
Employers pay 23.59% social contributions on top of gross pay. At the 2026 minimum wage, that is €780 x 23.59% = €184.00 a month, for a cost of €964.00. The employee pays 10.5%, or €81.90, withheld from gross pay. Income tax of 25.5% applies after the monthly non-taxable minimum of €550 in 2026, which rises to €570 from 2027 under the income tax law. The minimum wage for 2027 had not been set in the regulation on 3 November 2026.
Read the full breakdown in our guide to hiring in Latvia. Hiring in Latvia? We place remote professionals across Europe, with a shortlist of 3 within 21 days. See how placement works.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and collective agreements can set different terms. Confirm with a local accountant or lawyer before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Latvia in 2026?
€780 gross a month for normal working time, under Cabinet Regulation No. 656.
What will the minimum wage be in Latvia in 2027?
Not yet set in the regulation on 3 November 2026. The rate will be published by the government.
Is there an hourly minimum wage in Latvia?
Yes. It is the monthly minimum divided by the normal working hours of the month. In a month with 168 normal working hours, that is €4.64 an hour.
What does a minimum wage employee cost an employer?
At €780 a month, employer contributions of 23.59% add €184.00, for €964.00 a month.
How does the minimum wage compare with average pay in Latvia?
The 2026 minimum is 43.0% of the 2025 average gross wage of €1,815, and 53.4% of the 2025 median of €1,462.
Sources
- likumi.lv, Cabinet Regulation No. 656 on the minimum monthly wage. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- likumi.lv, Law on State Social Insurance, section 18. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- likumi.lv, Law on Personal Income Tax, section 12 and transitional point 197. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- VID, Minimum state social insurance contributions. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- CSB, Average monthly and median wages, DSV010. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
