The Latvian government has approved changes to the law on support for Ukrainian civilians, which will reduce the amount of social assistance for Ukrainian citizens. According to the new decisions, funding for the program is set at €65 million for 2025, while the amount will decrease to €39.7 million in 2026. This has prompted a review of the list of services and measures that will be provided to Ukrainians residing in the country.
This is reported by Finway
Changes to One-Time Assistance
Currently, Ukrainians who are employed or starting their own businesses in Latvia are entitled to a one-time cash payment equivalent to one minimum monthly wage. However, considering the active participation of Ukrainian citizens in the Latvian labor market and the availability of other general mechanisms for employment support, the government has decided that the continued provision of this assistance is no longer relevant. The final approval of these changes is to be made by the Latvian parliament.
Trends in Migration and Employment of Ukrainians
The flow of Ukrainian citizens to Latvia remains stable — approximately 500-600 individuals receive temporary protection status each month. Employment figures also show positive dynamics: in June of this year, 9,909 Ukrainians were in employment. Since 2022, there has been a gradual increase in the number of employed Ukrainian citizens and their incomes.
“Given that Ukrainians are participating in the Latvian labor market and engaging in economic activities, as well as the existence of other general mechanisms for employment support, the continuation of this support has lost its relevance.”
Meanwhile, Poland emphasizes that the country can no longer indefinitely accept new Ukrainian refugees. The Polish authorities plan to focus on the integration and adaptation of those Ukrainians who are already on its territory. Currently, about 1.5 million Ukrainian citizens reside in Poland.