Maternity benefit
Maternity benefit is granted to a socially insured woman for pregnancy and childbirth leave certified by a doctor's incapacity certificate B. The benefit is 80% of the average insured salary, paid in two parts — before and after birth (usually 56+56 calendar days). If the mother registered for medical care before the 12th week of pregnancy, the prenatal part is paid for 70 days; for complicated births or multiple babies, 14 days are added to the postnatal part — up to 140 days in total.
Who this applies to
Step by step
Get the incapacity certificate B
The doctor (usually a gynaecologist) issues certificate B electronically in the e-health system. If medical care started before the 12th week of pregnancy and continued throughout, prenatal leave is 70 days instead of 56.
Agree the leave with your employer
Inform your employer about the maternity leave. The employer reports the leave to the tax authority, and VSAA has access to this data — separate certificates are usually not needed.
Submit the application to VSAA
The easiest way is the e-service "E-iesniegums VSAA pakalpojumiem" on Latvija.gov.lv, logging in with internet banking, eID or eParaksts. You can also apply in person at any VSAA client centre or by post. Important: the benefit must be claimed within 6 months from the first day of leave.
Receive the benefit in two parts
The first part is paid for pregnancy leave (56 or 70 days), the second after birth (56 or 70 days; +14 days for complications or multiple babies). When maternity benefit ends, you can apply for parental benefit — we have a separate guide for it.
Common mistakes
Frequently asked questions
How much is the maternity benefit?
80% of your average insured salary, calculated over the 12-month period ending 2 months before the leave; severance pay and unused-holiday compensation are excluded.
Am I entitled if my employment has already ended?
Yes, if you were released no earlier than 60 days before the maternity leave started, or 210 days in the case of company liquidation.
When do the 140 days apply?
The maximum applies when the prenatal part is 70 days (registration before week 12) and 14 days are added to the postnatal part for complicated births or multiple babies.
Does the father get anything?
Yes — paternity benefit at 80% for 10 working days of leave granted for the child's birth, also claimed from VSAA within 6 months of the first day of leave.
Official sources
- VSAA — Maternitātes pabalsta piešķiršana un izmaksāšana
- Latvija.gov.lv — E-iesniegums VSAA pakalpojumiem
- Likums «Par maternitātes un slimības apdrošināšanu»