Latvia’s government extends state support for education of Ukrainian children and youth

28.08.2026, 11:55 rubryka.com

Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science has clarified the conditions for state funding for the 2026/2027 academic year. The support applies to Ukrainian children and young people registered in Latvia's State Education Information System, or VIIS, with the substatus "Ukrainas civiliedzīvotājs."

For students registered in the system from January 1 to September 1, 2026, funding will be available at 50% of the amount set by regulations.

For those registered on or after September 2, 2026, funding will be provided in full. The funding covers the period from September 1 to December 31, 2026.

In the 2026/2027 academic year, educational institutions will develop individual plans for students with the substatus "Ukrainas civiliedzīvotājs" who are receiving general education in grades 1-8 and 10-11, as well as those studying in years 1-3 of vocational secondary education. When preparing the plans, schools will take into account each student's previous knowledge and skills. If necessary, they will adapt expected learning outcomes so that the educational process meets the individual needs of the child or young person.

The additional state funding should help educational institutions provide students with the necessary support, ensure they can fully complete educational programs and learn Latvian, and reduce the impact of the language barrier on their studies.

According to Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science, Ukrainian children aged five and older will also be able to study Latvian free of charge in 2026 under a state program. A separate procedure will apply to Ukrainian civilians who enroll in vocational education programs on general terms from September 1, 2026. Their studies will be funded in the same way as those of other students, so no separate additional funding is planned for this purpose.

As of July 13, 2026, Latvia's education system had registered 3,482 people with the substatus "Ukrainas civiliedzīvotājs." Among them:

Background

Latvia has supported the education of Ukrainian children since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Latvian state gives Ukrainian children and young people the opportunity to study in the country's schools and vocational education institutions and provides state funding to support the learning process.

At the beginning of 2026, Latvia's government had already allocated more than 5.2 million euros to pay teachers and fund educational measures for Ukrainian civilians through August 31, 2026. The new amendments set the funding procedure for the start of the new academic year.

It should be noted that Latvian medical institutions are increasing the number of Ukrainian soldiers they accept for treatment and rehabilitation. They made this decision based on the experience they have gained in working with patients affected by the war.

Latvian medical and rehabilitation facilities expanded the patient admission program, taking into account the experience they have accumulated while treating and rehabilitating people injured as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Since the start of the war, Riga East Clinical University Hospital has provided care to 985 patients brought from Ukraine.

Earlier, reports also said that Riga is hosting a temporary exhibition of specialized vehicles used by Latvian volunteers to rescue wounded Ukrainian soldiers on the front line. The event aims to draw the European community's attention to the needs of medical evacuation in Ukraine and raise charitable donations.