MoJ: Adult young people studying abroad will also be able to receive maintenance payments

Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere explains: “The amendments uphold the principle of equality by providing that, from 1 September this year, young people up to the age of 21 whose permanent place of residence is Latvia, but who receive basic education, secondary education, special education or vocational education abroad will also be entitled to receive state-guaranteed maintenance payments. The changes confirm that all young people, regardless of the location of their educational institution, have the right to receive social support in the form of maintenance payments if one of their parents fails to provide them and comply with the law. The need for maintenance payments is equally important for students studying in Latvia and for those who choose to study abroad.”

            The regulations approved by the government will enter into force on 1 September 2024, simultaneously with the law “Amendments to the Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law”, which the Saeima supported in its final reading on 30 May this year. Until now, the law had required that a young person who had reached the age of majority obtain basic education, secondary education, special education or vocational education in Latvia; this restriction has now been removed from the law. The amendments are available in the public portal for draft legislation.