Business Support Programme for Returnees
The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM), in collaboration with planning regions and local governments, will continue to implement support measures for returnees to promote entrepreneurship in 2026. Total state funding for this purpose in 2026 is set at 57,488 euros.
Support will be available in the Riga and Latgale planning regions:
- Within the Riga planning region, applications for the competition may be submitted in the following municipalities: Ādaži, Ķekava, Ropaži, and Salaspils counties;
- In the Latgale planning region, support will be available in the following municipalities: the city of Daugavpils, as well as the counties of Balvi, Krāslava, Līvāni and Rēzekne.
Information on the announced competitions will be available on the websites of the respective regions and municipalities.
The conditions for receiving support are following:
- State support is granted to a returnee for the establishment of a new business or the creation of a new job for a returnee - 8,000 euros per project per year. Additional municipal funding may be available, but the applicant must also provide their own co-financing.
- The following are eligible for support:
- a returnee who has returned to live in Latvia no more than 2 years ago and has spent at least 2 years abroad;
- an employer who creates a new job for a returnee.
- Support may be used for:
- Fixed assets;
- Wages (including labour taxes (personal income tax and/or mandatory state social insurance contributions)).
- A new service must be developed at the regional level.
Apply for the competition announced by the municipality in accordance with the rules by completing the project application and submitting the required information.
We encourage you to keep an eye out for other municipal business support competitions and bring your ideas to life!
