Homeschooling in Latvia
Legal up to grade 6 with school partnership and health/psych justification.
Homeschooling is legal in Latvia with authorization for grades 1-6 under supervision of an accredited school. Parents must submit a written application with medical or psychological justification to the school principal. The child must meet school evaluation standards annually.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
annual
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Compulsory education ages 7–16 or until basic education completion.
- As of 2026, grades 1–6 home education is restricted and requires municipal government assessment.
- Home or distance education in grades 1–6 permitted for only one academic year.
- Municipal government (not school principal) now decides admissibility for grades 1–6 home education under 2026 amendments.
- Assessment must confirm education form serves child's best interests; specific criteria to be set by Cabinet of Ministers.
- Exceptions: students whose families have relocated abroad or whose parent/guardian performs diplomatic/consular service or represents Latvia in international organizations.
- Phased implementation: grade 1 from 2026/2027 academic year; full implementation by September 1, 2029.
- Combined (hybrid) education model details to be established by Cabinet of Ministers.
Legal Framework
Izglītības likums (Education Law) governs home education (mājmācība) in Latvia. As of 2026, amendments to the Education Law restrict distance learning and home education for grades 1–6, effective progressively from the 2027/2028 academic year (grade 1 from 2026/2027). The responsible authority is the Ministry of Education and Science (Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija), with implementation details to be set by the Cabinet of Ministers (Ministru kabinets).[3][4][5]
Filing Requirements
What to file
Written application
When
Before academic year start
Where
Municipal government
How to submit
In writing
What to include
- • Justification (health/psych), home conditions affirmation
Post-2026; school coordination required
How to Get Started
- 1
Submit application to municipal government with justification
- 2
Obtain approval confirming child's best interests
- 3
Coordinate with accredited school for supervision
- 4
Begin with school-approved plan
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Official recognition
- ✓School diploma access
Cons
- •High regulation
- •Temporary only
- •Municipal discretion
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · LV homeschool law guide