You have the right to reception conditions that will provide a dignified standard of living.
The Reception Conditions Directive imposes an obligation on all Member States to ensure that the material reception conditions of asylum-seekers provide an adequate standard of living, which guarantees their subsistence and protects their physical and mental health.
As an asylum-seeker, you may move freely within the territory of Latvia, with some limitations. During your proceedings you will reside in the accommodation centre for applicants for international protection, located in Mucenieki. You are free to move around during the day, but if you wish to leave the accommodation centre for more than 24 hours you must inform the staff.
If you have sufficient financial resources to ensure your accommodation and support you may also reside outside the accommodation centre.
important The provision of financial support to asylum-seekers is subject to actual residence in the reception centre. You will not receive financial support if you live away from the centre.
In some limited cases outlined in the law, your freedom of movement may be restricted by detention. Read about detention in the asylum context.
At the accommodation centre, applicants are allocated apartments or rooms taking into account family unity, gender, language and cultural concerns. Each apartment or each floor (in case of individual rooms) has its own kitchen available for applicants to cook. In general applicants are responsible for buying their own food and hygienic supplies. The monthly financial allowance is set in accordance with the subsistence limit in Latvia.
Asylum-seekers who are subject to the obligation to attend school are guaranteed access to education within three months of the submission of their application for international protection.
Asylum-seekers may work in Latvia if the decision on their application for international protection has not entered into force within three months of the submission of the application, due to reasons beyond the applicant’s control. There is no special work permit required and the date when the asylum-seeker is allowed to start working is marked on their asylum-seekers’ ID card.
The accommodation centre for applicants for international protection is responsible for arranging access to medical examinations and necessary health services, including psychiatric assistance, which in serious cases is free for asylum-seekers.
The specific situation of vulnerable persons has to be taken into account when organising the reception of asylum-seekers. Vulnerable persons are considered to be:
- minors
- unaccompanied minors
- disabled people
- elderly people
- pregnant women
- single parents with minor children
- victims of human trafficking
- persons with serious illnesses
- persons with mental disorders
- persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.
Appropriate support must be provided to applicants with special reception needs during the whole asylum procedure.
If you believe that your right to certain reception conditions has been violated, you may submit a complaint to the head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs or the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Read more about complaint mechanisms.