Homeschooling in Latvia
Latvia's Constitution makes basic education compulsory. Learning at home runs through a Latvian school, and for grades 1 to 6 it's allowed one school year at a time, for set reasons.
This guide covers what the law says, the 2026 Education Law changes, where an international online school fits, exams, costs, and university recognition.
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- Basic education, grades 1 to 9, is compulsory
- Family learning runs through a Latvian school
- New Education Law rules phase in from 2027
- The AIC assesses foreign qualifications for university
Is homeschooling legal in Latvia?
Not outside the school system. Family learning (mācības ģimenē) is a way of studying within a Latvian school, with the parents responsible for the learning at home.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Constitution (Satversme), article 112 | Everyone has the right to education, and basic education is compulsory |
| Cabinet Regulation No. 11 | A school head can allow a pupil in grades 1 to 6 to learn at home for one school year, with the parents responsible, when a doctor's certificate or a psychologist's conclusion shows it's needed |
| The same rules | A child's absence alone, such as travelling abroad with their parents, isn't a ground for family learning |
Basic education covers grades 1 to 9 and leads to the Certificate of Basic Education. The child stays enrolled at the Latvian school throughout, and the school follows the national curriculum and assesses the child's progress.
The 2026 Education Law changes
The Saeima adopted amendments to the Education Law in 2026 that tighten family learning and distance learning for grades 1 to 6.
Read the Saeima's announcement, in LatvianA municipality assessment
Grades 1 to 6 may learn in the family or by distance learning only if the municipality finds that special circumstances, whether social, health, access to education or others, make it in the child's best interests.
One school year at a time
The assessment covers one school year, and the municipality can extend it where there are grounds to continue. Under the draft rules, parents can appeal the decision.
Phase-in dates
The new distance-learning rules apply to grades 1 and 4 from 1 September 2027, grades 2 and 5 from 2028, and grades 3 and 6 from 2029.
Regulations still to come
Cabinet regulations on how municipalities assess applications were in public consultation in September 2026. The amendments also provide for education under parental guidance, with conditions to be set by the Cabinet of Ministers.
What this means for families using an online school
For a child of compulsory school age living in Latvia, an international online school on its own doesn't meet the basic education duty.
Grades 1 to 9
Basic education has to be completed through the Latvian system. CambriLearn isn't a registered Latvian school, so enrolling with us doesn't count.
After basic education
Once basic education is complete, general secondary education isn't compulsory, so older students can follow International GCSEs and A Levels online.
Latvian families living abroad
The amendments keep distance learning open for children who live abroad permanently, through Latvian schools. Families abroad also follow the rules of the country where they live.
Families who move often
If your child's education needs to move with you between countries, speak to a consultant about where you'll be living, because the rules depend on the country you live in.
Exams and qualifications for students in Latvia
Latvian certificates come through Latvian schools. International qualifications are sat at a centre that accepts private candidates.
| Route | Awarded by | How it works | Used for | At CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latvian basic and general secondary certificates | Latvian state, through the school | Completed through a Latvian school, including in family learning, with state exams | Latvian universities | Not offered |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level | Pearson Edexcel | Sat as a private candidate at a Pearson centre that accepts them, with CambriLearn's exam officers helping with registration | Latvian universities after AIC recognition, and universities abroad | Taught on the Pearson Edexcel pathway |
| Cambridge International GCSE, AS and A Level | Cambridge International | Sat at a centre that accepts private candidates | Latvian universities after AIC recognition, and universities abroad | Taught on the International British Curriculum |
| American High School Diploma | Score Academy Online, a Cognia-accredited school | Enrol with the school and complete coursework assessed online | US colleges, and Latvian universities after AIC recognition | Through sister school Score Academy Online on the US K-12 pathway |
Pearson's centre finder shows which approved centres consider private candidates. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A Level sciences are assessed through written papers, so no school laboratory is needed on exam day. For Cambridge, use Cambridge's private candidate guidance, and confirm a place before your child starts a course.
How much does CambriLearn cost for families in Latvia?
CambriLearn sets its fees per subject in US dollars, and books and exam entries are extra.
See every fee on the pricing pageThese are the International GCSE and A Level fees that apply to families in Latvia.
| Level and package | Per subject, per year | Per subject, per month (10 instalments) | Typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| International GCSE, Standard | $565 | $66.67 | $2,825 for 5 subjects |
| International GCSE, Premium | $1,115 | $131.57 | $5,575 for 5 subjects |
| AS or A Level, Standard | $605 | $71.39 | $1,815 for 3 subjects |
| AS or A Level, Premium | $1,300 | $153.40 | $3,900 for 3 subjects |
Paying for the year upfront costs 15.25% less than ten instalments. A once-off registration fee applies to new enrolments. Textbooks aren't included, and exam entries are paid to the exam centre. CambriCommunity clubs, events and meetups come with every enrolment.
Per year figures are the 2026 fees paid upfront, and monthly figures are the same fees paid in ten instalments. Primary, Lower Secondary and US K-12 fees, and the few subjects priced separately, are on the pricing page.
Can students with international qualifications go to university in Latvia?
Yes. The Academic Information Centre (AIC) assesses foreign qualifications, and the university decides on admission using the AIC's statement.
How AIC recognition worksThe AIC statement
The AIC issues a statement saying which Latvian certificate a foreign qualification can be equated to. It's a paid service, so apply well before application deadlines.
The university decides
Latvian universities make the admission decision based on the AIC's statement, and each sets its own entry requirements for the programme.
Universities abroad
UK universities accept A Levels through UCAS, and the American High School Diploma from Score Academy Online supports applications to US colleges.
Questions parents ask about homeschooling in Latvia
If your question isn't here, a consultant can take you through your options in a fifteen-minute call.
Book a free consultationIs homeschooling legal in Latvia?
Not outside the school system. Basic education is compulsory under article 112 of the Constitution, and learning at home runs through a Latvian school, one school year at a time, for set reasons.
When can a child learn at home in Latvia?
Under the current rules, a school head can allow a pupil in grades 1 to 6 to learn at home for one school year when a doctor's certificate or a psychologist's conclusion shows it's needed.
What changed in 2026?
Amendments to the Education Law let grades 1 to 6 learn in the family or by distance learning for one school year only if the municipality finds special circumstances make it in the child's best interests. The distance-learning rules phase in from September 2027.
Can we travel and keep our child in family learning?
Travel alone isn't a ground. Latvian guidance says the current rules don't allow family learning based only on a child's absence during the school year.
Does an international online school count as school in Latvia?
Not for a child of compulsory school age living in Latvia. CambriLearn isn't a registered Latvian school, so enrolling with us doesn't meet the basic education duty.
Can older students study International GCSEs and A Levels online?
Once basic education is complete, general secondary education isn't compulsory, so older students can follow an international curriculum online and sit exams as private candidates.
What about Latvian families living abroad?
The 2026 amendments keep distance learning open for children who live abroad permanently, through Latvian schools. Families abroad also follow the rules of the country where they live.
Where can students sit Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge exams?
At a centre that accepts private candidates. Pearson's centre finder shows which approved centres consider private candidates, and CambriLearn's exam officers help with registration.
Will Latvian universities accept A Levels?
Yes, after recognition. The Academic Information Centre issues a statement comparing the qualification with Latvian certificates, and the university decides on admission based on it.
What time are CambriLearn's live lessons in Latvia?
Live lessons are timetabled in South African time. Latvia is on the same time as South Africa in winter and one hour ahead in summer, so there's little time difference to work around. Lessons are recorded for students who can't attend.
How much does CambriLearn cost?
International GCSE subjects on the Standard package cost $565 a year each when paid upfront, and AS or A Level subjects cost $605. Exam entries are paid to the exam centre.
Talk to a consultant about your options
Fifteen minutes, no obligation. Tell us your child's age and grade, where you live, and the universities they're aiming for, and a consultant will explain what CambriLearn can and can't do for your family.
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This guide summarises Latvia's Constitution, the Education Law as amended in 2026 and current Cabinet regulations on family learning, with information from the Academic Information Centre. It is general information rather than legal advice, and families living in Latvia should check their situation with their municipality and school. Last checked 27 September 2026. CambriLearn is Cognia-accredited and an approved Pearson Edexcel centre. It is not a registered Latvian school and doesn't teach the Latvian national curriculum. The US K-12 pathway is delivered through sister school Score Academy Online, which is Cognia-accredited and offers NCAA-approved courses. CambriLearn is not a registered Cambridge school and is not affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education.