Latvia proposes discounts for timely payment of administrative fines

Latvia’s Ministry of Justice has proposed reducing administrative fines for people who pay them on time, LSM reports. The measure is intended to encourage timely and voluntary payment while reducing the administrative burden on state institutions and courts.

The ministry’s proposals were included in an information report that the government took note of on Tuesday. They also call for broader opportunities to defer or pay fines in instalments when people face objective financial difficulties, as well as for the enforcement process to be automated as far as possible.

Data show that administrative fines are generally enforced at a high rate in Latvia. From 2021 to 2025, about 85% of imposed administrative fines were enforced. Of those, 86% were paid voluntarily and 14% were recovered through compulsory measures.

Enforcement rates are particularly high for road traffic violations recorded by technical devices without stopping the vehicle, as well as violations of stopping and parking rules. About 99% of such fines are enforced. The enforcement rate is also about 99% when a person has received a conditional partial exemption from paying a fine.

The Ministry of Justice says the system could nevertheless be made simpler and more efficient by reducing the need for compulsory recovery, manual work by institutions and the administrative burden on individuals.

One proposed solution would follow the principle of “pay sooner, pay less”. In certain cases, people could pay 80% of the imposed fine if they did not appeal the decision and paid within the specified deadline. For example, if a fine of 100 euros were imposed and all conditions were met, the person would pay 80 euros.

The option would not automatically apply to all offences or offenders. It is not planned for repeat offenders or people who commit serious administrative offences, including driving under the influence or substantially exceeding the permitted speed limit.

More flexible arrangements are also proposed for people who cannot pay a fine immediately because of financial difficulties. The period for deferring payment would be extended from the current one month to six months, while the period during which a fine could be paid in instalments would be extended from six months to one year.