Booking child models in Latvia.
What the official sources say about permits, hours, school, supervision and earnings for models under 18. Checked October 2026.
Who decides
Valsts darba inspekcija (State Labour Inspectorate).
Permit or licence
In exceptional cases a child may be employed as a performer in cultural, art, sport and advertising events. This needs written consent from one parent or guardian and a State Labour Inspectorate permit. The work must not harm the child's safety, health, morals or development, or delay schooling (Labour Law art. 37, per VDI). The employer applies in writing to the Inspectorate for its location, with the parent's consent. The application gives the child's details, type, place and length of work, planned work and rest time, and workplace check results (Cabinet Regulation, point 2). The Inspectorate may ask the school to confirm schooling will not suffer (point 3.1). It decides and informs the employer within 5 days of receiving the application (point 4).
Age bands
A child is under 15, or under 18 and still in basic education. A teenager (pusaudzis) is 15 to 18 and not a child (Labour Law art. 37, per VDI). From 13, children may do light work outside the permit regime with parental consent.
Working hours
For child performers the permit sets the work and rest time (Cabinet Regulation, point 5.4). For children 13 and over in general: during the school year no more than 2 hours a day and 10 a week. In school holidays no more than 4 hours a day and 20 a week, or 7 a day and 35 a week from age 15 (Labour Law art. 132(2), per VDI). Under 18: 5 day week, a break of at least 30 minutes after 4.5 hours, no night work or overtime (VDI).
School
The work must not delay the child's schooling. The Inspectorate may ask the school for a statement (point 3.1).
Chaperone and supervision
Not stated in the sources checked. The Inspectorate may write specific protection measures into the permit (point 7).
Earnings
Children are paid according to the work done (VDI). No trust or set aside rule is stated in the sources checked.
Good to know
The permit must state that the child may not be employed in a list of situations. These include events involving assessment of the child's outward appearance (point 6.30) and places that make or show erotic or pornographic products (point 6.29). Under 18s may only be hired after a prior medical exam, repeated yearly (Labour Law art. 37(6), per VDI). Travel for work needs a parent's written consent (art. 53(2), per VDI).