On 30 July 2026, the Council approved an amended recovery and resilience plan (RRP) for Latvia, following a reasoned request from the Latvian authorities on 21 July 2026 to adjust two measures that are partially no longer achievable due to objective circumstances. The amendment, proposed by the European Commission in document COM(2026)425, leaves the total financial contribution unchanged at EUR 1,969,244,522, which matches the updated maximum contribution for Latvia.
The revised plan modifies two measures. Under Component 5, Measure 5.2.1.r (Reform of Higher Education and Scientific Excellence and Governance) will be implemented through a better alternative that still achieves the original ambition. Under Component 1, Measure 1.2.1.2.i (Increasing energy efficiency in business as a combined financial instrument) is adjusted to reduce administrative burden and simplify the decision-making process while meeting the same objectives. The Commission assessed the amended plan and concluded that it continues to satisfy all criteria set out in Article 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, which governs the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The Council's implementing decision replaces the annex to its earlier decision of 13 July 2021, which originally approved Latvia's RRP. This is a formal, technical update rather than a change in the scale of EU support. The decision is addressed to the Republic of Latvia.
The amendment reflects a broader pattern of RRP adjustments across member states, where plans are being fine-tuned to reflect changed economic conditions and implementation realities. For Latvia, the two changes are designed to keep the reform and investment objectives intact while easing practical delivery. The higher education reform retains its focus on improving governance and scientific excellence, while the energy efficiency measure continues to support business investments but with a lighter administrative framework.
For stakeholders, the impact is moderate. Latvian businesses in the energy efficiency sector will face a simpler application process for combined financial instruments, potentially speeding up access to funds. Higher education institutions will see the reform proceed along a revised pathway, which could alter timelines or implementation details but not the overarching goals. National authorities in Latvia will benefit from reduced administrative burden in managing the energy efficiency measure. EU taxpayers and the Commission, meanwhile, see no change in the financial envelope, meaning the overall fiscal exposure remains as originally agreed.
The decision now takes effect, and Latvia will implement the amended measures under the existing monitoring and reporting framework of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. No further legislative steps are required at EU level, as the Council has already given its approval.