State Aid for Self-Employed Persons in Latvia and Other European Union Member States

National competitiveness is based on competitive operators whose successful operation is dependent on favourable business environment. Such an assurance is the mission of the public administration. Regulatory environment, in which an entrepreneur operates, is as important as a relevant infrastructure and possible support for the business start-ups. Self-employment is a form of employment associable with a person's greater freedom of choice as well as increased risk chance. Even though self-employment is usually considered a part of employment policy, in a diverse sense, it can be regarded to as a first step towards forming a business. There is a wide range of labour market policies and measures, which support self-employment in the countries covered by the European Employment Observatory (EEO), such as financial support, subsidies, loans or microfinance, and advice; measures to reduce administrative burdens etc. The aim of the research is to explore the Latvian government and other European Union (EU) Member States support measures for self-employed persons. The authors conclude that almost all EEO countries have policies to support self-employment. Public support plays a major role in each country's aid policy and it is important for self-employed persons.