Living and working in Latvia
Latvia is a beautiful Baltic country. The vibrant capital city of Riga is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. But the country is also full of forests, lakes, and rivers. The perfect place to find complete peace in nature.
Since the country became part of the EU in 2004, it has become much easier to start living and working in Latvia. The last couple of years, a growing expat community has formed in Latvia. You can find a lot of interesting job opportunities here. So keep reading to find out everything about living and working in Latvia!
Latest available jobs in Latvia
Danish Online Game Presenter – Riga
The job is for an Online Game Presenter in Riga, where you will present casino games to online players. Fluency in Danish and basic English is required, and no prior experience is necessary. Development opportunities within the company, like becoming a Team Manager, Pit Boss, Schedule Specialist, QA, Live Support, and more.
Polish Online Game Presenter – Riga
Do you speak Polish and English and do you have excellent communication skills? And do you enjoy leading games, interacting with players, and being a host in front of the camera? Then apply for this job!
Italian Online Game Presenter – Riga
Do you speak Italian and English and do you have excellent communication skills? And do you enjoy leading games, interacting with players, and being a host in front of the camera? Then apply for this job!
Currency
The Euro (€) is the official currency in Latvia like most other European countries
Famous people
Some notable Latvian people are Ernests Gulbis, Mark Rothko, Agata Mucuniece
Population
Latvia has a population of ~1.8 million people, the majority lives in Riga
Typical food
Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi (stew with ”chickpeas”), cabbage soup, Ābolu Plātsmaize (Apple Flatbread)
Avg. working week
Latvia has a 40 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Latvia is located in north-eastern and borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania. The capital city is Riga.
Languages
The official language is Latvian, and they use latin script
Healthcare
Latvia has a low public spending on health. Citizens of Latvia have free public healthcare services.
What you need to know about working in Latvia
Working in Latvia is a great experience, especially for expats:
- There are many jobs in customer service, IT support, sales and language based jobs in Riga.
- The economy in Latvia is improving and the IT field and tourism sector is increasing its activity.
- Salaries in Latvia varies whether you are in Riga or in the rest of the country. In Riga you may find the highest salaries with an average of €1.300 a month, while in the rest of the country the average is about €850 a month.
- The work culture in Latvia is influenced by other European cultures in general. They are very open to expats and the majority of their workforce comes from expats.
- However they value privacy which means that they usually don’t appreciate questions about family and their private life at work. We think Latvia is one of the best European countries to work in.
Working in Riga
Riga is the capital of Latvia and more than half of the population of the country lives here. It has a perfect location with a harbour in the Baltic sea, which makes Riga an attractive destination for a growing economy. Riga is called “The Smart City” because of their economical growth in 2014. The leading fields are trade accounting, transport and manufacturing, but you can also find opportunities in tourism.
Expats in Latvia
Latvia is a great destination for expats. The diversity is big so you can find plenty of expat groups on social media. Don’t hesitate to socialise and make friends with your colleagues. They are in a situation similar to yours, so change some experience while having a cup of coffee or a pint of beer. Look if something interesting is happening in your neighbourhood, expat communities often organise meetings to make new friends in a foreign city.
Rent prices in Latvia
Most of the accommodations for rent in Latvia are already furnished, so you don’t have to worry about buying furniture etc. However, it’s still good to start looking for a place to stay before you will move there. The average monthly rent prices in Latvia will be something like this:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €450-€700+
- 1-bedroom aparment outside the city center: €300-€450
- Room in a shared apartment: €250-€400
Taxes and other things you need to fix in Latvia
Once you arrive in Latvia you need to apply for a Tax Identification Number. It’s your social security system number which contains 11 digits. With this number, you are entitled to use social security systems such as the unemployment fund. Latvia has adopted the Personal Income Tax system (PIT). This means that the progressive rate is based on an annual income:
- Up to €105,300 a year: 25,5%
- Above €105,300 a year: 33%
And these are other things you have to fix when you start living in Latvia:
- Residence permit; register if you live in Latvia longer than 90 days
- Register your address with the local municipality
- Open up a Latvian bank account; needed for salary, rent, utilities
- Fix health insurance; is required if you work or study
- Get a Latvian phone number
Popular cities in Latvia
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Latvia
Latvia is a hidden gem in the Baltic region, where beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and warm-hearted people create a unique experience. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of Riga with its enchanting blend of Gothic, Art Nouveau, and mediaeval architecture.
Latvia’s natural beauty will leave you breathless. Explore the beaches along the Baltic Sea, where golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see. Or go into the calming forests of Gauja National Park, where you can hike, bike, and spot rare wildlife amidst lush greenery.
5 fun facts about Latvia
- Over half of the territory of Latvia is covered by forests. It’s one of the greenest countries in the world.
- It is said that Latvia is a WiFi paradise. Latvians can enjoy one of the fastest internet accesses in Europe
- Latvians flag is one of the oldest in the world. It was established back in the year 1280
- Their national sport is ice hockey
- Latvian women are the tallest in Europe, and one of the tallest in the whole world! The average height for ladies is 170cm.
Cost of living in Latvia
Costs of living, similarly to costs of accommodation, are relatively low. Below you can find examples of basic expenses in Latvia:
- Groceries: €200-€300 a month
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €8-€10
- Coffee in a café: €3-€4
- Beer in a bar (0.5L): €4-€6
- Gym membership: €25-€45 a month
- Cinema ticket: €8-€12
Typical food in Latvia
The Latvian cuisine can be characterised as mildly spicy. Latvians don’t use a lot of spices in general. It’s a heavy cuisine with a lot of calories. Latvians love potatoes and beans and their favourite meat is pork. Beer is their most loved alcoholic drink. The national cuisine of Latvia is far from being called plain or boring. These are some of their most popular dishes:
- Karbonāde (breaded pork chops)
- Aukstā zupa (cold beet soup)
- Kartupeļu pankūkas (potato pancakes with sour cream and berry jam)
- Frikadeļu zupa (meatball soup)
- Debesmanna (cranberry pudding)
Still not convinced about living and working in Latvia?
If you take the leap and start living and working in Latvia, you will explore a lot about the country. It is a country of festivities and traditions:
- Experience Midsummer’s Eve, when Latvians celebrate the longest day of the year with bonfires, singing, and flower wreaths.
- Join in the colourful Riga Carnival, where lively parades and street performances bring the city to life with music and laughter.
- Riga is known for its lively nightlife with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues to suit different tastes.
- The city has a bustling central district with a wide range of bars and pubs offering local and international drinks.
- The nightlife scene also includes nightclubs playing various genres of music, from electronic and dance to jazz and live performances.
- Riga’s nightlife is particularly vibrant during weekends, with many venues staying open until the early hours of the morning.
Latvia offers a range of attractions and beautiful sights to explore:
- Riga, which is known for its well-preserved mediaeval old town, filled with cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and charming squares. Visit the iconic Riga Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, and the impressive Art Nouveau district.
- Nature lovers can venture to Gauja National Park, where they can hike, explore caves, and visit Turaida Castle.
- The coastal town of Jurmala is renowned for its sandy beaches, picturesque pine forests, and charming wooden architecture. Furthermore, Riga is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings, a visual feast for architecture enthusiasts.
Latvia has a history of tumultuous development for being just between western and eastern Europe, which has resulted in clear signs of foreign activity. Latvians are proud of their country and their traditions from their ancestors:
- You can experience the Latvian folklore during the Summer Solstice or “Jani” holiday when they show many of their cultural traits in music, dance, arts and more.
- In Riga and Sigulda you can experience the traditional Opera during festivities if you’re a fan of music and performance.
- Don’t forget to indulge yourself in the sauna culture of Latvia.
Living and working in Latvia can be the perfect experience, if it suits you. Hopefully now you have a clear image of this. You can apply, even today, if you feel like working in Latvia is the adventure you need in your life!
FAQ
Yes and no, if you plan to stay for longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a work permit.
Latvian is moderately difficult to learn for non-native speakers. It is a Baltic language and has its own unique grammar and pronunciation rules. The language uses grammatical cases, which can be challenging for learners accustomed to languages without such a feature. However, with dedication and practice, it is certainly possible to learn Latvian. Many Latvians also speak English, especially in urban areas and the tourism industry, so communication in English is generally possible for visitors.
Latvia has a temperate climate with distinct seasons:
- Spring: 5-15°C. Slowly warming, snow melts, flowers bloom.
- Summer: 16-22°C. Mild to warm.
- Autumn: 5-15°C. Leaves change color, nature is very picturesque.
- Winter: –5-0°C. Cold and snowy.
Latvia has very good bus connections and it is easy to use their public transport. The average prices of public transport in Latvia:
- 24-hour unlimited ticket: ~€5
- 3-day unlimited ticket: ~€8
- 5-day unlimited ticket: ~€10
- Monthly pass: €30-€40
Apart from their national language, Latvians speak Russian and English, however, the second one is used more commonly for the business and tourism sector and for younger generations. For this reason it’s good to know at least the basics of Latvian. To make the most of your Latvian experience there are free language courses for foreigners. You can also take online courses before moving!