Latvia: General Overview
Latvia is a Baltic country in Northern Europe, bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia, with a coastline on the Baltic Sea. Its capital, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic states and known for its UNESCO-listed Art Nouveau architecture and medieval Old Town.
- Capital: Riga
- Population: around 1.8 million
- Official language: Latvian
- Currency: Euro (EUR), Latvia adopted the euro in 2014
- Government: parliamentary republic
- EU membership: joined the European Union in 2004
Latvia is part of the Schengen Area, allowing border-free travel across most of the EU. Its economy centers on services, logistics and transit (thanks to its Baltic Sea ports), timber and wood products, and a growing IT and fintech sector.
Cost of Living
Latvia remains one of the more affordable EU countries, though Riga costs noticeably more than the rest of the country. A single person in Riga typically needs around €1,200 to €1,600 a month to live comfortably, including rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
- 1-bedroom rent, central Riga: approximately €600 to €800 a month
- 1-bedroom rent, outer districts: approximately €400 to €600 a month
- Groceries (1 person): approximately €250 to €350 a month
- Public transport pass: relatively inexpensive compared to Western Europe
Riga remains considerably cheaper than Western European capitals like Paris, Amsterdam, or Berlin, and is broadly comparable to, or slightly cheaper than, other Baltic and Central European capitals.
Places to Visit
- Riga Old Town (Vecrīga): a UNESCO World Heritage medieval center with Gothic churches and cobbled streets
- Riga Art Nouveau District: home to one of the largest and best-preserved collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe
- Rundāle Palace: a grand 18th-century Baroque palace often called the "Versailles of Latvia," with elaborate interiors and French-style gardens
- Sigulda and the Gauja Valley: a scenic area nicknamed the "Switzerland of Latvia," home to the Turaida Museum Reserve and medieval castle ruins
- Gauja National Park: Latvia's largest national park, popular for hiking, cycling, and adventure sports
- Jūrmala: a seaside resort town just outside Riga, known for its long sandy beach and wooden villas
Universities & Education
Latvia has a well-established higher education system centered on Riga, and has become a notably popular destination for international students, especially in medicine and engineering.
- University of Latvia: the country's largest and oldest university, founded in 1919, offering a broad range of programs from sciences to law and the humanities
- Riga Technical University (RTU): the oldest technical university in the Baltic states, founded in 1862, and Latvia's largest university by student numbers, including a high proportion of international students
- Rīga Stradiņš University: a public university founded in 1950 specializing in medicine and health sciences, including dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and public health, popular with international medical students
Residence & Visas
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have freedom of movement in Latvia and do not need a visa. If staying longer than 90 days, they need to register their residence with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP).
Non-EU citizens generally apply for a national long-stay visa or a temporary residence permit (TRP) before or shortly after arrival, through PMLP or a Latvian consulate. Common routes include employment, business investment, and study, and applicants typically need proof of funds, health insurance, and accommodation.
- Permanent residence: generally available after holding a temporary residence permit for 5 years, provided the holder has been physically present in Latvia for at least 4 years and 2 months out of that period
- EU long-term resident status: available after at least 5 years of legal, continuous residence, similar to other EU member states
- Note: Latvia's residency programs currently exclude applicants who are Russian or Belarusian citizens
Immigration rules change and individual circumstances vary. Treat this as a starting point, not legal advice, and confirm current requirements with an official source before making decisions.
Getting a Job
- Minimum wage: €780 a month gross as of January 2026
- Average salary: around €1,650 to €1,850 a month gross nationally, with Riga averaging noticeably higher, around €2,400, than the roughly €1,700 typical outside the capital
- Unemployment rate: moderate, generally in the 6 to 7 percent range
- Key industries: logistics and transit, IT and fintech (Riga has a growing tech and startup scene), timber and wood products, and financial services
Riga is the main hub for English-speaking work, particularly in IT, shared-service centers, and fintech, though Latvian (and often Russian) remain important for many day-to-day and public-sector roles.
Healthcare
Latvia runs a tax-funded public healthcare system administered by the National Health Service (NVD), organized around a GP gatekeeper model where residents register with a family doctor who refers them to specialists and state-funded hospital services.
- EU, EEA, and Swiss visitors: can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access necessary state healthcare during temporary stays
- Residents and workers: those who pay Latvian social insurance contributions (through employment) are generally entitled to state-funded healthcare; some services still carry co-payments
- Private healthcare: a well-developed and relatively affordable private sector exists, popular for faster appointments, and Riga is often cited as one of the more inexpensive EU capitals for private care
