Bordered by Estonia, Russia, and Lithuania, Latvia is in the Baltic region in the North of Europe. Having a population of over two million, about 39% of its population are expats from neighboring countries, with the largest group of expats being Russians. In 2014, the capital city Riga was named the European capital of culture, for its diverse culture and large expatriate community. The official spoken language is Latvian, but many people speak Russian and English as second languages.
Are you thinking of relocating to Latvia?
Is it your first time going, or have you visited the humid city of Riga and found it irresistible?
If you are thinking of relocating there, then you should know a few things before leaving. To register as a resident in Latvia, you must be earning an income of at least 200 Lats a month. Moving to a foreign country such as Latvia is a bit stressful. You will have to learn the language to communicate better, sort an accommodations before leaving, get employment, et cetera. Then there are the monthly bills for the winter heating. Without an idea of all these and more, living in Latvia might become engulfed in an instant.
This guide hopes to be an aid in your relocation to Latvia. Below are five things to note before traveling.
Employment
If you want to live comfortably in Latvia, you should get a job offer before traveling. However, if your purpose is to study instead, then you should focus on that unless you would like to work while studying. Due to the growing economy of the country, despite its size, Latvia has many job opportunities for people with desired skills. Make sure you have the required qualifications to apply for a job. Persons looking to get a job while in Latvia should make research online on the types of jobs available to them.
Language
An immigrant looking to travel to Latvia must be able to speak either Latvian or any of the second languages such as Russian or English. Without this, communicating with other residents might hinder better integration and your work. If you are relocating to Latvia, you should ensure you learn to speak proper English or Russian. For persons who can’t speak any of the languages, you need to open your mind to the possibility that you can learn. There’s nothing as thrilling as learning to speak a language while living in the country.
Accommodation
Having nowhere to stay means, you are homeless. No country will want to grant entry to someone who would eventually become a burden. To qualify for a visa, you need to provide evidence of accommodation. If you are staying for a short time, you may try AirBnB or any other rental services. You can also check for accommodations on rental websites such as retiring. lv, Reklama.lv, etc. Note that it is rare to get an apartment with a heating system.
Arrival in Latvia
After arriving in Latvia, there are a few things left you will need to do other than getting an apartment or going shopping.
Register as a resident
You should register yourself as soon as you arrive in Latvia to avoid troubles with the government. Registering as a living in Latvia grants you access to certain services such as obtaining a driver’s license.
Obtain a residence permit
If you are going to be staying for a longer period, you should quickly obtain your residence permit at least 90 days after your arrival. A residence permit lets you live in Latvia for as long as a year.
Register your business or get a job
For persons looking to set up a business in Latvia, you can start the process after obtaining a residence permit and registering your official address with the PMLP. Looking for a job should take some time but don’t give up; there is a job whose requirements you meet.
Open a bank account
Opening an account is easy. All you need is to provide a work agreement either from your employer or from you if you are a business owner. Those who have students visas don’t require this document. Usually, the type of account determines the documents to provide.
