Want to live and work in Latvia?

Latvia has one of the lowest costs of living in the Western European Union. In Riga, a one-bedroom apartment in the centre (Vecrīga, Centrs, Āgenskalns) costs between 500 and 800 euros per month. In more distant neighbourhoods (Purvciems, Ķengarags, Imanta) it is between 350 and 550 euros. In Daugavpils, Liepāja, and smaller cities, rents fall to 250-450 euros. Property purchase is also accessible by European standards.

Supermarkets are reasonable, with local products (dairy, rye bread, berries, smoked fish) very cheap. Imports are more expensive. Mid-range restaurant meals run between 12 and 25 euros per person. Public transport in Riga (buses, trams, trolleybuses) is efficient and costs around 1.50 euros per trip. Regional trains connect the main cities.

Basic bills (electricity, water, internet) total around 100-150 euros per month in summer, potentially exceeding 300 euros in winter due to heating (gas or central). Public healthcare is partially paid via contributions. Private plans cost between 30 and 100 euros monthly. The minimum wage is around 700 euros, still low by EU standards but rising. Those earning in a strong currency have high purchasing power.

Public education in Latvia is free from kindergarten to secondary school for all residents, including children of immigrants. Classes in public schools are in Latvian (with recent reforms reducing Russian use). International schools in Riga exist for those preferring English-language education with a British or American curriculum.

Higher education has public universities with relatively low tuition and private universities with higher fees. Tuition for English-language programmes at public universities runs between 1,500 and 5,000 euros per year, depending on the course. The most recognised universities are the University of Latvia (LU), Riga Technical University (RTU), Riga Stradiņš University (medicine and dentistry in English), Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga), and Turiba.

Riga Stradiņš University receives hundreds of international students per year in medicine and dentistry, with full programmes in English at costs considerably lower than in other European countries. Indians, Germans, Scandinavians, and students from southern Europe form the largest student communities. The student visa is straightforward for those with an accepted admission and health insurance.

Latvia is considered a safe country by European standards. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare. Walking at night in Riga's residential areas and in smaller cities like Jurmala, Cesis, and Sigulda is generally calm. Traffic is organized and public transport works well.

Sensitive spots involve tourist areas and nightlife. Vecriga (Riga's historic center), with its bars and clubs, attracts tourists and occasionally involves scams at bars with inflated prices or surprise charges. Pickpocketing on trams, buses, and on Brivibas Street during rush hour does happen. Neighborhoods like Maskavas forstaste (Muscovy) and some peripheral areas require more care at night.

Proximity to Russia and Belarus has brought national security attention since 2022. Latvia is a NATO and EU member, with allied troops stationed in the country. Daily life continues normally, but there is more focus on civil defense and resident training. For recent immigrants, the bigger challenge is more administrative (residence registration, banking, language) than safety-related.

Latvian culture preserves a strong Baltic tradition, distinct from both the Russian and Nordic. The defining event is the Dziesmu un deju sveetki (Song and Dance Celebration), an event that brings together tens of thousands of singers and dancers every 4 or 5 years in Riga, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Community choirs are a tradition in almost every city.

Reinterpreted pagan festivals mark the calendar. Jaani (midsummer festival, June 23 and 24) is the most important, with bonfires, flower wreaths, caraway cheese, beer, and singing all night. Ligo is the characteristic song of this festival. Martini (November) marks the beginning of winter. Christmas and Easter are also celebrated, with a mixture of Christian and folk traditions.

Traditional food uses a lot of rye, potato, cabbage, beet, smoked fish, and dairy. Typical dishes include rupjmaize (dark bread), peleekie zirni (grey peas with bacon), silke (herring), skabputra (sour porridge), and rigas sprotes (canned sprats, exported worldwide). Local beer and Riga Black Balsam (herbal liqueur) are typical drinks.

Latvia covers around 65,000 square kilometres on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania. The terrain is flat, with the highest points reaching only 311 metres (Gaiziņkalns). Around 54% of the territory is covered by forests of pine, spruce, birch, and aspen, reflecting its Baltic latitude position. More than 12,000 rivers and 2,300 lakes are scattered across the country.

The Baltic coast runs 500 km, with white sand beaches, dunes, and coastal forests. Jūrmala, 20 km from Riga, is the most famous seaside resort, with 33 km of beach and early 20th-century wooden architecture. Liepāja, Ventspils, and Pāvilosta are other important coastal points. Riga lies at the mouth of the Daugava River, the main waterway, which crosses the country from east to west.

Four historical regions mark the territory: Courland (west, closer to Lithuania), Zemgale (south-centre, agricultural), Vidzeme (centre-northeast, with Riga and Gauja National Park with medieval castles), and Latgale (east, more Russian-speaking, with lakes and Catholic culture). Population density is low, around 30 people per square kilometre. Long snowy winters, short summers with very long days.

For Latvian nationals wishing to travel to the United States, ESTA covers tourism and business trips of up to 90 days without a visa, with quick electronic authorisation. For longer stays or work, the E-2 is one of the most widely used routes: the bilateral treaty allows Latvians to invest in a substantial US business (generally from 100,000 USD) and receive an indefinitely renewable visa, including work authorisation for the spouse. The E-1 serves traders engaged in international commerce between Latvia and the US.

For permanent immigration, EB-1 (extraordinary talent, executives), EB-2 NIW (national interest), and EB-5 (investor from 800,000 USD in target areas) are options for qualified professionals and investors. The O-1 serves artists, athletes, scientists, and professionals with international recognition. The L-1 covers intra-company transfers within multinationals, practical for those working in companies with US operations.

The H-1B serves technology, engineering, finance, and medicine professionals with a university degree, with an annual lottery and employer sponsorship. The F-1 covers students at American universities, with OPT for 12 to 36 months of post-graduation work, especially in STEM. The J-1 covers exchange programmes, research, medical training, and au pair.