Expat Guide to Latvia

Everything you need to know about living and working in Latvia.

EU citizens have free movement. Startup Visa program allows founders to relocate. Temporary Residence Permit for employment (requires employer sponsorship). ICT Specialist Visa for tech workers on intra-company transfers. No specific digital nomad visa. Residence permits are processed through OCMA (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs). Latvia's immigration process is generally straightforward for EU citizens and somewhat bureaucratic for third-country nationals.

Flat 20% personal income tax (was 23%, reduced in recent reforms). Progressive element introduced: 23% rate on income above €78,100/year. Micro-enterprise tax of 25% on revenue for small businesses (maximum 1 employee). Social contributions total approximately 35% (23.59% employer + 10.50% employee). Capital gains tax is 20%. VAT at 21% standard rate. Latvia has double taxation treaties with 60+ countries. The tax system is relatively simple compared to larger EU countries.

Latvia's public healthcare system is funded through mandatory social insurance contributions. Quality is adequate in Riga but limited in rural areas. Major hospitals include Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital and Riga East Clinical University Hospital. Waiting times for specialists in the public system can be long (weeks to months). Private healthcare is affordable — approximately €50-100/month for comprehensive insurance. Private clinics include ARS and Premium Medical. EU citizens can use EHIC for emergency care. Dental care is affordable and good quality. Mental health services are growing but still limited compared to Western Europe.

Swedbank, SEB, and Citadele Bank are the main options in Latvia. Opening an account requires: passport, Latvian personal code (obtained when registering residence), and proof of address. The process is straightforward for EU citizens, more involved for non-EU nationals. Baltic banking has tightened significantly after money-laundering scandals — expect thorough KYC processes. Revolut is extremely popular in Latvia and is often used as a primary account by younger residents and expats. ATMs are widespread in Riga. Cash is used less frequently than in Southern or Eastern Europe — card payments are the norm in most businesses.