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Latvia's coat of arms

Latvia

Move Freely. Live Fully. Begin in Latvia

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Latvia is a vibrant Northern European country known for its clean nature, safety and high quality of life. With affordable living costs and a growing business ecosystem, Latvia offers an ideal balance between modern opportunities and a relaxed, nature-rich lifestyle in the heart of the EU.

  • Population: ~1.8 million 

  • Language: Latvian (English and Russian widely understood)

  • Capital: Riga

  • Main Cities: Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jelgava, Ventspils

  • Time zone: UTC+2 (EET)

  • Currency: Euro 

  • Membership: EU, Eurozone, Schengen Area, NATO 

  • Economy: Stable, open, service-based

  • Quality of Life: high safety, clean environment, affordable living and strong digital infrastructure

Latvia is the best gateway to the EU

While immigration politics getting harder in the EU, Latvia actively seeks newcomers. With an aging population and strong economic demand, the government prioritizes attracting immigrants as a significant driver of long term growth.

  • Very high TRP approval rates, as Latvia’s policies remain more flexible than in most EU countries.

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  • Fast receiving of the residence permit: Applications are reviewed within 1–5 months, depending on the program.

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  • Low immigration cost compared to Western Europe, while maintaining a high quality of life.

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  • After 5 years living in Latvia, Temporary Residence Permit can be switched to Permanent and later to the EU citizenship.

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  • Family reunification is automatic — spouses and underage children receive Temporary Residence without obstacles.

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  • Children aged 2–18 receive quality European education for free.

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  • Entire family enjoys European-standard healthcare, accessible on the same basis as local residents.​​​​

  • Eligibility for maternity, unemployment and other social benefits, supporting long-term stability. 

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  • No requirements for Latvian or English language proficiency.

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  • ​​Affordable living costs. Housing, food, and services are significantly cheaper than in most EU states.​​

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  • No need for a Schengen visa. Residents travel visa-free across 26 European countries and enjoy simplified visa access globally.

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  • No obligation to physically stay in Latvia. You may maintain your residence permit without living full-time in the country.

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  • Freedom to own property, vehicles and assets, with strong legal protection for foreign investors.

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  • Real estate–based Temporary Residence Permit give a safe, stable EU foothold while preserving investment value.

Advantages of living in Latvia

Latvia is proud of its advanced digitalization, dynamic and growing economy, pristine nature and rich cultural traditions. Blend of innovation with heritage creating a modern, forward-looking European nation.

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Digital Government

Latvia ranks among the EU leaders in digital public administration, offering efficient e-signatures, online tax filing, company registration and many other.

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Internet Speed

Latvia is consistently in the top 10 globally for fast and affordable internet with widespread fibre-optic coverage, which is available
even in rural regions

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Renewable Energy

Over 50% of Latvia’s electricity comes from renewable sources: hydro, biomass, solar and wind — placing the country among the leaders in Europe.

Forests and Nature 

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About half of Latvia’s territory is covered by lush forests, rich in biodiversity. Clean air and scenic trails make Latvia one of the greenest countries worldwide.

Clean Environment

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Latvia consistently ranks among the world’s top countries for clean air and minimal pollution, offering a naturally healthy, sustainable, and refreshing living environment.

Art Nouveau Heritage

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Riga is a city with one of the richest Art Nouveau architecture in the world. Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The capital of Latvia is unique on a global scale.

Latvian Economy 

Latvia has an open, export-oriented economy driven by manufacturing, IT, logistics and wood industries with growing trends in green energy and innovation.

  • GDP: € 40,4 billion (Y2024), 100th position in the world ranking

  • GDP per capita: € 21,6 thousand (Y2024), 50th position in the world ranking

  • Debt-to-GDP ratio: 48% (Y2024) 

  • Inflation 3.3% (Y2024)

  • Average salary: € 1808 gross / € 1342 after tax (Y2025)

  • Unemployment rate: 6,2% (Y2025) 

Quality of life

High safety - physical and environmental, affordable living, strong digital services, good healthcare, education, cultural heritage and easy access to nature define Latvia’s excellent quality of life.

164

- Very High -

Latvia's quality of live index
according to NUMBEO

22

Latvia's position among
180 countries in the
Global Peace Rank​

30

Latvia's position among
180 countries in the 
Global Environmental Rank​

51

Latvia's position among
147 countries in the 
Global Happiness Report​

Cost of life

Latvia offers a comfortable European lifestyle at affordable prices. Here  you see key costs for everyday living provided by NUMBEO.

  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person, excluding rent: € 800 

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four, excluding rent: € 2722

  • ​Monthly rent price, 1 bedroom apartment in Riga center / outside of center: € 522 / € 360

  • ​Monthly rent price, 3 bedroom apartment in Riga center / outside of Riga center: € 970 / € 660

  • Monthly minimum cost of food, Western / Asian food types​: € 246 / € 186

  • Urban transport ticket price​: € 1,5

Relative living cost index of Riga comparing with 5 cities 

Cost of living index

  • London      100

  • Hamburg      85

  • Riga         64

  • Shanghai     46

  • Ho Chi Minh  34

  • Mumbai       32

Rent index

  • London      100

  • Hamburg      46

  • Shanghai     34

  • Mumbai       27

  • Riga         21

  • Ho Chi Minh  19

Living & Rent cost index

  • London      100

  • Hamburg      69

  • Riga         47

  • Shanghai     41

  • Mumbai       30

  • Ho Chi Minh  28

Groceries index

  • London      100

  • Hamburg      96

  • Riga         72

  • Shanghai     58

  • Ho Chi Minh  50

  • Mumbai       40

Restaurant price index

  • London      100

  • Hamburg      87

  • Riga         67

  • Shanghai     32

  • Mumbai       28

  • Ho Chi Minh  19

* London is taken as 100% measuring the cost of living. The rest city's indexes show their cost of living comparing to London. 

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Riga - the heart of Latvia

Historical Traditions

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Founded in 1201, Riga has long been a bridge between Western and Northern Europe. Once a key member of the Hanseatic League, the city flourished as a trading hub, blending German, Swedish, Russian and Latvian influences. This layered history is reflected in its architecture, cobblestone streets, and enduring spirit of openness and innovation.


Comfortable Living Today

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Modern Riga combines historical charm with contemporary comfort. The city is clean, safe and affordable offering excellent healthcare, education and digital services. Compact and walkable, it provides a high quality of life with access to parks, cafes, and the nearby Baltic Sea coast.

Art Nouveau Heritage

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Riga boasts one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world, with over 800 masterpieces designed in the early 20th century. The elegant facades on Alberta street and Elizabetes street showcase intricate ornamentation, mythical motifs and flowing lines that make the city a true architectural treasure recognized by UNESCO.

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Cultural Environment

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Riga’s cultural life is vibrant — world-class theatres, museums, music festivals and design spaces fill the calendar year-round. The city’s creative energy attracts artists, entrepreneurs, and students from across Europe.

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Connection to Europe

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Centrally located, Riga is perfectly connected. Riga airport is the biggest in Baltics, daily flights link it to major European capitals within one to three hours, making it both accessible and globally connected.

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Latvian Nature — Pure, Diverse, and Accessible

Baltic Sea and Sandy Beaches

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Latvia’s western border stretches along nearly 500 kilometers of the Baltic Sea, offering wide, clean beaches and peaceful coastal towns. The soft golden sands of Jurmala, Liepaja, and Ventspils attract both locals and visitors for swimming, cycling, and walks along pine-fringed dunes. The sea’s calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families and relaxation.

Forests and Unique Dune Ecosystems

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More than half of Latvia’s territory is covered by forests, creating one of Europe’s greenest landscapes.


The air is clean and the biodiversity remarkable — from oak and pine groves to rare orchids, lynxes and eagles. Latvia is also home to unique dune and sandy biotopes, protected areas where coastal pine forests meet shifting dunes and wetlands, forming fragile yet beautiful ecosystems found almost nowhere else in Europe.

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National Parks and Natural Attractions

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Latvia has four national parks: Gauja, Kemeri, Slitere, and Razna, each offering pristine nature and rich wildlife. The Gauja National Park, often called “Latvian Switzerland” is known for its sandstone cliffs, medieval castles, and scenic river valley trails.

 

Wooden boardwalks through wetlands, nature observation towers and peaceful lakes make Latvia a paradise for eco-tourism, photography, and quiet retreats in nature.

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