Latvia (LV)

Latvia is a parliamentary republic and EU member state on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus.

Capital: Riga

Region: Europe

Language: Latvian

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 48)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Latvia.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Nursery / Creche €50–150 parent co-payment (subsidised by municipality)

Age: 1.5–3 years

Subsidy available

Municipality subsidises the majority of costs. Riga municipality sets parent co-payment at approximately €50–150/month for children from 1.5 years. Income-based reductions available for low-income families.

Register on the Riga municipal waiting list at e-pakalpojumi.riga.lv. For other municipalities, contact the local pašvaldība (municipality). Private nurseries can be enrolled directly.

⏱️ Apply to Riga municipality's pirmsskolas izglītības iestāde (PII) waiting list as soon as the child is born or upon arrival in Latvia. Places are allocated based on child's age and registration date. Waiting times in central Riga: 1–2 years. Private nurseries are available at €500–900/month.

Kindergarten (Bērnudārzs) €50–200 parent co-payment (municipal)

Age: 3–7 years

Subsidy available

Heavily subsidised by the municipality. Most children attend subsidised municipal kindergartens. Private kindergartens offer more availability at higher cost (€400–800/month).

Apply through the municipal waiting list system (e-pakalpojumi.riga.lv for Riga). Bring: child's birth certificate, vaccination record, proof of Riga residence, and parent ID.

⏱️ Demand significantly exceeds supply in Riga. Apply as early as possible — ideally immediately upon establishing residence. Private kindergartens (privātie bērnudārzi) have immediate availability but at much higher cost.

🏫 Schools

State primary school Free

Sākumskola / Pamatskola (grades 1–9)

Ages: 6/7–15/16 years · Language: Latvian (primary instruction language). Significant reform: since 2021, instruction in Latvian has been made mandatory for the core curriculum in all schools, including minority schools. Russian-language schools have been transitioning to Latvian as primary instruction language by 2023–2025. Some schools offer bilingual programmes or extra Latvian language support for non-native speakers.

Contact your local school (based on catchment area — skolas mikroraions). Bring: child's birth certificate, vaccination card, previous school records (if applicable), and parent/guardian ID. Non-Latvian speaking children may be offered additional Latvian language support.

Compulsory education from age 5 (pre-school year — obligatory) to age 16 (completion of basic education, grades 1–9). Most children continue to secondary school (grades 10–12) voluntarily. School year: September to June. International schools in Riga offer education in English and other languages for expat families.

Secondary school / Gymnasium Free

Vidusskola / Ģimnāzija (grades 10–12)

Ages: 16–18/19 years · Language: Latvian (primary instruction language since reforms). Centrālā eksāmenu komisija oversees Latvian language proficiency requirements.

Apply directly to the chosen vidusskola or ģimnāzija. Admission based on previous grades for selective gymnasiums. State schools are open admission in principle but popular schools fill quickly.

Secondary education (vidusskola) lasts 3 years (grades 10–12). Culminates in state examinations (valsts pārbaudījumi) required for university admission. Latvian baccalaureate (atestāts) is widely recognised. Vocational schools (profesionālās vidus skolas) offer vocational training tracks.

International Schools

Riga has several international schools serving the expat community. Key schools (2025/26 fees): Riga International School (RISĀ/ISR, isriga.lv) — IB curriculum, English instruction, ages 2–18; fees €8,800–22,300/year (plus one-time membership €1,600 and capital fee €2,000 for new students). International School of Latvia (ISL, isl.edu.lv) — fees €12,800–21,800/year. QSI International School of Riga — US curriculum. These schools provide continuity for expat children who may relocate. Most require significant advance enrollment.

University

Tuition fee

For EU citizens: free or minimal fees (€200–500/year administrative fee) at state universities. Tuition-based programmes: €1,500–4,000/year. English-language programmes (medical, business, IT): €3,000–9,000/year. Non-EU students pay full fees: €3,000–12,000/year depending on programme. Medical programmes at Riga Stradiņš University: up to €12,000/year for international students.

Semester fee

Typically €0–200 for administrative and facility fees at state universities for EU students. Student union and facility fees: €50–100/semester.

Student visa

Non-EU students need a student temporary residence permit (uzturēšanās atļauja). Requires: admission letter, proof of financial means (€400/month minimum), health insurance, and valid passport. Apply at PMLP.

Health insurance

EU students are covered by the public health system upon registration. Non-EU students must have private health insurance for the residence permit application — minimum coverage €10,000 or state-recognised insurance plan.

Application process

Apply directly to universities via their websites. Major universities: University of Latvia (LU), Riga Technical University (RTU), Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga). Applications: January–July for autumn entry.

🗣️ Language Courses

State-funded Latvian language courses for immigrants

Provider: Latvian Language Agency (Latviešu valodas aģentūra) / NVA · Duration: 80–120 hours typically · Levels: A1–B2

Free for eligible participants (unemployed persons registered at NVA; some integration programmes)

Free Latvian language courses are available through the State Employment Agency (NVA) for unemployed job-seekers. The Latvian Language Agency (lva.gov.lv) coordinates state-funded language training. Programmes especially aimed at non-Latvian speakers seeking employment.

Commercial Latvian language courses

Provider: Various language schools (Biznesa augstskola Turība, Latvian Language Center, etc.) · Duration: 40–120 hours per level · Levels: A1–C2

€200–600 per module (group courses). Private tuition: €20–50/hour

Private language schools offer structured courses in Riga and other cities. Online courses available via platforms like eMācies.lv. Latviešu valoda.lv portal offers free self-study resources.

Latvian language for citizenship (B2 requirement) Mandatory

Provider: VISC (National Centre for Education) — official testing body · Duration: Preparation time varies — typically 6–24 months from A1 to B2 · Levels: B2 required for citizenship; B1 for permanent residence (non-EU)

Exam fee approximately €28. Course preparation: varies

The Latvian language examination for citizenship requires B2 level proficiency (listening, reading, speaking, writing). Administered by VISC. Certification is officially recognised for citizenship and naturalization applications.

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