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

Jobs & Work Permits

Everything you need to find work and get authorised to work in Latvia.

State Employment Agency

Nodarbinātības valsts aģentūra (NVA)

Register as a job-seeker at the nearest NVA office or online at nva.gov.lv. Bring your passport/ID, personas kods, education documents, and work history. An NVA consultant will be assigned to help with your job search. EU/EEA citizens can register freely. Non-EU citizens with valid work permits can also register.

Services offered:

✓Job vacancy database (large volume of Latvian job listings)
✓CV and cover letter preparation assistance
✓Career counselling and skills assessment
✓Latvian language courses for unemployed persons (free)
✓Retraining and professional development courses (partially or fully funded)
✓Unemployment benefit (bezdarbnieka pabalsts) administration
✓Subsidised employment programmes
✓Job fairs and employer matching events

Expat eligibility: EU/EEA citizens have full access to all NVA services. Non-EU residents with valid work permits can use most services. Unemployed persons receiving bezdarbnieka pabalsts must comply with active job search requirements and report to NVA regularly.

Visit State Employment Agency

💼 Work Permits

EU Citizens

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have the right to work in Latvia without any work permit. They need to register at PMLP within 3 months of arrival and obtain their personas kods and EU registration certificate. After 5 years of continuous residence, EU citizens acquire permanent residence rights.

Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU nationals require a temporary residence permit (uzturēšanās atļauja) with the right to work in Latvia. The main routes are: (1) Employment-based residence permit — requires a job offer from a Latvian employer who has obtained permission from NVA (unless the job is exempt from the labour market test). (2) ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) permit for transferees. (3) Specialist permit for highly qualified workers. Annual immigration quota applies for non-EU non-EEA nationals (excluding family reunification and some categories) — the quota is limited and competitive.

EU Blue Card

EU Blue Card is available in Latvia for highly qualified non-EU workers. Requirements: recognised higher education qualification, job offer with annual salary at least 1.5x the average gross salary in Latvia (approximately €2,528/month or €30,336/year in 2026). Blue Card holders can bring family members and have easier access to long-term residence.

Freelancer Visa

No dedicated digital nomad or freelancer visa exists in Latvia as of 2026. Self-employed non-EU nationals must register their business in Latvia and obtain a residence permit on the basis of self-employment. This requires proof of viable income and business viability. Some fintech and IT workers use the startup founder route via LIAA.

⏱️ Work Culture

Typical hours 40 hours per week standard (8 hours/day, 5 days). Many professional roles offer flexibility. Remote work has grown significantly post-pandemic. Overtime is regulated and must be compensated.

Annual leave Minimum 4 calendar weeks (20 working days) annual leave per year by law. Many professional contracts offer 28 days. Additional leave for civil servants and some sectors.

Sick leave First 2 days of sick leave: employer pays 75% of average salary. Days 3–10: employer pays 80%. Day 11 onwards: State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA) pays 80% of average earnings. Doctor's certificate (darba nespējas lapa) required from day 1 for official sick leave.

Trial period Maximum 3 months trial period (pārbaudes laiks). Must be specified in the employment contract. During trial period, either party can terminate with 3 days' notice.

Notice period Standard: 1 month for employees with contracts under 6 months; up to 2 months for longer tenure. Notice periods in professional contracts vary. The employer must pay severance (atlaišanas pabalsts) in some cases.

Salary range Average gross salary in Latvia: approximately €1,600/month (2026). Riga average higher: €1,900–2,200/month. IT sector: €2,000–4,500/month. Finance: €1,800–3,500/month. Healthcare: €1,500–2,800/month. Manufacturing: €1,200–1,800/month. Minimum wage 2026: €740/month gross.

Pay frequency Monthly — typically paid on the last working day of the month or a specific day (e.g., the 15th or last working day). Payslip (algas aprēķins) provided monthly.

Contract types

·Darba līgums uz nenoteiktu laiku — indefinite employment contract (most common)
·Darba līgums uz noteiktu laiku — fixed-term contract (maximum 2 years, renewable once)
·Uzņēmuma līgums — service contract (for self-employed/freelancers)
·Nepilna darba laika darba līgums — part-time employment contract

🔍 Job Boards

CV.lv

Latvia's largest job portal — the go-to platform for most Latvian employers and job seekers. Latvian and Russian language interface with some English job postings. Essential for any Riga job search.

SS.lv Darbs

Latvia's major classifieds site includes a significant jobs section. Good for local and trade jobs.

CVMarket.lv

Another major Latvian job platform with a wide range of listings across sectors.

Used by international companies and professionals in Latvia, especially for IT, finance, management, and professional roles. Important for networking in Riga's international business community.

Prakse.lv

Latvian job portal focused on internships and entry-level positions — useful for recent graduates.

🌍 Expat-Friendly Resources

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Invest in Latvia (LIAA)

Latvia's Investment and Development Agency supports international talent attraction. Includes information on working in Latvia, startups, and professional pathways.

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Latvian Startup Association

For those interested in the startup ecosystem — job boards, events, and community at startuplv.com. Growing tech scene in Riga.

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Global Latvian

Platform connecting the Latvian diaspora and international community to opportunities in Latvia. Useful for expats returning or new arrivals.

📝 Application Tips

CV format: Latvian CVs are typically 1–2 pages. Include: personal information (name, contacts, personas kods not required), professional summary, work experience (reverse chronological), education, languages, and skills. A professional photo is optional but common. In Latvian language for Latvian-language roles; English for international companies.

Cover letter: Expected

Language: Latvian language proficiency is required for many positions — Latvia's language law mandates Latvian for most official and many business functions. Many companies in Riga also require Russian (for client-facing roles serving the Russian-speaking community). English is widely used in IT, international business, and tech companies. The level of Latvian required varies greatly — tech companies often operate primarily in English.

Interviews: Latvian interviews are formal and professional — direct, competency-based questions are standard. Arrive on time. Dress smartly. Research the company carefully. Salary discussions happen openly. Multi-stage interviews are common for professional roles. References (atsauksmes) are increasingly requested.

🤝 Networking Tips

→TechHub Riga is the main hub for Riga's tech and startup ecosystem — events, meetups, and networking.
→LinkedIn is actively used by Latvian professionals — optimise your profile in English and connect with Riga-based professionals.
→Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) events are useful for business and professional networking.
→The expatriate community in Riga is active — InterNations, International Club of Latvia, and embassy communities host regular events.
→University of Latvia and Riga Technical University alumni networks are strong in their respective sectors.
→Join sector-specific professional associations — e.g., IT Cluster Latvia for tech professionals.
→Swedish, Finnish, German, and Estonian companies are major employers in Latvia — their respective country chambers of commerce in Latvia are good networking resources.

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