Living in Latvia: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Latvia.
Located in the Baltic region, Latvia is a European Union country. If you have chosen to settle here, you will enjoy a temperate climate and a pleasant living environment among a warm and hospitable multicultural population.
Latvia is quite open towards foreign investment. Expatriates looking for career prospects can try their luck with the private sector which includes many small and medium enterprises.
Latvia enjoys warm summers (though not as warm as its more southern European neighbours) and relatively cold winters, often with significant snow. In the summer, visitors and residents can enjoy one of the beaches along the nearly 500 km of Latvian coastline as well as take advantage of the forested environment with hikes or cycling trips.
Like other states in the region, it has also recovered fairly well following the 2008 financial crisis, with many exports out of the port of Riga. As a result, there are certain job opportunities for expats in tourism and some export industries. There is also a well-developed public transportation network in the city, as well as trains for those looking to explore the country.
As with the country's economy, the infrastructure has also developed in Latvia, helping to make Riga one of the financial hubs of the Baltic region. There is fast internet available (one of the highest speeds in the world), three main ports, and an international airport near Riga.
