Living in :
Latvia
Once in Latvia, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
Your passport must have a minimum of 3 months validity when entering the country however, as an EU national you do not need a residence permit to enter Latvia. However you will need one if you plan to work. It is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. You are also able to apply for the residence permit from the Latvian embassy before you leave.
If you do not have a job, you are able to enter the country as a tourist and look for a job once you arrive.
As an EU Citizen, you are entitled to stay freely in Latvia for 3 months. If you plan on staying longer than this, you must apply for a residence permit.
OCMA - Visas and invitations
OCMA - Residence Permits
Eng Meeting - Residence Permit
Registering your arrival in a country is needed (Declaration of Residence). Therefore talk to your local police station or Aliens Office to see if this is a requirement once in Latvia.
OCMA - Declaration of Residence
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Social Security Number. If employed, your employer is likely to arrange this for you, however if you are self employed or have your own business, you must speak with your accountant to arrange this.
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Finding daycare is almost impossible. You can try your local municipal, however quite often there just aren't any spaces. The government are also abolishing existing day care services due to lack of finances. Your only real chance is to find a private nursery for your child or get an aupair/nanny into your home yourself. Talk to neighbours etc, see if they have any recommendations in your area.
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 7. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Latvian school?" These sites may help you with this decision.
Latvian Private Schools Association
Nations Encyclopedia - Latvia
Euro Education
Li - Education in Latvia
ISL - The International School of Latvia
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Some Doctors and Dentists are English speaking. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. Also check that your chosen Doctor is funded from the state budget or your Social Security membership may not cover you. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account is not difficult. Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need.
Rietumu - Opening a Bank Account
Latvian Bank Account - How to open an account
Info Latvia - Open a bank account
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Latvian authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
Driving Permit - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Latvian authorities and have it replaced with a Latvian Licence.
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Latvian roads! This website should help you. The traffic laws are outlined here:
Latvia Travel - Summary of Driving Rules
Europe Accident - Driving in Latvia
Europa - Getting there
The Latvians will fine you for anything. So watch your speed limits and don't break the law!
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Latvia, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Latvian Government - Overview of Tax on vehicles
Be aware that registering a car in Latvia can end up expensive. If you decide to import your vehicle permanently, contact your local police station who can point you in the direction of the vehicle registration office. They will be able to give you information regarding all the procedures which will need to be followed to ensure your car is legally registered in Latvia.
When buying a new or second hand car, always go with someone who knows about cars so they can look at it and help you decide if it is worth the money the person is asking. If you are unsure, buy from a reputable dealer and one that offers warranties in case something goes wrong. You can find good deals in local papers and on the internet, but make sure you check it out properly.
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Latvia. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
Us Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Latvia
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Latvia.
To find out the best way to handle this, talk to the British Consulate in Riga. They can tell you what documents you will need and the procedures for this to happen.
Foreign Office - Marriage in Latvia
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British Nationals dying in Latvia
While in Latvia, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Riga will be of help.
Foreign Office - Registering a Death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! In the first while you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 02
Ambulance - 03
Fire Bregade - 01
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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