Expat essentials: living in Latvia

Residence permit and registration

Residence documents are issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). What you need depends on whether you are an EU citizen.

• EU citizens who stay in Latvia for more than three months from the day they first arrived must register with PMLP and receive a registration certificate. Source: likumi.lv
• An EU citizen who works in Latvia submits a standard questionnaire, a copy of a valid travel document and a document confirming the employment. A first registration certificate can only be requested while in Latvia. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• Citizens of non-EU countries need a residence permit to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days in any six months. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• The state fee for reviewing a temporary residence permit application is €160 (decision within 30 days), €280 (10 working days) or €560 (5 working days). Registering the permit and making the card cost extra. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• Declare your place of residence within one month of moving in. It is free on latvija.gov.lv and costs €4.27 at PMLP or the local council. The address given in a residence permit or registration certificate application counts as the declaration. Source: pmlp.gov.lv

PMLP website ↗

Personal code

The personal code (personas kods) is the number banks, employers, doctors and state e-services ask for.

• A foreigner is given a personal code automatically on being entered in the Register of Natural Persons, for example on receiving a residence permit or a registration certificate. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• Without a residence document you can still be registered if you have a legal link to Latvia, such as property, a business, taxes, healthcare or studies: fill in a questionnaire and show a valid identity document in person. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• Codes issued since 1 July 2017 have 11 digits, start with 32–39 and no longer contain the date of birth. Source: pmlp.gov.lv

E-signature, Smart-ID and latvija.gov.lv

Most state services are online at latvija.gov.lv, but you need a secure electronic ID to log in.

• Since 1 January 2025 you can no longer log in to latvija.gov.lv with internet banking. Use eParaksts mobile, an eID card, an eParaksts card, the qualified version of Smart-ID or another EU country’s official eID. Source: varam.gov.lv
• A Latvian residence permit card confirms your identity online as well as in person and lets you sign documents electronically. Source: pmlp.gov.lv
• Smart-ID needs a Latvian or Estonian personal code. With a residence permit card you register just as a citizen would, and the app is free. Source: smart-id.com
• eParaksts mobile, the state e-signature app run by LVRTC, needs a passport or eID card plus internet-bank access to sign up. The app is free. Source: lvrtc.lv

latvija.gov.lv ↗

Opening a bank account

Banks are supervised by Latvijas Banka, the central bank, which explains your right to a basic account.

• EU residents, and people without a residence permit who cannot be expelled from Latvia, are entitled to a basic payment account. You can hold only one basic account at a time. Source: bank.lv
• A bank may not refuse a basic account because of your citizenship, residence or financial situation. It may refuse on anti-money-laundering grounds or if you give false information. Source: bank.lv
• You submit an application, a statement that you hold no payment account with another Latvian bank, and the information the bank needs to check you as a customer. It must open the account or refuse within ten business days. Source: bank.lv
• If a bank refuses, you can complain to the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) or to the Finance Latvia Association’s ombudsman. Source: bank.lv

Finance Latvia ombudsman ↗

Family doctor and healthcare

State-funded healthcare is run by the National Health Service (NVD). Your family doctor (ģimenes ārsts) is the way into it.

• State-funded care covers Latvian citizens and non-citizens, permanent residents and refugees, and socially insured people: employees (except those working for micro-enterprises) and self-employed people earning at least the minimum contribution base. Source: vmnvd.gov.lv
• Everyone else can use healthcare for a fee, according to the providers’ price lists. Source: vmnvd.gov.lv
• To register with a family doctor, go to the doctor you have chosen and sign an agreement in two copies. Source: vmnvd.gov.lv
• The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued by NVD, including to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in Latvia because of work. Online applications on latvija.gov.lv are processed within 3 working days and the card is posted. Source: vmnvd.gov.lv

National Health Service (NVD) ↗

Taxes

Taxes are collected by the State Revenue Service (VID). Employers withhold income tax and social security from wages.

• You are a Latvian tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in Latvia in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year, or if your declared residence is in Latvia. Source: likumi.lv
• The wage tax book (algas nodokļa grāmatiņa) is an electronic record in VID’s online system, EDS. Mark the one employer that should apply your non-taxable allowance (€550 a month in 2026) and reliefs. Source: vid.gov.lv
• Personal income tax is 25.5% on annual income up to €105,300 and 33% above it, plus an extra 3% on annual income over €200,000. Source: vid.gov.lv
• The annual income return is filed from 1 March to 1 June (from 1 April to 1 July if your income exceeded €105,300). Source: vid.gov.lv
• Since 1 January 2026 most people can log in to EDS only with a secure eID: qualified Smart-ID, an eID card or eParaksts. VID passwords remain only for some foreigners with no other link to Latvia. Source: vid.gov.lv

Salary calculator 2026: gross to net pay →State Revenue Service (VID) ↗

Public transport tickets

Buses, trolleybuses and trams in Riga are run by Rīgas satiksme, the city’s transport company. Trains are run by Vivi.

• A 90-minute ticket costs €1.50. Validate it on boarding every vehicle. Other passes include 24 hours for €5, three days for €8, five days for €10 and a month for €30. Source: rigassatiksme.lv
• Tickets are loaded onto a plastic e-ticket card (e-talons), which is valid for 10 years. The personalised card carries the holder’s photo and name. Source: rigassatiksme.lv
• Public transport in Riga is free for all passengers on 4 May, 23 and 24 June, during the Riga City Festival, on 18 November, 31 December and 1 January. Source: rigassatiksme.lv
• Vivi train single tickets cost €1.30 to €3.80 depending on the zone (prices from 15 January 2026). Source: vivi.lv
• Regional bus timetables are on atd.lv, the Road Transport Directorate’s site. Source: atd.lv

Electricity, gas, heating and water

Energy prices are overseen by the Public Utilities Commission (SPRK). Electricity and gas suppliers can be chosen freely.

• Household electricity prices have not been regulated since the end of 2014. Without a contract you get last-resort supply, which is usually more expensive, so sign with a supplier. Source: sprk.gov.lv
• The only price-comparison tool on SPRK’s official register is energija24.lv (registered 12 November 2025). Source: sprk.gov.lv
• The household gas market has been fully open since 1 May 2023. If you have no contract, Latvijas Gāze supplies you as the universal-service provider. Source: sprk.gov.lv
• Rīgas ūdens, Riga’s water company, takes emergency calls 24 hours a day on 80002122 (free). Source: rigasudens.lv

Heating cost calculator (Riga and other towns) →

Emergency numbers

Calls to emergency numbers are free. In any emergency, call 112.

• 112 — the single emergency number for fire and rescue, ambulance and police, in use since 1997. Source: vugd.gov.lv
• 113 — ambulance (Emergency Medical Service), when someone’s life is in danger. The call is free. Source: nmpd.gov.lv
• Police — the State Police list 112 as their 24-hour number; from abroad call +371 67014002. Source: vp.gov.lv
• 114 — gas emergency service (Gaso), as reported by LSM, Latvia’s public broadcaster. Source: lsm.lv
• 66016001 — family doctors’ advice line: weekdays 17:00–08:00, weekends and public holidays round the clock. Source: nmpd.gov.lv
• The free 112 Latvija app can call or text 112, sends alerts and shows the nearest shelters. Source: vugd.gov.lv