Guidance

Living in Latvia

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Latvia, including guidance on residency, passports and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
15 November 2013
Last updated
23 October 2024 — See all updates

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Latvia. Read about how our embassy in Riga can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Latvian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

If you were living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you have been living in Latvia since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Visas and residency

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Latvia.

Once you are resident in Latvia you must also declare your place of residence. You can do this:

Visas and residency if you were living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

If you applied for your new residency document ‘uzturēšanās atļauja’ by 30 June 2021, your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, pending a decision on your application. You should continue the process to get your new residence card if you do not have it yet.

You must renew your uzturēšanās atļauja when it expires.

If you have not had a response to your uzturēšanās atļauja application within 30 days, contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Appeal process

If your application is refused, you will be notified about the appeals process. Read the Latvian government advice on how to appeal a residency decision.

Family members

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Latvia at any time in the future. Find more information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance. Your family members will need to apply to OCMA for a residence permit. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Latvian authorities should issue family reunion visas free of charge.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Latvia.

Check the Latvia travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to British citizenship, you should enter and leave Latvia using your EU or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Latvia with a Latvian residence permit or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Latvia, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Latvia. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

When you travel, carry your uzturēšanās atļauja residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, show your certificate of application.

If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Latvia, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can enter and exit Latvia with a valid passport. You do not need any additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The EU plans to introduce a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES). The exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed.

This will require third country nationals, including UK nationals, visiting the EU to create a digital record and provide their biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) at the border when they enter the EU’s Schengen Zone.

UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (those who were lawfully resident in the EU before 1 January 2021) will be exempt from registration in EES, provided they hold the correct documentation.

In Latvia, this is the Latvian Residence Permit card with the reference to the subcategory of Article 50 (Right of residence under the withdrawal agreement). If you have this document, you will not need to register in the EES when traveling. Please keep your card with you when travelling and replace it promptly if it is lost, stolen or out of date. You will still need a passport to travel.

UK nationals who hold other residence permits issued to third country nationals under the general system for legal residents in Latvia are also exempt from EES. You can apply for one of these documents from Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Latvia and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

You should also read guidance on:

Working in Latvia

If you are planning to move to Latvia and work, you may need a visa.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK criminal records check.

All citizens registered in Latvia are given a personal tax code. When you get your first job in Latvia, your employer applies to the State Revenue Service for your unique code.

When you receive your unique tax code, you can use this with future employers in Latvia. Your employer is responsible for deducting your income tax and social security payments from your income.

If you are self-employed, you must register with the tax authorities yourself. You will be responsible for calculating and paying your tax and social security contributions.

Read:

If you work in Latvia, even if you work for a UK-based company, this may affect where you pay National Insurance-type contributions. Read the National insurance and social security contributions section for more information.

If you were living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if you have a uzturēšanās atļauja residence document or have applied for one.

If you live in Latvia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Latvia.

Read guidance on:

If you were already living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Latvia officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

Studying in Latvia

If you are planning to study in Latvia, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Latvia to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

If you were already living in Latvia before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes information if you were already living in Latvia before 1 January 2021.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Latvia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Latvia. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Latvia.

You can also seek professional advice at the Latvian Association of Accountants.

Read guidance on:

National Insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Latvia. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Latvia.

If you plan to move to Latvia and work, even if you continue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Latvia. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Latvia.

Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland.

You can also check your UK National Insurance record.

Read guidance on:

Benefits

UK benefits

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Latvia.

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Latvian benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Latvian social security benefits if you have made enough social security contributions in Latvia.

To get benefits you must have a residence document and be living in Latvia for employment or family reasons.

The State Social Insurance Agency has more information.

Pensions

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Latvia.

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire to Latvia, you can claim:

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on banking, insurance and financial services for more information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Driving in Latvia

You can use your UK driving license in Latvia until it expires. You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Latvia. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Latvia:

Exchanging your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence

You can exchange your UK driving licence for a Latvian one. To exchange, you must submit your Latvian ID card (which has your Latvian personal code) and a medical certificate. You can get the medical certificate from a GP or medical institution providing driving medical certificates.

Your Latvian driving licence will show the same vehicle categories listed in your UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man licence. Alternatively, it will show the equivalent Latvian categories.

You do not need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Latvia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Latvian disabled parking card.

Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with disabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Latvia

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If you live in Latvia, you must register your car and change it so that it is suitable for left-hand driving. You have 6 months from the date you register your residency to do this. The Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate has more information.

Driving outside Latvia with a Latvian licence

You can use your Latvian licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to- date with the UK Highway Code.

If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Latvian licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Latvian licence you may need to apply for an IDP.

Read the EU guidance on:

Voting

You cannot vote in local municipal, national or European Parliament elections in Latvia.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Latvia, you can register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Latvia read our guidance on:

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need:

Pets

If you’re moving to Latvia with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.

Read guidance on:

Emergencies

Dial the European emergency number 112 in Latvia for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

  • 110 for the police
  • 113 for first aid
  • 114 for a gas emergency
  • 112 for the fire brigade

‘My safety’ emergency app, which provides the caller’s location, is available in Latvia to contact the emergency services. Users with disabilities can access the emergency services by SMS to 112 or through the ‘My safety’ emergency app.

Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; Latvian Ministry of Justice guidance on child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Riga.

Returning to the UK

Tell the Latvian and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Useful information

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.

Updates to this page

Published 15 November 2013
Last updated 23 October 2024 + show all updates

  1. "Passports and travel" section has been updated with information on EU introducing a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES).

  2. New guidance on EU Entry/Exit System (EES) that applies from autumn 2024 added to the ‘Passports and travel’ section.

  3. Removal of the reference to COVID - 19

  4. Important information in the Working in Latvia, and National insurance sections if you work in Latvia, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

  5. Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on driving in Latvia and national insurance and social security contributions.

  6. Guidance reviewed for people who are moving or moved to Latvia after 1 January 2021. Following the residency application deadline, it also includes sub-sections relevant to people living there since before 1 January 2021.

  7. Healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Latvia section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

  8. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  9. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on pet travel and moving to Latvia

  10. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

  11. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

  12. Visa and residency section updated with information about how to apply for the new residency document.

  13. Added information relating to an online event about new resident permits for UK nationals in Latvia.

  14. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.

  15. Visa and residency section updated with new guidance on residency permits that expired during state of emergency.

  16. New information on the Withdrawal Agreement and a new link to Latvian government guidance on residency

  17. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

  18. Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

  19. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

  20. EU Exit update: ´Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU' has been updated. The section now has information about travel to EEA and EFTA countries.

  21. EU Exit update: added updated information in passports, pensions and returning to the UK section

  22. EU Exit update: updated EU Exit information in voting, healthcare and visas and residency sections

  23. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

  24. EU Exit update: Added link to Brexit information on the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website in the EU Exit section and added information on registration in the event of ‘No Deal’ from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs website to the visas and residency section. Please see the [information on the OCMA webpage](https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/services/information-on-brexit.html) on registration in the event of ‘No Deal’ scenario.

  25. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

  26. EU Exit update: Added link to national outreach event to EU Exit section and link to Department for Transport website with information about exchanging driving licences to the driving section.

  27. EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare

  28. EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.

  29. EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

  30. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  31. First published.

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