Living in Latvia in 2025
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Latvia combines Northern European structure with Eastern European affordability. As an EU and Schengen member, it offers legal stability and access to wider European labour markets — while remaining one of the more affordable places to live long-term.
Key reasons people move to Latvia include:
- Lower living costs than most Western and Northern European countries
- EU residency and Schengen access
- Riga as an international-capable capital city
- Strong logistics, IT, and service sectors
- Slower pace of life than larger capitals
Cost of living in Latvia (2025)
Latvia remains one of the more affordable EU countries.
Typical monthly expenses (single person)
- Rent (1-bedroom apartment, Riga): €500–800
- Utilities: €130–220 (winter heating can be significant)
- Groceries: €180–280
- Public transport: €30–40
- Internet and mobile: €15–30
- Health insurance (private, optional): €40–70
A realistic single-person budget is €850–1,250, depending on lifestyle and location.
For exact inputs and methodology used across the site, see: Latvia statistics & methodology.
Housing and where people live
Riga dominates the housing market. Outside the capital, prices drop notably, but international jobs and English-first services become less common.
Main cities
- Riga – Capital, largest job market, most international
- Jūrmala – Coastal city popular with families and retirees
- Daugavpils – Affordable regional city with fewer expats
Jobs, salaries and expat-friendly work
Latvia’s job market is smaller than in neighbouring Estonia or Lithuania, but opportunities exist — especially in service centres, logistics and IT. English is common in international companies in Riga, while Latvian matters more for long-term career progression.
Common fields
- Shared service centres
- Logistics and transport
- IT and technical support
- Tourism and hospitality
- Multilingual customer service
Taxes and healthcare
Latvia operates a relatively simple tax system with progressive income tax and mandatory social contributions. Public healthcare exists for registered residents, but many expats prefer private clinics and private insurance for faster access.
Expat life and integration
English is common in Riga, but less so outside the capital. Latvian is challenging but pays off over time. Russian is still widely spoken, which can help in some contexts — but is becoming less central for newcomers.
Climate and lifestyle
Latvia has cold, dark winters and mild summers with strong seasonal contrast. Nature plays a big role, with forests, beaches, and national parks close to major cities.
Pros and cons of living in Latvia
Advantages
- Affordable cost of living
- EU residency benefits
- Calm lifestyle
- Access to nature
- Lower population density
Challenges
- Long winters
- Smaller job market
- Language barrier
- Limited career growth outside Riga