Quick facts about Latvia
Latvia is located in the Baltic Region of Eastern Europe. It shares borders with Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Belarus. Latvia is relatively small, but it has plenty of natural wonders and things to offer the digital nomads who decide to visit.
Latvia is becoming a popular stop for many backpackers and travelers who want to get away from the touristic cities in Eastern Europe. As an up-and-coming destination, Latvia is affordable with many accommodation options and activities. A digital nomad visa for Latvia is definitely something to keep in mind.
Living in Latvia as a digital nomad
Latvia is on its way to becoming a dream destination for digital nomads and expats, especially those looking for a unique type of lifestyle. Over half of the Latvian territory is covered by forest. In fact, it’s known as one of Europe’s greenest countries. Additionally, there are tons of beaches and beautiful, quaint towns.
Attractions and best places to visit
There’s something for everyone in Latvia! There are national parks, gorgeous lakes, Teutonic castles, cliffs, and fascinating historical sites.
If you want to explore the coastline, we recommend heading towards Jurmala. It stretches for around 30km along the curved coastline of Riga Gulf. As a seaside city, Jurmala is known for its many natural resources. While visiting, you can enjoy curative mud, mineral waters, and pine forests.
Latvia’s countryside has many beautiful manor houses that you can visit for a day trip. You can learn about the old aristocracy while enjoying the stunning sights. Visit Rundale Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece with a fantastic rose garden.
If you want to connect with nature, visiting some of Latvia’s natural parks is the way to go. There are four national parks in Latvia, offering hiking trails and stunning sights. All national parks are meant to protect natural values, such as Gutmanis Cavern, the widest and highest one in the Baltics.
These are the four national parks in Latvia:
Gauja National Park
Kemeri National Park
Rāzna National Park
Slitere National Park
However, the top destination in Latvia is Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Riga is an urban treasure with cobbled streets, amazing architecture, and the mighty St. Peter’s Church. Riga has many bars, restaurants, and cafés that are worth visiting. It is also famous for its vibrant nightlife.
Digital Nomad Hotspots
Riga is the primary hotspot for those on a digital nomad visa for Latvia. As mentioned before, the capital city of Latvia is incredibly charming and has lots of sites to visit.
Riga has a variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, and cafés. You can also explore cultural events like going to the Opera, visiting museums, and the church of St. Peters.
Riga also has nice parks alongside the river that offer chill and relaxing scenery.
If you want to live close to the water, Liepaja is the perfect place. It’s by the Baltic coast, and it is a great place to enjoy warm summer days. The city of Liepaja also has many high-quality cultural entertainment events for you to enjoy, like the Concert Hall Great Amber. Liepaja is also famous for having excellent restaurants and charming cafes where you can enjoy the delicacies of Latvian cuisine.
Cost of Living
Latvia is growing very popular among expats. As an up-and-coming destination, Latvia is extremely affordable, with loads of available options in accommodation and activities.
You can rent a furnished studio apartment for €393/month ($418USD). You can find a bigger furnished apartment for €545/month ($580USD). And a basic lunchtime meal costs around €8 ($8.50USD).
Riga’s public transport consists of buses, trams, trolleybuses, and minibusses. You can purchase tickets at Narvesen outlets or at certain stops with ticket machines (though not all stations have them). A one-trip ticket costs €1.15 and a ten-trip ticket costs €10.9. You can purchase a 24-hour ticket for €5, a 2-day ticket for €10, and a 5-day ticket for €15.
Digital Nomad Essentials
Latvia is famous for having great internet connectivity. The country has one of the fastest broadband internet speeds and over 800 free Wi-Fi spots in Riga alone.
Internet connection and mobile data plans are affordable. You’ll pay around €20/month for fast and unlimited internet, and €10 for mobile data.
Latvia has many coworking spaces. We recommend you visit these:
Latvia also has many coffee shops and restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi and provide a great hub to network with others. Check out our favorites which include:
Try our free visa wizard to figure out which visas you qualify for!
Find a visa
Visa Overview
On February 1st, 2022, the Latvian government announced that third-country foreign nationals would be permitted a temporary visa for remote working.
The Digital Nomad visa will promote the immigration of qualified persons who would further contribute to the business industry and thus the economic sector. Authorities in Latvia believe that introducing such a visa will also help the tourism sector, attracting a large number of internationals interested in remote work.
The digital nomad visa will allow the holder to remain in the country for one year. It will also be possible to extend for another year. Those applying will need to show that they have been employed for at least six months, and their income will need to be at least 2.5 times the average monthly salary in Latvia.
Unfortunately, the digital nomad visa for Latvia is not available yet, but it will soon come into force.
Citizen Remote has a broad range of resources to assist with the exciting process of relocating to another country!
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Latvia
As of right now, the visa is designed for third-country nationals who wish to live in the Baltic State of Latvia. In order to be eligible, you must be working from home for an international-register employer or be a self-employed person.
The Immigration Law clarifies that third-country nationals are considered all persons except those from the European Union or the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Eligible applicants must prove they work with an employer registered abroad for at least six months. They must also make a minimum average salary of €2,857.50 per month. The visa will be granted for a period of one year, with the possibility to renew it for an additional year.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Latvia
Since the visa was just approved on February 1st, 2022, the whole application process has not been disclosed yet. We’ll update this page as soon as the next steps are confirmed.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa for Latvia
Valid passport
Medical insurance
Documents to indicate the purpose of stay in the country (these will specify the intention to work remotely with an existing employer).
Proof of financial income
Application form
Proof of having paid the applicable visa fee
There is a possibility that the above list could have some minor changes once we know more about the digital nomad visa for Latvia. As soon as the Latvian government releases more information, we will provide updates!
How much does it cost?
This information is not available yet. We will update this page as soon as we know more!
Timeline for Applying
The full timeline for applying is not yet available since applications are not open yet. We’ll update this page as soon as more information is released!
Curious about what digital nomad visas you qualify for? Enter your details in our Visa Wizard to find out!
