Latvia is a Baltic state with a steadily growing economy. Since 2004 it has been a member of the European Union, and in 2014 joined the Eurozone. Working in Latvia attracts Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians with comfortable conditions for foreign specialists and the frequent absence of a language barrier.
Economic situation
According to Eurostat, Latvia's GDP growth in 2017 was the largest among the eurozone countries. The European Commission predicts an increase in this indicator in 2021 - by 3.2%... The unemployment rate is decreasing every year and amounted to in 2021 8.5%.
Agriculture, woodworking industry, transit and tourism services are well developed in Latvia. The younger generation of the state aspires to more developed EU countries with high salaries. Therefore, to maintain the economic potential, the Latvian government attracts skilled labor from abroad. In particular, from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Competition in the labor market exists mainly for highly paid specialties. These include computer technology and construction. Here qualifications and knowledge of the Latvian language play an important role in employment.
Benefits of working in Latvia:
- ecology;
- the relative cheapness of life;
- a large number of Russian-speaking employers;
- low taxes.
The disadvantages include:
- the complexity of the legislation in the employment of foreign citizens;
- small salaries;
- impossibility of getting a high-paying job without knowing the language.
Professions in demand in 2021
The most in-demand specialties require knowledge of the Latvian language. Average salary in some positions:
| Position | Monthly salary, euros | Monthly salary, rub |
| IT specialist | 1000 | 75 000 |
| Programmer | 1600 | 120 000 |
| Dentist | 900 | 67 500 |
| Pharmacist | 750 | 56 250 |
| Civil engineer | 1600 | 120 000 |
| Builder (bricklayer, painter, finisher) | 700 | 52 500 |
| Car mechanic | 600 | 45 000 |
| International driver | 750 | 56 250 |
| Salesman | 430 | 32 250 |
| Waiter | 500 | 37 500 |
| Social worker | 460 | 34 500 |
| Cook | 550 | 41 250 |
You May Also Like
Due to the development of the woodworking industry, many factories and factories require workers.
Wage level
From January 1, 2018, the minimum wage in Latvia is 430 euros per month... Qualified specialists receive monthly about 1000 euros, unskilled workers (service industry, movers, sellers, waiters) - 450–600.
The average salary in Latvia depends on the region:
| Town | Monthly salary, euro |
| Vidzeme | 720 |
| Zemgale | 760 |
| Kurzeme | 760 |
| Latgale | 620 |
| Riga | 1040 |
Working hours
According to Article 130 of the Labor Law, an employee must work no more than 8 hours a day. The total working hours are 40 hours per week. Excess of the total working time due to the specifics of the work (continuous production, service company) is permissible after the approval of the trade union organization. But the duration should not exceed 56 hours per week or 160 hours in a four week period.
How to find a job without intermediaries
You can find out about vacancies by contacting relatives and friends living in Latvia. But there are other ways to find a job.
Popular sites
Job sites in Latvia:
- www.cv.lv
- www.ss.com
- www.cvonline.com
International portals:
- www.careerjet.com
- www.learn4good.com
You May Also Like
Specialized resources, agencies
The largest selection of vacancies is posted on the website of the Latvian employment agency www.nva.gov.lv.
Also vacancies are advertised in Latvian newspapers:
- Dienas bizness, the official website www.db.lv;
- Baltic Times, the official website www.baltictimes.com.
Employment types
A Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian who has documentary evidence of his qualifications (diploma, an extract from a work book, recommendations from the last job) have great chances of finding a job with a good salary. Proficiency in the Latvian language is desirable at least at a conversational level.
Work without knowing the language
Nearly 25% the indigenous population of Latvia is Russian-speaking, which increases the chances of citizens of the former CIS to get a well-paid job.
Basically, without knowledge of the language, only unskilled temporary work is available:
- nanny;
- nurse;
- housekeeper;
- gardener;
- loader;
- handyman;
- Street cleaner.
The average salary of these workers does not exceed 500 Euro.
Seasonal work
Seasonal employment is very popular among labor migrants. The work is provided by local agricultural enterprises and farmers during the collection, processing of crops and berries. Average monthly salary - 500-600 euros.
Temporary job
Knowledge of the Latvian language and communication skills will help to get a temporary job:
- administrator;
- waiter;
- salesman;
- nanny;
- nurse.
Other options
Recruitment agencies and companies at the place of residence are recruiting construction workers to work in Latvia on a rotational basis. Knowledge of the language is not required. The agency itself deals with the registration of permits, the organization of travel, accommodation and meals.
Official device procedure
Official employment in the territory of Latvia is possible subject to meeting certain requirements and obtaining permits.
In Latvia it is prohibited to hire:
- children under 15 years old and those receiving primary education - up to 18 years old;
- adolescents from 15 to 18 years old to work with an increased risk to safety, health, moral development.
Priority of actions
First of all, the employer registers a vacancy or vacancy with the State Employment Service (GAZ). If within a month there are no applicants from Latvia or the EU, then Gaz approves the document on the employment of a foreign citizen.
Employment for up to 90 days within six months provides for an invitation to work, more than 90 days - a call.
Further:
- An employment contract (contract) is concluded between the employer and the applicant (applicant).
- The employer sends a call or invitation to work.
- Permanent residence is determined.
- A work visa and a residence permit are issued.
- Upon arrival in Latvia, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde) issues a work permit.
Types of work permits
Drawn up at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia within 3 days from the date of arrival in the country on the basis of:
- long-term visa (type D) for a period of 1 year;
- on the basis of a residence permit - for the entire duration of the employment contract.
Issued under a specific employment contract. Since 2014, the permit to the obtained residence permit is issued and stored electronically.
Categories that do not require a work permit
No work permit required:
- holders of the EU blue card;
- representatives of creative professions with contracts concluded with state-owned companies;
- athletes and coaches invited by the Latvian Sports Federation;
- teachers accredited in Latvian universities;
- employees and officials working in Latvia under international agreements;
- owners of private companies in the territory of Latvia.
The renewal of the work permit is not possible. After the expiration of the term, a new one is drawn up.
Work permit
If a migrant loses his job, he is automatically deprived of his residence rights in Latvia and must leave the country.
List of required documents
To obtain a permit, you will need a list of documents:
- statement;
- labor contract;
- color photograph 3.5x4.5 cm;
- work visa or residence permit;
- international passport;
- diploma of education;
- an extract from the work book;
- medical insurance;
- lease agreement or confirmation of the provision of housing by the employer.
Form for obtaining a work permit
Registration of a work visa
Work Visa Is a document required for the employment of foreign citizens in the territory of Latvia.
Types of visas to Latvia
Depending on the purpose of visiting the country, visas of different categories are issued:
- A - transit, issued to passengers traveling to other states;
- WITH - Schengen, short-term (one-, two-, multiple), allows you to stay in Latvia for 90 days within six months, does not give the right to work;
- D - long-term, valid for 1 year with the right of extension, allows you to work, open your own business;
- Latvia Working Holiday Visa - according to a bilateral agreement, allows citizens of Canada and New Zealand to live and work in Latvia for 1 year.
Long-term visa type D and residence permit are issued at the Latvian Consulate of the country of residence. The application is submitted 3 months before departure. The questionnaires are received and filled out at the Consulate. There, the applicant's biometric data is taken.
Work visa (type D)
Resident card
A long-term visa to Latvia gives the right to free movement within the EU countries and the participants of the Schengen agreement for 90 days in six months.
Selection Criteria for Applicants for a Work Visa
When considering applicants for work in Latvia, the following are taken into account:
- age;
- speciality;
- professional experience;
- qualification;
- no criminal record;
- health status;
- knowledge of the language.
Work visa extension
A work visa can be extended for a maximum of 30 days. The procedure is free for migrants who have submitted documents to the Latvian Migration Department confirming the reasons that do not allow them to leave the country at the specified time. Extension of a visa for personal reasons is allowed after payment of a fee 30 euros.
A residence permit is issued initially for 1 year with the right to extend it up to 5 years.
Upon arrival in Latvia, employees with a residence permit receive an identification electronic ID-card, which is an identity card with a personal code.
Business immigration
One of the simplified ways to obtain a residence permit in Latvia.
There are several options for business immigration:
- Starting a business with an authorized capital of at least 50,000 euros, an annual turnover of up to 10 million euros and payment of taxes more than 40,000 euros... The number of founders is no more than 3 people, employees - up to 50.
- Registration of a business with authorized capital 150,000 euros, with an annual turnover of over 10 million euros. The number of founders - up to 10 people, employees - more than 50 people.
- Investing in a Latvian company at least 150,000 euros.
Internship in Latvia
For students graduating from a university, it is a good option for gaining international experience and starting a professional career.
Popular internship destinations:
- banking;
- ecology;
- pharmaceutical industry;
- forestry;
- transport and logistic.
Through grants and scholarships allocated by the government, one can undertake research related to the history and culture of Latvia as an internship.
Information about internships and volunteer programs is posted on the sites:
- www.helpx.net
- www.prakse.lv
Illegal employment
Punished by imposing a fine on the employer in the amount of up to 2000 euros... Illegal is fined in the amount 700 euros and is deported from a country with a ban on entry for a period up to 10 years.
Some difficulties in finding a job and low salaries do not reduce the number of labor migrants. The obtained residence permit opens up opportunities for unhindered movement across the EU countries and obtaining Latvian citizenship in 5 years.
