Moving to Latvia | Emigrating to Latvia
Moving to Latvia: Latvia is a northern European country in the centre of the Baltic, between Lithuania and Estonia. It has been experiencing an economic boom in recent years and many expats from all over the world are relocating there.
Latvia has unspoiled natural landscapes, outstanding and diverse wildlife and a pleasant-cool climate, which is why it is an increasingly popular expat destination.
The climate in Latvia can be described as relatively cool, whereby it can be quite cold in the winter and reach up to 18 degrees in the summer. The average annual temperature in Riga is about 6 degrees Celsius. However, Latvia does have a high number of annual hours of sunshine, which are well above the average in Central Europe.
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Cost of Living
The cost of living in Latvia is relatively modest, especially in comparison with Switzerland, although it cannot be described as low. This is because, together with wages, they have risen a bit in recent years, although on average they are still below the Western European level.
In general, it can be said that Riga tends to be more expensive than it is in the countryside or in smaller cities, which is what Swiss expats should consider when moving to Estonia.
Healthcare
Even though the healthcare system in Latvia is basically free, the quality, especially outside of Riga, cannot be compared to the standards in Switzerland or other Western European countries. This is why it is advisable to take out private health insurance.
This is definitely recommended for those expats who move to Latvia with their family.
Working in Latvia
An encouraging development in recent years is that Latvian workers have received by far the most significant increases in their salaries throughout Europe. Additionally, there are also many career opportunities for expats in the Latvian labour market.
This is as a result of a shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, IT sector, medical field and many other qualified positions. But also engineers, logisticians, as well as specialists in the energy sector, wood processing, drinking water supply and wastewater management have very good chances of finding a job in Latvia.
Although Latvia has a comparatively high unemployment rate, well qualified and educated people will find plenty of opportunities to find a job. Expats will see that it is advantageous to have decent language skills and will find it a major positive when attending job interviews.
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Language
If you are thinking of permanently settling in Latvia, you should definitely think about learning the Latvian language, at least to a basic level. This greatly facilitates integration into Latvian society and culture, and will also help to build faster friendships with the locals. Language is also an important skill in Latvian working life, which can make a big difference and greatly increase the chances of finding a good job.
Nevertheless, English is spoken by a good portion of the population and the Russian and German languages are also relatively common in Latvia. Therefore, it can be helpful to master these languages as it will bring many benefits to all areas of your life.
For your move to Latvia
If you have decided to move from Switzerland to Latvia, then we are the right moving company to help you. We plan, organise and carry out your move in the most professional way, working closely with our partner companies in Latvia throughout the process.
Together, we make sure that your move is quick, easy and satisfying and that you can focus on your new life in Latvia while ensuring that all your belongings arrive at your new place of residence in a timely manner.
Kehrli + Oeler – your reliable relocation company when moving to Latvia.
Kehrli + Oeler AG Berne
Weyermannsstrasse 10
CH-3008 Berne
Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)31 388 81 11
removal@kehrlioeler.ch
Kehrli + Oeler AG Kloten
Steinackerstrasse 2
CH-8302 Zurich – Kloten
Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)44 866 32 11
removal.zurich@kehrlioeler.ch
Kehrli + Oeler AG Zurich
Baumgasse 10
CH-8005 Zurich
Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)44 860 00 07
removal.zurich.city@kehrlioeler.ch
