Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-latvia
Change description : 2020-09-07 12:02:00: Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-06-19 11:45:01 +00:00..2020-09-07 11:04:26 +00:00
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Latvia, including guidance on residency, passports, driving and the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should follow the advice of the Latvian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Latvia travel advice for our latest guidance.
You should:
The British Embassy regularly holds events in Latvia for UK nationals. SeeUpcoming outreach events will be advertised here, see a summary of past outreach meetings.
You can also:
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.
If you are resident in Latvia at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Latvia.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Latvia. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.
Check the entry requirements for Latvia.
If you are resident in Latvia before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.
If you plan to stay in Latvia for longer than 3 consecutive months, you must register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).
Once resident in Latvia you must also declare your place of residence. You can do this:
Read the Latvian government’s guidance on residency registration processes.
If your residency permit expired between 11 February 2020 and 9 June 2020, and you were unable to renew it due to the coronavirus state of emergency, you have until 9 August 2020 to renew it with the OCMA.
You can still use the expired permit as a form of identification during this time.
Read section 22 of the law that sets out the rules for the end of the state of emergency (in Latvian).
If there are changes to residency rules or registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available. Sign up to our email alerts.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Latvia.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
You’llYou can apply for or renew your British passport from Latvia.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Latvia, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
WeAs a non-EEA national, different border checks will updateapply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these pagescountries.
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To upstay for updateslonger, to thiswork guidance.or study, or for business travel, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.
Periods of stay authorised under a visa or permit will not count against the 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
You should exchange your UK licence for a Latvian driving licence. You can still use your Latvian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
For information on driving in Latvia, read our guidance on:
what you need to drive abroad
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
If you are resident in Latvia, you must register your car and make the necessary changes so that it is suitable for left-hand driving. You have 6 months from the date you registered your residency to do this. The Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate has more information.
You can read the EU´s guidance on car registration and taxes in Latvia. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.
If you are living in Latvia or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Latvia as you do now, provided you remain resident.
If you are a permanent resident of Latvia, you are entitled to the same healthcare as Latvian nationals. If you are a temporary resident and live in Latvia in connection with your employment or you are self-employed, you and your family members can receive state-funded healthcare services.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Latvia and how to register.
If you live in Latvia and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You must apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
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If you are resident in Latvia, you must not use your EHIC from the UK for healthcare in Latvia.
When you travel from Latvia for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
There will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.
You should also read guidance on:
Read our guidance on working in an EU country.
Some jobs may need you to apply for a UK criminal records check.
Your employer will need to apply to the State Revenue Service for your unique tax code. If you already have a personal code in Latvia, they will use this. 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.
If you are resident in Latvia on or before the 31 December 2020, your right to work will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Latvia.
If you are resident in Latvia on or before 31 December 2020, your right to study will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Latvia.
Read the guidance on continuing your studies in the European Union.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Latvia to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Latvia have not changed.
Read the guidance on:
We recommend you 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.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire to Latvia, you can claim:
your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim
your Latvian pension, if you have worked in Latvia
pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries
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 don’t.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.
If you are living in Latvia by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Latvia you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Latvian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.
ReadIf you are considering moving to Latvia on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Latvia. You must:
read our guidance on claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
use our tool to check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re 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.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
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 Security Agency has more information.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Latvia, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Latvian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after 31 December 2020.
ReadIf you are considering moving to Latvia on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You cannot vote in local municipal elections in Latvia or European Parliament elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote
If your child is born in Latvia, you will need to register a birth abroad.
If someone dies in Latvia you can:
read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need:
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet to the UK.
Dial the European emergency number on 112 or Latvia also has:
110 – police
113 – first aid
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Riga.
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.
If you return to the UK check if your tax status will change.
If you get healthcare in Latvia through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Latvian authorities. The ForeignForeign, Commonwealth & CommonwealthDevelopment Office (FCO)(FCDO) will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.
Visa and residency section updated with new guidance on residency permits that expired during state of emergency.
New information on the Withdrawal Agreement and a new link to Latvian government guidance on residency
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
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.
EU Exit update: added updated information in passports, pensions and returning to the UK section
EU Exit update: updated EU Exit information in voting, healthcare and visas and residency sections
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
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.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
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.
EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
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.
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
First published.
2025-08-22 08:13
“Passports and travel” section has been updated with information on EU introducing a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025.
2024-10-23 14:07
“Passports and travel” section has been updated with information on EU introducing a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES).
2024-06-20 09:29
New guidance on EU Entry/Exit System (EES) that applies from autumn 2024 added to the ‘Passports and travel’ section.
2023-08-31 10:39
Removal of the reference to COVID – 19
2022-03-11 08:00
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.
2021-02-11 14:21
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
2020-09-07 12:02
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.
2020-06-19 12:35
Visa and residency section updated with new guidance on residency permits that expired during state of emergency.
2020-02-05 12:07
New information on the Withdrawal Agreement and a new link to Latvian government guidance on residency
2020-01-23 14:29
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 17:38
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 16:42
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-06-06 15:46
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.
2019-04-16 10:25
EU Exit update: added updated information in passports, pensions and returning to the UK section
2019-04-10 16:43
EU Exit update: updated EU Exit information in voting, healthcare and visas and residency sections