Essentials
- City
- Riga, Vidzeme, Latvia
- Population
- 605,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber is standard; one of the fastest in Europe)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: Swedbank, SEB, Citadele
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe, though some old buildings have metallic pipes; filters recommended
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- LMT, Tele2, Bite. Prepaid cards (e.g., Zelta Zivtiņa) available for €5 at Narvesen kiosks
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely used. Local accounts available with residence permit
- Accommodation
- Booking.com, Airbnb, and local site City24.lv for long-term rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless. Even small markets and food stalls accept contactless payments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blue Bird Hostel, and Tree House Hostel (€35–€80/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers (~€18/night for dorms, Old Town)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vecrīga (Old Town) for history; Centrs for Art Nouveau architecture
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Quiet Center (Klusais centrs) or Āgenskalns (trendy, green, left bank)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Teikums (Jaunā Teika) - €15/day, €170/month; OraculeTang Space - €20/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- MiiT Coffee (Lāčplēša iela 10) - great Wi-Fi and vegetarian food; Rocket Bean Roastery
- Networking Events
- Riga TechGirls meetups, Digital Freedom Festival, and TechChill (February/March)
- Social Events for Expats
- Riga Expats & Nomads Facebook group; weekly meetups at Aussie Backpackers Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (cheaper and more reliable than Uber in Riga)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bolt Scooters (~€0.15/min), Sixt Bicycle sharing
- Best Beach Nearby
- Jūrmala (Majori/Dzintari) - 30 mins by train for €1.50
- Top Regional Airline
- airBaltic (Hub at RIX)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Finnair, Ryanair, Norwegian
- Highway Access
- A1 to Estonia (Tallinn), A2 to Sigulda, A7 to Lithuania (Vilnius)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rīgas Centrālā stacija (Riga Central Station)
- Public Transport Passes
- E-talons (Yellow ticket). 1.50€ for 90-minute transfer; 30-day pass for €30
- Regional Travel
- Lux Express or FlixBus for international trips to Tallinn/Vilnius (~€15-€25)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Riga East University Hospital (RAKUS) or ARS Medical Centre (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Labo Sajūtu Laboratorija; Urban Yoga (Antonijas iela)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MyFitness (Multiple locations) - ~€40/month; Lemon Gym - ~€20/month
- Laundry Services
- Irve (Dry cleaning chain); Pūce Self-service laundry (Stabu iela)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Bolt Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pelmeņi (dumplings) at Pelmeņi XL; Grey peas with bacon (Pelēkie zirņi)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kozy Eats; Terapija (Stabu iela); Mazā Terapija
- Best Dessert Spots
- Muffins and More; Mulberry (luxury pastries); Rigensis (Old Town)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Riga Central Market (Centrāltirgus) - Europe's largest bazaar in zeppelin hangars
- E-commerce/Online Store
- 220.lv, 1a.lv, Amazon.de (ships to Latvia)
- Grocery Delivery
- Barbora (Maxima), Rimi.lv, Wolt Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Tallinas ielas kvartāls (Creative/Hipster quarter); Briāna iela
- Local Brewery
- Labietis (Aristida Briāna iela 9a); Valmiermuiža Embassy
- Wine Bars
- Vīnu Veikals & Kafejnīca (Kalnciema iela); Easy Wine (Old Town)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kalnciema Street Market (Saturdays); Central Market Food Court
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Catch (Japanese/Sushi); Shoyu (Ramen); Stock Pot (Asian fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Freedom Monument, St. Peter's Church (viewpoint), Art Nouveau District
- Museums & Art Venues
- Latvian National Museum of Art; Zuzeum Art Centre; Museum of the Occupation
- Historical Sites
- House of the Blackheads; Riga Castle; Swedish Gate
- Religious Sites
- Riga Cathedral (Doms); Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Līgo/Jāņi (Summer Solstice, June); Staro Rīga (Light festival, November)
- Cultural Districts
- Spīķeri Creative District; Kalnciema Quarter
- Theater Venues
- Latvian National Opera and Ballet; Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre
- Local Markets
- Agenskalns Market (renovated 19th-century pavilion); Central Market
- Music Scene
- Palladium Riga; Lielā Ģilde (Great Guild) for classical
- Street Art
- Ganiņu dambis area; Tallinas Kvartāls murals
- Cooking Classes
- Viesistaba Vintage (cooking workshops and events)
- Art Galleries
- Kim? Contemporary Art Centre; ISSP Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Latvian Academy of Sciences (Stalinist architecture); Three Brothers
- Local Heritage
- Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum (Brīvdabas muzejs)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mežaparks (city forest and lake); Ķemeri National Park (Great Bog Boardwalk)
- National Parks Nearby
- Gauja National Park (Sigulda) - 1 hour by train
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Riga-Jūrmala bike path (20km); Promenade along the Daugava River
- Scenic Viewpoints
- St. Peter's Church bell tower (€9); Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija terrace
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lake Kanieris (Ķemeri Park); Mangaļsala pier
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lucavsala Recreation Park; Vecāķi beach designated zones
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Omniva and DPD parcel machines (found everywhere); Latvijas Pasts
- Tech Repair Services
- iMaster (Apple repairs); Datoru ātrā palīdzība
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tallinas Kvartāls (Outdoor); Lucavsala Park
- Language Classes
- Latvian Language Agency; Skrivanek Language School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Latvian National Library (Castle of Light) - spectacular work spaces
- Community Centers
- Kanepes Kultūras Centrs; Kaņieris Youth Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Goexanimo (Esplanāde area)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Olympic Voodoo Casino (Radisson Blu Latvija)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800/m² (€112,000 for 40m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,500/m² (€60,000 for 40m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600/m² (€156,000 for 60m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,400/m² (€84,000 for 60m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,400/m² (€192,000 for 80m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,300/m² (€104,000 for 80m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (only on distributed profits; 0% on reinvested earnings)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (if 20% CIT was paid at profit distribution)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; Flat tax elements
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 31% (for income above €78,100)
- VAT
- 21%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to non-EU/EEA low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Typically 0.2% - 1.5% of cadastral value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% State Fee (for individuals buying residential)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Latvia offers a Digital Nomad Visa for citizens of OECD countries; 15% flat tax option for specific setups