Planning a workation in Jurmala or a business trip to Riga? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Latvia, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Riga
Telephone code
+371
Official language
Latvian
Currency
Euro
Time zone
EET (UTC+2)
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly.
As part of the European Union, Latvia follows regulations that coordinate social security among EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. One key regulation is Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, which ensures that social security systems operate smoothly across borders.
Additionally, Latvia has entered into numerous social security treaties with other countries to avoid dual contributions, available here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid A1 certificate (if traveling from another EU country to Latvia) or a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) (if traveling from a country outside the EU).
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, many of Latvian tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. In addition to these guidelines, Latvia has signed tax treaties with numerous countries, available here.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Latvia, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
PWD notification obligations
Under European law, employers are generally required to register their employees’ postings with local labour authorities in the destination country, i.e. to submit a PWD notification. This notification serves several important purposes, including balancing worker mobility with the protection of their rights. PWD notification obligations apply in Latvia.
As a consequence, to stay compliant with the PWD obligations, employees traveling to Latvia must comply with several local working conditions, notably must receive at least the same pay as local employees in similar roles. Find out more about the PWD notifications in Latvia here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Latvia, here’s a quick overview:
- Short-term stay: If you’re a citizen or residence permit holder from a Schengen Zone country, you can enjoy a stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. If you're coming from a non-Schengen country, you’ll likely need a Schengen Visa (Type C) for short stays of up to 90 days.
- Long-term stay: Planning to stay longer than 90 days? In that case, you’ll probably need to apply for a residence permit or a long-stay visa.
For those planning business trips to Latvia, here’s what you need to know:
- Short-term trip: If you’re a citizen or a residence permit holder of a Schengen country, you can enter Latvia for short business trips without needing a visa, and you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For travelers from non-Schengen countries, you’ll likely need a Schengen Business Visa. This visa allows you to move freely throughout the Schengen Area for your business activities.
- Long-stay visa: If your business plans involve staying longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a specific long-stay visa. The requirements can vary based on the nature of your business activities, so it's a good idea to check the specifics in advance.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Latvia work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is usually from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of about 1 hour.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Good Friday: Date varies
- Easter Monday: Date varies
- May 1: Labor Day
- May 4: Restoration of Independence Day
- June 23: Līgo Day (Midsummer)
- June 24: Jāņi Day (St. John's Day)
- November 18: Independence Day
- December 24: Christmas Eve
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Second Day of Christmas
- December 31: New Year's Eve
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. In addition to adhering to your home country's regulations, it’s important to note that since Latvia is a member of the EU, the GDPR will be applicable during your trip.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to your company's internal data policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use secure network connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be aware of phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep your devices in a secure location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock your screen whenever applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Latvia for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it’s essential to have adequate health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, responsibility can sometimes be less clear. Regardless of whether insurance is provided by the employer or purchased by the employee, international coverage is crucial for a safe and secure trip.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) grants access to public healthcare services within Latvia's national health system, covering essential services like doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescription medications (urgent or necessary medical care to the same extent as for local residents). The EHIC is valid only at public healthcare facilities, so check your private health insurance policy to confirm whether additional coverage is provided for private healthcare services.
- Citizens of other countries: Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Crime
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, occurs particularly in tourist areas near Riga Central Station. Car theft and break-ins are possible across many areas, especially in unguarded parking lots and when valuables or luggage are visible inside the vehicle.
In bars and other venues, occasional credit card fraud, inflated bills, and, less frequently, the use of narcotics in drinks can occur. Trustworthy bars are marked as "tourist-friendly" with a seal of approval from the Riga Tourist Board.
Safety Tips:
- Keep money, ID cards, driver’s license, and other important documents safe; consider saving electronic copies or photos if necessary. This will facilitate replacement if needed.
- Never leave luggage, your credit card, or drinks unattended in bars.
- Use guarded parking spaces when possible, and avoid leaving valuables or luggage in your car.
- Prefer cashless payments and only carry the cash you need for the day, avoiding unnecessary valuables.
- Be particularly cautious in large crowds, such as at airports, train stations, markets, and on public transport, and monitor your belongings closely.
- Be skeptical of unusual emails, phone calls, notifications of winnings, offers, or requests for assistance from individuals who claim to know you. Avoid sharing personal information; verify credibility in person if necessary, or contact the police.
Latvia has a humid continental climate, with relatively mild summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Summer (June to August): Temperatures range from 17°C to 23°C (63°F to 73°F), with moderate rainfall.
- Winter (December to February): Temperatures range from -6°C to 0°C (21°F to 32°F), with snowfall common.
- Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November): Mild and wet, with temperatures generally between 5°C and 15°C (41°F to 59°F).
Airports
Riga International Airport (RIX)
- Location: Riga, Latvia's primary international airport.
- When to use: Ideal for accessing the capital and major cities, with numerous international and European connections.
Train stations
Riga Central Station
Latvia’s main rail hub, with connections across the country and to some international destinations.
International connections: Limited, with services to neighboring countries like Lithuania and Estonia.
Ride-hailing services
- Bolt
- Local taxi services
Public transportation
Buses
Latvia has an extensive network of buses connecting Riga with towns and cities across the country. In Riga, Rīgas Satiksme operates city buses.
Trains
Operated by Vivi, the rail network connects Riga to other key cities and regions.
Trams and trolleybuses
In Riga and Daugavpils, trams and trolleybuses are popular options for local travel.