Work

Steps

1. Look for vacancies. The NVA publishes vacancies and accepts CVs on its portal (CV un vakanču portāls, in Latvian); its EURES advisers advise you free of charge. EURES also cites private sites (cv.lv, prakse.lv, visidarbi.lv, workingday.lv, cvmarket.lv). A private recruitment agency must be approved by the NVA.
2. Prepare your application: CV, letter, translated diplomas. For a regulated profession, first have your qualification recognised (see LV-TRAVAIL-TOUS-002).
3. Sign your contract (darba līgums) in writing, in two copies, before you start (Section 40). It states in particular the place of work, the position, the salary, the working hours, the leave, the notice period and the probationary period.
4. Check the duration. The contract is in principle open-ended; a fixed-term contract is permitted only in the cases provided for by law, 5 years at most including extensions, 10 months per year for seasonal work; if it continues without objection after its end date, it becomes open-ended (Section 45).
5. Obtain your personal identity number and declare your place of residence: your employer needs it to register you (see LV-NIF-TOUS-001 and LV-SEJOUR-TOUS-001).
6. Check your first payslip: salary is paid at least twice a month, unless agreed otherwise for monthly payment (Section 69).

Documents

• Passport or identity card, Latvian personal identity number.
• Written employment contract (if it is in Latvian and you cannot read it, ask for a translation before signing).
• Diplomas and, for a regulated profession, the recognition decision.
• Bank details (see LV-BANQUE-TOUS-001).

Costs and timelines

• 2026 minimum wage: €780 gross per month for 40 hours per week (EURES; Cabinet of Ministers regulation, amount set by the government under Section 61). The 2027 amount has not yet been decided: the Cabinet of Ministers sets it after review by the Tripartite Council (the 2026 one was set on 19/11/2025); the government's criteria target €820 for 2027 (announced, not yet adopted).
• What is deducted from your salary (2026): 10.5% social contributions; the employer also pays 23.59%. Income tax of 25.5% (33% above €105,300 per year), after an allowance of €550 per month (see LV-IMPOTS-TOUS-001).
• Probationary period (Sections 46 and 47): 3 months at most (6 months if a collective agreement provides for it); 1 month at most for a fixed-term contract of 6 months at most, 2 months for a fixed-term contract of one year at most; none for people under 18. During the probationary period, either party can terminate in writing with 3 days' notice, without giving a reason.
• Working time (Section 131): 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week at most (7 h and 35 h for hazardous work). EURES: weekly rest of at least 42 consecutive hours, break of at least 30 minutes after more than 6 hours of work, night work (22:00 to 6:00) paid at a premium of at least 50%.
• Overtime (Section 136): with your written consent (except in an emergency), 8 hours on average per week at most over 4 months; premium of at least 100% according to EURES.
• Paid leave (Section 149): at least 4 calendar weeks per year, public holidays not included, of which one part of at least 2 consecutive weeks; no replacement by money, except at the end of the contract. First leave after 6 months of work (EURES).
• Resignation (Section 100): written notice of one month, unless a shorter period is set in the contract or the collective agreement; without notice for a serious reason.
• Dismissal (Sections 101 and 103): only for a reason provided for by law; notice of 10 days to 1 month depending on the reason (immediate for certain misconduct). Severance pay for the grounds in points 6 to 11 of Section 101 (in particular job elimination or liquidation of the employer; exact list to be checked) (Section 112): 1 month of average salary with less than 5 years of service, 2 months from 5 to 10 years, 3 months from 10 to 20 years, 4 months beyond.
• Family leave (EURES): maternity leave of 56 days before the birth (70 if the expectant mother registered for medical monitoring before the 12th week of pregnancy), then childbirth leave of 56 days (70 in case of health problems during pregnancy, the birth or its aftermath, or of a multiple birth); paternity leave of 10 calendar days, to be taken from the birth and at the latest 6 months after; parental leave (childcare leave) of 18 months, to be requested until the child is 8.

Common pitfalls

• Starting without a signed contract. The law requires a written contract before the first day: without it, you have neither proof of your salary nor protection in case of dispute.
• An "under-the-table" salary or partly in cash. Your contributions fund your pension, unemployment and health insurance: an undeclared salary deprives you of these rights.
• Underestimating the language. EURES says it clearly: Latvian is essential for most jobs; English, German, the Scandinavian languages or Russian are additional assets. If you are registered as unemployed, you can ask the NVA for a place in a Latvian course; you can also contact your municipality.
• Successive fixed-term contracts. Beyond 5 years including extensions, or if it continues after its end date without objection, it becomes an open-ended contract.
• Confusing the probationary period and notice. During the probationary period, 3 days are enough; afterwards, you need one month to resign.
• A dispute? The State Labour Inspectorate (Valsts darba inspekcija, VDI) monitors compliance with labour law (EURES).

What changes by country of origin

• EU and EEA citizens and Swiss citizens: no work permit; you work on the same terms as Latvians, with a registration certificate beyond 3 months (LV-SEJOUR-TOUS-001).
• British citizens (Scots included): since Brexit, a residence or work permit is generally required, except for rights acquired under the Withdrawal Agreement (see LV-SEJOUR-TOUS-001). If you arrived after 30/12/2020, you cannot start work before having a visa or a residence permit that gives the right to work; if you were already in Latvia, you had to apply for a new permit from the immigration office (PMLP) before 30/06/2021 (PMLP).
• Everyone: the rules on the contract, the minimum wage and leave are the same for all employees in Latvia.