Work in Latvia

Employment in Latvia

Third-country citizens need to obtain a work permit in Latvia. To obtain a work permit, you need to have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Latvia. Despite the fact that Latvia is part of Europe and the European Union, when obtaining a work permit in Latvia, a person can work only on the territory of Latvia, but not in any other countries of the European Union. The work permit is issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, accordingly the term of validity of visa. You must receive an invitation approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Useful information – http://workinlatvia.liaa.gov.lv/1.php

Work permit

If during the period specified in the work permit the conditions that served as the basis for issuing the above work permit change (for example, your employer, profession, position, work time, place of work), you must obtain a new work permit. You can be hired only for that specialty or for the position indicated in your work permit. If you were hired on the basis of a work permit and became unemployed, your temporary residence permit and work permit in Latvia get cancelled. In this case, you need to leave Latvia, since you cannot be unemployed and remain in the country.

Work permit allows to work for any employer only to:

• Those who have received a temporary residence permit through marriage with a citizen (non-citizen), a person with permanent residence in Latvia.
• Investors (their spouse) invested in subordinated capital or through the purchase of real estate.
• Students also automatically receive work permit, provided that they work up to 20 hours a week.

Employment contract

Generally, work is performed on the basis of an employment contract. Employment contracts provide protection and a wider range of rights to employees. It is always recommended to conclude an employment contract in writing in two copies. The contract can be amended with the mutual consent of both parties. The trial period usually lasts three months. Normally, an employment contract is concluded for an indefinite period of time. To conclude a fixed-term employment contract, an employer must be able to justify the temporary nature of work (for example, a short-term increase in workload or seasonal work).

Employment agreement

• As a rule, the parties agree on the amount of remuneration. Nevertheless, the salary cannot be less than the minimum wage in Latvia (430 EUR in 2019);
• The salary is paid at least once a month by transfer to the bank account of the employee. The salary is paid in the net amount, and the employer is obliged to calculate and withhold all taxes;
• The number of working hours when working full time is 40 hours per week, i.e. 8 hours a day. The employer and employee may agree on fewer working hours, i.e. about working part time. Special requirements apply for overtime work, work at night and on holidays;
• The employee is entitled to at least 28 calendar days of vacation during the calendar year;

Job search

The main vacancies in Latvia, as a rule, are always published on the portals of the State Employment Agency: https://cvvp.nva.gov.lv/#/pub/

Also, there are such  job portals in Latvia as

• www.cv.lv
• www.visidarbi.lv

Additionally, you can contact the HR-agency, for example  www.itcamp.lv , if you are looking for a job in the IT sphere.