Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »
Latvia is a country of 1.8 million people on the Baltic Sea with an employment rate above the EU average: 78.2% of people aged 20–64 have a job (EU: 76.1%).
Unemployment has stayed at about the same level for years – 6.9% in 2022, 6.5% in 2023 and 6.9% in 2024 and 2025. That is above the EU average of 6.0%. Youth unemployment is slightly lower than in the EU as a whole: 14.8% among people aged 15–24, compared with 15.2%.
As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you do not need a work permit – you have free access to the Latvian labour market. What you do need for most jobs is Latvian: it is the only official state language, and EURES advises that adequate knowledge of Latvian is necessary when you apply for a job.
Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.
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