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Coronavirus

YouThis shouldinformation followis theprovided adviceas ofa theguide Latvianonly. Government. You canshould alsoget readdefinitive ourinformation Latviafrom travelthe adviceLatvian forauthorities. ourThe latestForeign, guidance.

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Read ourgeneral coronavirusguidance travelon advicemoving or retiring abroad.

Stay

To stay up to date

You should:date:

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy Riga on Facebook and Twitter

The Withdrawal Agreement

If you were legallyliving resident in Latvia before 1 January 2021,2021

Some yourparts rightsof willthis beguide protectedonly by the Withdrawal Agreement. You must apply forif ayou newhave residencebeen statusliving byin 30Latvia Junesince 2021before to1 secureJanuary your2021. rights.

You should also read ourthese guidance on living in Europe.

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ToFollow apply, fill in the ‘sampleadvice application’of form on the Latvian Government’sGovernment. OfficeYou ofshould Citizenshipalso andread Migrationthe AffairsLatvia (OCMA)travel ‘Information on Brexit’ websiteadvice.

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IfCheck youthe haveentry notrequirements previously registered and have been living in Latvia for more than 90 days, you must register with the OCMA for a residence permitLatvia.

Once you are resident in Latvia you must also declare your place of residence. You can do this:

• at your local municipality (in Latvian)
• at the OCMAOffice of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)
• online through the Public Administration Services Portal (in Latvian)

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Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Latvia and make sure you are correctly registered.registered for your circumstances.

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• finding an English-speaking doctor in Latvia
• checking your prescriptions are legal in Latvia

Working in Latvia

If you were legallyliving resident in Latvia before 1 January 2021,2021

You you have the right to work,work asunder longthe asWithdrawal Agreement if you remainhave legallya resident.

Readuzturēšanās ouratļauja guidanceresidence ondocument workingor inhave anapplied EUfor country.one.

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Read our guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in Latvia

Moving to Latvia to study

If you arewere planningalready toliving study in Latvia,Latvia makebefore sure1 youJanuary meet2021

The allstudying visain requirements before you arrive. Contact the relevantEuropean HigherUnion Educationguidance providerincludes ininformation Latviaif to check what fees you maywere havealready toliving pay.

Forin moreLatvia informationbefore read1 studyingJanuary in the European Union.2021.

Money and taxTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Latvia toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

ExistingYou doubleshould taxationget arrangementsprofessional foradvice UKon nationalspaying livingtax in LatviaLatvia. haveFind notan changed.English-speaking lawyer in Latvia.

ReadYou can also seek professional advice at the Latvian Association of Accountants.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad

• tax on your UK income if you live abroad

• tax if you get a pension and live abroad

• paying income tax in Latvia by the EU

• EU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websites

National Insurance and social security contributions

WeNational recommendInsurance-type youcontributions get(NIC) professionalare advicecalled on‘social payingsecurity taxcontributions’ (SSC) in Latvia. Find anout English-speakingif lawyeryou need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Latvia.

YouIf canyou alsoplan seekto professionalmove adviceto atLatvia and work, even if you continue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Latvia. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Latvia.

Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the LatvianUK Associationworking ofin Accountantsthe EEA or Switzerland.

You can also check your UK National Insurance

record.

FindRead outguidance ifon:

• national youinsurance needfor toworkers payfrom Nationalthe InsuranceUK working in the UKEEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions infor Latvia.
  workers coming to the UK from the EEA or Switzerland

Benefits

BankingUK benefits

WhetherRead guidance on entitlement to UK banksbenefits canand providepensions serviceswhile toyou customersare living in theLatvia.

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Many financeincome-related providerbenefits shouldsuch contactas youPension ifCredit theyand needHousing toBenefit makecannot anybe changespaid to youryou productif oryou’re theabroad wayfor theymore providethan it.4 Ifweeks.

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ReadTo theget Moneybenefits andyou Pensionmust Servicehave guidancea onresidence banking,document insurance and financialbe servicesliving changesin Latvia for moreemployment informationor onfamily cross-borderreasons.

The banking.State Social Insurance Agency has more information.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Latvia.

YouRead willState needPension toguidance tellif theyou UKhave governmentlived officesin thatAustralia, dealCanada withor yourNew benefits,Zealand pension and tax if you are movingclaiming or retiringwaiting abroad.to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire to Latvia, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre tofor claim

  further information

• your Latvian pension, if you have worked in Latvia

• pensions from working abroad, if youyou’ve have worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a life‘life certificatecertificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read ourthe Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on entitlementbanking, toinsurance UKand benefitsfinancial services for more information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and pensionsbuying property

See buying a property abroad.

Driving whilein youLatvia

You arecannot livingrenew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Latvia. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Latvia:

You

• what willyou need to telldrive in the UKEU
• driving governmentlicence officesrules thatin dealLatvia withif you live there
• road travel in Latvia

Exchanging your benefits,UK, pensionGibraltar, andJersey, taxGuernsey ifor Isle of Man licence

If you arelive movingin orLatvia retiringyou abroad.can use your non-Latvian driving licence for up to 12 months.

CheckIf whichyou UKhave benefitslived in Latvia for more than 12 months, you canmust claimexchange whileyour abroadlicence for a Latvian one. To exchange, you must submit your Latvian ID card (which has your Latvian personal code) and howa medical certificate. You can get the medical certificate from a GP or medical institution providing driving medical certificates.

Your Latvian driving licence will show the same vehicle categories listed in your UK, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man licence. Alternatively, it will show the equivalent Latvian categories.

You do not need to claimtake them.a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

Disabled drivers

ManyIf income-relatedyou benefitshave sucha asUK PensionBlue CreditBadge and Housinglive Benefitin cannotLatvia, beyou paidmust return it to youthe iforiginal you’reUK abroadissuing authority. You can apply for morea thannew 4Latvian weeks.disabled parking card.

YouRead canthe requestEU proofguidance ofon the timeEU you’veparking workedcard infor people with disabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Latvia

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If fromyou HMRClive ifin Latvia, you aremust askedregister your car and change it so that it is suitable for left-hand driving. You have 6 months from the date you register your residency to do this. The Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate has more information.

Driving outside Latvia with a Latvian benefitslicence

You maycan beuse eligibleyour toLatvian claimlicence somewhen Latvianvisiting socialthe securityUK. benefitsKeep up-to- date with the UK Highway Code.

If ifyou go to live in the UK, you havecan madeexchange enoughyour socialLatvian securitylicence contributionsfor ina Latvia.UK one without taking a test.

To getdrive benefitsin youanother mustcountry, havein aaddition residenceto documentyour andLatvian belicence livingyou inmay Latvianeed forto employmentapply orfor familyan reasons.IDP.

TheRead Statethe SocialEU Securityguidance Agencyon:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving haslicence moreexchange information.
  and recognition in the EU

Voting

You cannot vote in local municipalmunicipal, electionsnational in Latvia or European Parliament elections.elections in Latvia.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote

• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deathsdeaths, marriage and gettingcivil marriedpartnerships

If your child is born in Latvia, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register athe birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Latvia you can:

• read our guidance on on:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad

  • findbereavement ain listLatvia

  • finding of English-speaking funeral directors in Latvia

  Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  You may also need:

  • English-speaking lawyers

  • translators in Latvia

  • notarial and documentary services for Latvia

  Accommodation and buying property

  See buying a property abroad.

  Pets

  If youyou’re havemoving ato petLatvia passportwith issuedyour bypet, Latviaread orthe anotherguidance EUand memberensure state, you cancomply usewith itthe toregulations:

  • taking travel with your pet abroad
  • moving to GreatEU Britaincountries andwith elsewhereyour in the EU.
    pet

  ATo GB-issuedvisit EUother petcountries passportwith isyour notpet, validcheck forthe travelrules tofor the EUcountry oryou’re Northerntravelling Ireland.to. YouContact should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents andyour ensurepet you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.needs.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to GB
  • travelling. withCheck that your petpet’s inrabies thevaccinations EU
  • travellingare up to Northerndate. IrelandVets within yourGreat pet

  CheckBritain thecannot rulesenter ofrabies thevaccination countrydetails you’rein non-UK issued pet passports

• travelling to forIreland anywith additionalyour restrictionspet
• travelling orwith requirementsyour beforepet youin travel.
  the EU

Emergencies

Dial the European emergency number on 112 orin Latvia alsofor has:the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

• 110 –for the police

• 113 –for first aid

• 114 for a gas emergency
• 112 for the fire brigade

‘My safety’ emergency app, which provides the caller’s location, is available in Latvia to contact the emergency services. Users with disabilities can access the emergency services by SMS to 112 or through the ‘My safety’ emergency app.

Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; Latvian Ministry of Justice guidance on child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad, contact the British Embassy Riga.

Returning to the UK

Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

Tell the Latvian and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

IfRead youthe returnguidance on returning to the UK checkpermanently ifwhich yourincludes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax statusand willaccess change.to services.

If

Useful youinformation

• help getand healthcareservices in Latvia
• notarial throughand documentary services for Latvia

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the S1FCDO form,can support you mustif contactyou get into difficulty.