Latvian citizens have a right of residence in the UK if they are working in the UK or do not work in the UK but have enough money to support themselves without help of public funds.

Latvian citizens have the same rights to work in the UK as all EU citizens from 1 May 2004.

If citizens of Latvia would like to work in the UK they have to register by Worker Registration Scheme as soon as they find work but no later than within 30 days from a conclusion of labour agreement.

Information how to register by the Worker Registration Scheme you can find here.

Citizens of Latvia have the right to work in the UK legally and this means that they will be expected to pay taxes and National Insurance. Paying National Insurance means that Latvian citizens will be able to qualify for contributory benefits or protect their rights for pension.

However, having the right to work in the UK does not necessary qualify for UK social benefits. If you want to find more information about social benefits please contact Department for Work and Pensions.

There are complex rules governing entitlement to social benefits in the UK. Latvian citizens will be eligible for benefits if they meet the conditions for entitlement. Please contact Home Office to find out more information about benefits.

For help finding work, contact Job Centre Plus. This is a part of the Department for Work and Pensions. For information on National Insurance and tax contributions, please contact the Inland Revenue. (Specific information on National Insurance number you can find here).

Citizens of Latvia as citizens of European Union can apply for a place at a maintained school for the child in the UK. For further details contact Department for Education and Skills.

After joining the European Union all non-citizens (aliens) of Latvia have to have a visa to enter the UK and work permits if they intend to work in the UK. More information on that you could find at the British Embassy in Riga or at the Home Office of the United Kingdom.

If any information remained unclear, this is the option to ask your question by filling out the form below