Latvia
Latvija
Learn how to participate in national and European Parliament elections while studying abroad as a citizen from Latvia. Check out the table below for document requirements, registration procedures, and useful links.
- Voting is not mandatory
- Minimum age required to vote: 18
- For more information, check out the official webpage
How can I vote from abroad?
Vote
by proxy
This voting mode is not available.
Vote
electronically
This voting mode is not available.
Vote
by post
This voting mode is available.
- Upfront registration required
- Required documents:
The application form must be submitted by mail or in person at the Latvian represenation abroad, and the signature of the voter must be on the application. The information requested is first name, last name, personal identity number, e-mail address or official e-mail address. Following the approval, voter recieves the ballot paper online, which has to be printed out and completed. When mailing the ballot paper, designated envelope has to contain the voter's handwritten confirmation of voting in person. The sealed envelope containing ballot paper must be sent by mail to the polling station commission indicated in the voting materials.
More info at this link.
- Digital request allowed
Vote
from the embassy
This voting mode is available.
- Upfront registration required
- Required documents:
If the voter has registered residence abroad, it is automatically included in the common list of voters abroad. If the voter is abroad without registered residence oustide Latvia, it has to submit an electronic request for the change of the polling station or in-person request in one of Latvia's diplomatic or consular missions abroad; on the election day, the voter must present a proof of identity (valid ID card or a passport).
More info at this link.
- Digital request allowed
European Parliament elections
Latvian citizens staying in foreing countries may participate in the elections by voting by post or in person at designated polling stations. Prior registration for voters that have chosen to vote in person at polling stations abroad is not needed, but for those voters that want to vote by post must make an electronic application between the 35th and 8th day before election day. The postal ballot must be received by the polling station commission before the counting of the votes starts.
- No upfront registration required
- Registration deadline:
- Minimum age required to vote in the EU elections: 18
- Check out the official webpage
Cost of living
| Price | |
|---|---|
| a room in a 3 bedrooms shared flat in the city centre | 194€/month |
| a meal | 7.25€ |
| a cappuccino | 2.33€ |
These are average costs of living for Latvia. Costs can differ accross cities and locations. For more details, you can check numbeo website.
Inclusion
| Rank | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Index | 41 | 17.48 |
Source:
Rainbow Europe, 2021.
Check out Latvia profile on InclusiveMobility.eu
Rainbow Europe
Rainbow Europe by ILGA-Europe illustrates the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in Europe. It ranks all 49 European countries on a scale between 0% (gross violations of human rights, discrimination) and 100% (respect of human rights, full equality), on the basis of laws and policies that have a direct impact on the LGBTI people’s human rights in under 6 categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; hate crime and hate speech; legal gender recognition and bodily integrity; civil society space; and asylum.
Discover InclusiveMobility.eu
The InclusiveMobility.eu is the European platform about inclusion and support services offered by higher education institutions, national agencies, and ministries for education to international students. In its current version, the platform aims to provide to students with disabilities all the information they need to study abroad.
Quality of life
| Rank | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Human Development Index | 37 | 0.866 |
| World Press Freedom Index | 22 | 19.26 |
Human Development Index
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. A country scores a higher HDI when the lifespan is higher, the education level is higher, and the gross national income GNI (PPP) per capita is higher.
World Press Freedom Index
The World Press Freedom Index is an important advocacy tool based on the principle of emulation between states, published every year by Reporters Without Borders. It is a snapshot of the media freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists in each country.
ESN sections supporting international students
- ESN Jelgava
- ESN Riga
- ESN Valmiera
Higher education institutions
Mobility opportunities
This information is not available at the moment.
