Payroll and HR in Latvia
The International HR & Payroll Company
That Speaks Your Language
IRIS FMP will simplify payroll and HR in Latvia. As a recognized, and trusted global payroll and HR specialist, we operate 88 in-country teams to support your overseas employees and ensure they are taken care of.
Navigating the complexities of global payroll and HR in Latvia is not always easy without a specialist to guide you. As compliance is always a priority for businesses, we can help you during a global expansion with any HR or payroll inquires. With the differing laws, cultures and regulations, it can feel overwhelming to stay ahead of the intricacies of it all. Fortunately, our expert teams can support you. We offer:
Looking for Payroll and HR Services?
Latvia Payroll
We take away the complications of global payroll and manage everything for your business, including benefits, pay, and more. Through our payroll support, your growing workforce will be paid accurately, on-time, every time.
Latvia HR
Trust in our HR services and we’ll support your global employees with legislation and compliance in Latvia.
Latvia Employment Law Compliance
We will help you to seamlessly and compliantly onboard your organization’s talent, whether new or expats. As an in-country specialist in Latvia, we can help with contracts, policies, handbooks and more.
Global Payments Services
We are able to provide compliant, global payment services for all kinds of businesses. We make your cross-border transfers not only practical but cost-effective.
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Location Data
- Name
Latvia- Region
- Europe (Northern Europe)
- Population
- 1901548
- Calling Code
- 371
- Capital
- Riga
- Timezone(s)
- UTC+02:00
- Timezone in Capital
- (europe/riga) 2:06 PM
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
$1 = €0.95 - Main Language
- Latvian(latviešu valoda)
- Other Business Languages
- Latvian, Russian
- Tax Year Start
- 1st January
- Tax Year Start
- 31st December
Details correct at time of publication. You should not rely on these details without first seeking professional international advice.
A trusted advisor for global expansion
We support businesses in 135 countries worldwide to reach their expansion goals.
Bordered by Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania, Latvia is in an excellent position in northern Europe. The country boasts more than 300 miles of Baltic Sea coastline, the majority of which is sandy. This has led to Latvia’s growing popularity as a tourist destination, especially among those from neighbouring countries. In addition to tourism, much of Latvia’s income derives from its prime exports, which include sawn wood, broadcasting equipment, liquor, and wheat.
Riga International Airport is just over eight miles from the centre of the capital, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. From the airport, there are flights to 82 destinations in over 30 countries in Europe and the Middle East. Within Latvia, public transport comes in the form of regular trams and buses, which are most prominent in the large cities. There is also a considerable rail network across the country.
Those considering expanding their business into Latvia must not only be acquainted with local industry, transport, and social considerations, but they must also be aware of Latvia’s employment law. This can be a difficult realm to navigate, however, the experts at IRIS FMP have experience in a wide range of international HR and payroll legislation. Learn more about what to expect when employing individuals in Latvia.
Employer Must-Dos
Employers must submit the following in Latvia:
- All items subject to CIT must be reported monthly or annually, depending on their nature.
- When income has been distributed, and there is a tax base, a return should be filed each month, on or before the 20th day of the following tax period.
- All taxpayers must file a tax return for the last month of the financial year
Payroll in Latvia
What tax considerations are there?
Personal Income Tax (PIT)
The Latvian government adopted a progressive tax scheme in 2018. Those who earn €20,004 or less are subjected to 20% tax, those earning between €20,005 and €62,800 must pay 23%, and anyone earning more than €62,800 are subjected to 31.4% tax. These rates apply to all residents of Latvia, that is; those who have declared Latvia as their country of residence, those living in Latvia for a period of 183 days or more in one year, and Latvian citizens who are employed abroad by an employer that is registered in the Republic of Latvia.
Social security contributions are payable by both the employee and the employer. The rate for the employee is either 11% or 9.56% if they are eligible for retirement, and for the employer, it is 24.09% or 21.31% if the employee is eligible for retirement.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
As of 2018, a company’s income is not considered taxable until it is distributed, that is; kept by the company. At this stage the income is subjected to a CIT of 20%, however, there are some additional expenses which are also subjected to tax at a rate of 25%. These include dividends, loans issued to related parties, interest payments and bad debts to be written off.
These CIT rates apply to both Latvian-resident companies and foreign companies that have a permanent establishment in Latvia.
HR in Latvia
What are the regular working hours in Latvia?
Normal working hours in Latvia are 40 hours per week across five days, working out to eight hour days. Business hours are usually between 8.30am and 5pm, however many employees work late into the evening – including on weekends. Office hours can vary, and Fridays are generally shorter – ending at 4pm or earlier.
Shops in the bigger cities are usually open between 10am and 7pm, and banks are usually open 10am-2pm and 3pm-5pm. Banks are closed on weekends.
Vacation, maternity and sickness
Employees in Latvia are entitled to four weeks of paid annual leave, plus there are 13 public holidays on which employees are not expected to work in ordinary circumstances.
In Latvia, expectant mothers are entitled to a minimum of 56 and maximum of 70 days of paid leave prior to the birth of their child, and an additional 56-70 days of paid leave after the birth. The amount payable is 80% of the average insurance contribution wage. In addition to maternity leave, mothers in Latvia can share another 18 months of partially paid, parental leave.
Employers must pay their employees for up to ten days of sick leave. This is in the amount of 75% of their salary for days two and three, and 80% of their salary for days four to ten. From the 11th day, the employee must provide a medical certificate in order to apply for social support in the form of sick pay, which will be in the amount of 80% of their salary from day 11 and up to 26 weeks.
Termination
Employment can be terminated by either party in Latvia, as long as appropriate notice is given. This is between ten and 30 days. Employers can terminate an employee’s contract with immediate effect if there has been unlawful activity. Employees should be paid a severance pay according to their length of service; this will be between one and four month’s salary.
Learn more about global HR and payroll law
To discover more about employment legislation in countries across the world, download our comprehensive guide. We include details regarding everything from international tax laws to global maternity leave schemes.
IRIS FMP’s Latvian Payroll and HR Solutions
Business-owners seeking to expand into Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, or another of Latvia’s main cities must know how to achieve full compliance with Latvian employment law. Getting to grips with this legislation can be a complex undertaking, which might cause additional stress at a pivotal time for your company. To avoid problems, speak to the experts at IRIS FMP, who have ample experience in international HR and payroll law. Our services include, but are not limited to:
- Employment contracts
- HR consultancy
- Payroll processing
- Processing tax and social security deductions
- Managing payslips
- Tax reporting
- Benefits administration
- Pension administration
- Accounting services
- Translation services
- Year End Tax Reconciliation
- Multiple currency payroll
Ensure compliance with Latvian employment law with guidance from IRIS FMP
Avoid unnecessary stress during your business expansion into Latvia, by letting the experts at IRIS FMP help you navigate all the local law pertaining to HR and payroll. Contact us today for further information.