Nigel C. Luther
@solentlife
English expat in Latvia
Forum posts
28
Contacts
5
About me
English
Lives in Ventspils
Registration: 29 July 2010
Latvian name and English name differences and UK Visa complications by drilu682
Hi All, I have recently gained Dual Latvian Citizenship and my Latvian name is very different to my English name which I have had forever. I am wanting to get a Latvian Passport in wake of Brexit etc however am unsure whether to use the Latvian ...
Latvianisation of names is rife and occurs automatically.When I married here - my English Surname - which goes back hundreds of years was Latvianised on the Marriage Certificate.The Dept offered to state both English and Latvian versions on it - but ... Read More
Part time jobs at latvia by meera20
Hi, Im a mba aspirant from india planning to study at riga will i able to get good part time jobs at riga if so what will be the wages.Please guide me on the same. Also do i need to learn any other language to survive in latvia other than english
Its an old question .. but worth considering the latest developments in Latvia.The world is suffering huge rise in energy costs ... impacting manufacturers, transportation and domestic life. Many countries are actively involved in trying to find ... Read More
Driving license in Latvia by Armand
Hi all, Can a foreigner take the driving test in Latvia? What are the formalities to get a driver聮s licence in Latvia? Do you need special or extra documents being an expatriate? How much does it cost? Thank you for participating ...
@Naesby Actually you lose any of the 'UK National Classes' on your UK LIcence ....International Classes are in straight bold lettering. These transfer automatically to Latvian Licence without test.UK National only Classes are in ITALIC non-bold ... Read More
Driving license in Latvia by Armand
Hi all, Can a foreigner take the driving test in Latvia? What are the formalities to get a driver聮s licence in Latvia? Do you need special or extra documents being an expatriate? How much does it cost? Thank you for participating ...
I know this is months later, but here goes.I am a Brit with Latvian Permanent Residency, but still UK Full Passport. When my Mother passed away and then I sold my Summer 'home' in UK - I was no longer able to renew my UK licence. In Latvia all ... Read More
Where to learn Latvian language online?
Just a comment ... there is a company by name of MERIDIEN in Latvia that 'teaches' English / Latvian. If the branch I have knowledge of is typical of their standards then I suggest look elsewhere. Nigel Read More
Exchanging for Latvia Driver's License by budanatr
I have a French driver's license that is good for life. I am now living in Latvia. Can I continue to use my French license or do I need to exchange if for a Latvian license? If I need to exchange it will have have to go through classes and all the ...
Latvian Licence is available as exchange for all recognised national licences but not for Tractors and such. You can get standard car licence over counter in exchange. Beware that your original licence will be held and sent back to other countries ... Read More
Englishman Moving to Latvia by GuestPoster233
Hi, I am moving to Latvia , liepaja possibly next year with my girlfriend. I am currently a Health club assistant manager with gym instructor qualification and also will have a personal training qualification among others including leisure ...
I have been renovating my house for over 13years and builders come and go. I have had 3 different gangs working on it - each one splits up and off they go to Sweden / UK / Ireland etc. I get left to find a new gang. I am lucky that I am reasonably ... Read More
Englishman Moving to Latvia by GuestPoster233
Hi, I am moving to Latvia , liepaja possibly next year with my girlfriend. I am currently a Health club assistant manager with gym instructor qualification and also will have a personal training qualification among others including leisure ...
Latvia is near bankrupt but prices are rising steadily and steeply. Gasoline is now near UK price .... Salaries are no better now than 10 years ago but costs are double. House and land prices soared after joining EU ... most more than doubling ... Read More
Do you speak Latvian? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Latvian is essential for a successful integration in Latvia. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Latvian? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
The only time Latvian is necessary is with their draconian Authority rules. Latvian Govt has issued decree to all departments to not accept Foreign statements or documents. Contrary to EU law - Latvian Govt requires YOU to translate everything at ... Read More
Thinking about getting citizenship or permanent residency by jbwncster
I am currently a citizen of USA. My grandfather was born in Latvia and we have his passport from 1929. I just need to get it verified. I am currently working on a 2 year degree in Library and Information Technology. I am wondering what the job ...
Latvia is in decline - seriously. Forget the hype and propaganda in the media. Latvia has lost a large % of its main workforce to work outside latvia for better salary and less punishing tax regime. Over significant period Latvia has been staving of ... Read More
Do you speak Latvian? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Latvian is essential for a successful integration in Latvia. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Latvian? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
I only speak odd words such as Paldies ... Ludzu ... other than that it is unnecessary. Major business in Latvia still has Russian as its core and English is becoming more widely spoken. To be honest Latvia's business world is contracting fast ... Read More
Do you want to go sailing in Latvia / Baltic by solentlife
Every year I try to have up to 10 days sailing from Ventspils across to Gotland then to Swedish Islands .. or Saaremaa and onto islands in Riga Bay. I'm offering to 1 or 2 people opportunity to enjoy up to 10 days (I plan over first two weeks of ...
The initial idea was to continue previous years schedule of around the first 2 weeks of August ... but due to other commitments in 2014 ... I am bring it forward to last 2 weeks of June. This will mean similar weather patterns and hopefully bright ... Read More
Top hiring sectors in Latvia by Julien
Hi, let聮s talk about job opportunities in Latvia. What are the top hiring sectors? And according to you, what are the most promising job sectors, which will keep creating jobs in Latvia? Thanks in advance for sharing your ...
To be honest as an Expat that has companies in Latvia and has worked as Director for International Corporations around the Baltic states .. and North Russia. Until Latvia get's it's Govt's head out of it's EU backside .. Latvia will never be a job ... Read More
Do you want to go sailing in Latvia / Baltic
Every year I try to have up to 10 days sailing from Ventspils across to Gotland then to Swedish Islands .. or Saaremaa and onto islands in Riga Bay. I'm offering to 1 or 2 people opportunity to enjoy up to 10 days (I plan over first two weeks of ... Read More
Change of surname on passport by fred83
Hi Guys, What follows is something really specific to this case. I do need your expertise here. :) My girlfriend and I are getting married in one month and a half and she will be taking my surname: Gatti. By Latvian laws this cannot be written ...
My Family name is LUTHER ... I married here ... Latvian law decreed that her name would be LUTERE. The Marriage Certificate is even worse ... it should have read Svetlana Lutere (Luther) but was printed up as : Svetlana Lutere Lutere I objected ... Read More
Is this salary enough to live in Riga? by Oni_zeta
Hi there I received a job proposal from an European Agency in Riga. The job seems interesting but I don't know if the salary will be enough to live there and pay my monthly flights (a couple of flights a month to and from Rome). My salary should ...
The problem in Latvia is the continued decline and recession ... forget the Govt and EU spout about it over and Latvia on it's way up again. I have 3 businesses failed over last years ... with last just about hanging on ... why ? Nationalist who ... Read More
Buying property in Latvia by Christine
Hi, can a foreigner buy property in Latvia? If so, is it complicated? What is the process of purchasing a property in Latvia? Any tips for buying property, such as a check-list of items to verify ? Thanks in advance for ...
Yes certainly. I am a Brit Expat living in Ventspils on the West Coast and I own a large property with no unusual conditions or problems in purchase. It is a good idea to find a good local person you can trust to help you through the process. It's ... Read More
moving to Latvia in April
This is a good web-site to look at .. wunderground.com/ You can input any Town etc. and search for general weather. April ... you can still have that last call of winter ... but then it quickly turns to spring with reasonable day temps about 5 - ... Read More
Advice needed from residing expats ! by Guest8998
Hello, Does anyone know if there is a company/bakery/enthusiasts (quality, though) in Riga or other city who can make a traditional English wedding cake (as in fruit cake/christmas cake...)? I am beginning to despair, as the ones I've asked, have ...
Whats wrong with Riga ? I have my laboratorys in Riga and clients - they are only reason I go there to be honest, and airport of course. Having lived in Ventspils so long ... I prefer the good roads, clean town .... near zero crime .... my house ... Read More
Do and don't in Latvia by expat.com
Are you living in Latvia? We need you to share your experience of the local customs :) Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Latvia? Could you please share with us a list of the [b] do's and don't's in Latvia?[/b] Thanks!
Do : Get out of Riga and see proper Latvia and not the cardboard mock-up that Riga has become. Don't : Spend all your time in Riga ... there are far better things to do and see ... I've been here since just after the Independence ... living and ... Read More
Advice needed from residing expats ! by Guest8998
Hello, Does anyone know if there is a company/bakery/enthusiasts (quality, though) in Riga or other city who can make a traditional English wedding cake (as in fruit cake/christmas cake...)? I am beginning to despair, as the ones I've asked, have ...
You will be very lucky to get anywhere near a Wedding cake ... took me ages to teach Wife's mother to make a traditional English Fruit Cake ... well nearly ! You can't get the mized spice etc. that's needed. I have 2 Dessert and Cake recipe books ... Read More