The joint Soviet past today closely links only those people who live in the CIS countries. The situation is different in the Latvian state, which, like all the former Baltic republics of the USSR, is one of the members of the European Union. Moreover, every year there are ever fewer signs indicating the Soviet past of these territories. Latvia more and more begins not only to look European, but also to live according to Western priorities.
And how do our former compatriots feel? The Russians in Latvia have found themselves in new conditions, and those who wish to immigrate to this country must first find out how comfortable living in Russia is for them.
Visa application
How do Russians get to the Baltic coast? To do this, you will need to get a visa. It is the permission to enter and stay in the country. Visa to Latvia is Schengen for Russians. This is due to the fact that in 2004 the country is a member of the European Union. Therefore, for Russians, a visa to Latvia opens the way to the territory of all Schengen participants.
A similar permission for our compatriots is of two types. It can be both short-term (Schengen) and long-term (national). The first of them is denoted by the letter C, and the second by D.
Short-term Schengen visas are issued to applicants who intend to make a short trip to EU countries to visit relatives, for treatment, tourism and other private visits that are not related to commercial activities. Such permissions, in turn, are of various types based on the following:
- multiplicity of departure - single, double, multiple;
- validity period - from several days to several years;
- from the number of days of stay - up to 3 months for one half year.
Those who plan to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days will need to obtain a national visa. She will allow you to go to this country to study or work.
Pros and cons of the Baltic state
Among our compatriots there are many people who dream of getting a Latvian passport. Nevertheless, when planning your move to this country, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with all the available positive and negative sides of such a decision. Already living in Latvia, Russians distinguish the following from the positive aspects:
- The possibility of free movement in Europe.
- Latvian laws will make it easy to open and conduct your business.
- Relatively low crime rate.
- The ban on the Russian language in Latvia does not apply to domestic relations;
- A measured, calm lifestyle.
- The abundance of resort areas and the proximity of the sea.
- A large number of historical monuments.
But besides this, Russians living in Latvia indicate the existence of some negative factors. Among them are:
- lower wages and standard of living than in other EU countries;
- limiting the number of paid jobs for Russians;
- a high threshold for entering the retirement age and difficulties if it is necessary to recalculate the length of insurance received in Russia.
In addition, a good knowledge of the Latvian language is required. And it is quite difficult for Russian people to study. Our compatriots also have difficulties in developing habits of emotional restraint.
National composition
Since 1990, the population of Latvia has maintained a downward trend in its number. Today, 1.91 million people live in the country.
What is the national composition of the population of Latvia? The largest ethnic group are indigenous people. These are Livs, or Latvians. There are 60.31% of the total population in the country. There are almost half as many Russians in Latvia. Of the total number of residents, they make up 25.69%. Belarusians in the country 3.18%. Another national minority in Latvia is represented by Ukrainians. This is only 2.42%.
Immigrants from Russia, according to 1989 data, accounted for almost 34% of the country's population. However, after Latvia gained independence, the number of our former compatriots began to decline. Some of them returned to the Russian Federation, while others went to Western Europe.
Nevertheless, immigration to Latvia does not stop today. Most of all, people from neighboring countries come to this country - Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. But there is also a tendency to increase the flow of people who arrived in Latvia from Asia and South America.
Tongue
Latvia is a country that very strictly abides by its legal norms. This also applies to the national language. Latvia provides for the need to own it. But due to the fact that a fairly large part of its population is represented by immigrants from Russia, many people speak Russian here. In everyday life, it is used by almost 34% of the population. And in this number there are representatives of the original ethnic strata.
It should be borne in mind that in order to obtain citizenship, exams are held in the country that test the knowledge of the Latvian language. Minimum possession of it (at level 1A) is necessary for applicants for the simplest work, for example, a janitor or a loader. With category 2A you can get a waiter. Starting from level 3A, it is allowed to apply for the simplest office position.
Job
In recent years, a large number of its inhabitants have left Latvia. Western Europe attracted people with large salaries. Especially a lot of highly qualified specialists left the country. So, due to a shortage of doctors and a reduction in funding, even hospitals are sometimes closed in the Baltic state.
A lot of work in Latvia for Russians in construction, in the manufacturing industry, in the field of IT-technologies and in trade. Labor emigration has led to the lack of workers in many regions. Almost a third of the inhabitants of Latvia receive a salary that does not reach 300 euros.
The most attractive city for immigrants is Riga. Almost 2/3 of the inhabitants of Latvia live in it, as well as in its environs. In Riga there is work in various industries, including pharmaceutical, chemical, textile, woodworking and food. However, the main sector of the capital's economy is the provision of a wide variety of services.
Education system for Russians
Where today can children of our former compatriots study in Latvia? The country's education system includes:
- Kindergartens. The country has pre-school institutions in Russian. There are mixed kindergartens. They have both Latvian and Russian groups. In the last kids the national language of the country is taught. This is done in a game form at least 2 times a week. Starting from 5 years, learning the language of Latvia becomes daily.
- Primary School. This level of education includes the education of children from grades 1 to 4. The Russian school holds lessons in the Latvian language. Bilingual education is conducted in all other subjects. What will be the share of the national language depends on the position taken by the school. That is why the training programs in the country in various educational institutions sometimes differ significantly from each other.
- High school. This is the next stage of education, which covers grades 4-9. At the Russian school, children also learn subjects in two languages. There are no strict rules on the proportionality of their application. However, by the 7th grade, the proportion of the Latvian language is significantly increasing.
- High school. Starting from grade 9 and ending in grade 12, 60% of lessons are taught in Latvian, and 40% in Russian.
- Secondary vocational education. Upon admission to a state institution, you will have to study the necessary disciplines only in Latvian. But there are municipal technical schools and schools in the country. In their walls, in the process of learning, Russian or both languages are used. The same applies to commercial secondary vocational and technical institutions.
- Higher education. Private commercial universities in Latvia form the flow of students with their training in Russian. Upon admission to state higher educational institutions, knowledge of Latvia is necessary, in which students are introduced to subjects.
It is worth noting that the education system in the country is undergoing constant changes. The main innovations concern the share of the Latvian language, which is steadily increasing at all stages of education.
In 2017, the authorities decided that, starting in the spring of 2018, conducting centralized exams in 12 classes will be conducted only in the Latvian language. Since 2021, schools have provided for the complete exclusion of teaching subjects in Russian.
Local attitude
There is an opinion that the population of the Baltic countries is unkind to Russians. Nevertheless, our compatriots living in Latvia or visiting this state as tourists note that this is not so. In fact, the attitude of Latvians towards Russians can be called neutral. Conflicts that sometimes arise relate to the usual behavior of our people, which is considered rude and defiant by the locals. But the one who behaves politely and respects local traditions, never has any problems.
They are quite kind in Latvia to Russian tourists. Local residents perceive them the same way as all other foreigners who came to the country to spend their money there. With the right behavior, Russian tourists can always count on respectful and attentive service.
When preparing for a trip to this country, it is worth considering that the period during which Latvia was part of the USSR is perceived by the Latvians as occupation. In this regard, any, even the slightest mention of the Soviet holidays, traditions and ideology, as well as the manifestation of arrogance by a resident of Russia will be perceived extremely negatively. This is not surprising, since a tourist in any country should respect the locals.
Adaptation Features
Obtaining the right to reside in Latvia must have the grounds stipulated by the legislation of the country. Among them:
- possession of a work permit;
- the presence of relatives who are citizens of the Baltic state;
- organization of own business;
- real estate ownership.
Based on the circumstances, the foreigner will receive the right to obtain a residence permit or permanent residence. For faster adaptation, the majority of Russian migrants choose the capital of the country for their residence. In this city of our former compatriots, there are 40.2% of the total population. Books and magazines in Russian are sold in Riga. You can listen to the radio on it. There are films in Latvia that come with Russian subtitles. Many of our former compatriots conduct successful business in this country or were able to take prestigious positions,
The policy of Latvia in relation to the Russian-speaking population who came here for employment is quite loyal. When legalized for work, our compatriots enjoy the same rights and social benefits as representatives of the indigenous population. However, the level of salaries in the offered professions is not so high. However, experienced professionals with higher education have a chance to find a good job. However, they will be able to take an existing vacancy only if there are no applicants from either Latvia itself or from countries belonging to the European Union.
When planning to live and work in this country, it is worth considering the fact that, according to its legislation, the use of the state language in all public spheres is mandatory. Violation of this norm threatens fines that start at 700 euros. Civil servants for this offense can be fired immediately.
How do Russians live in Latvia? This largely depends on the level of integration of each person in a new society for him. You can’t count on getting preferences for the Russian-speaking population. In 2012, the Russian diaspora insisted on holding a referendum considering the introduction of a second state language in the country. Together with Latvian, he was supposed to be Russian. However, the majority of voters, and this is 74.8%, voted against the proposal. This leads to the gradual disappearance of the Russian-speaking environment. So, if at the dawn of the 21st century it included more than 90% of the country's inhabitants of all ages, then in 2019 young Latvians give preference to English. In addition, to date, in addition to major resorts and cities, 75% of the country's inhabitants speak only Latvian.
Russian diaspora
Our compatriots in Latvia are the largest of all national minorities. 62.5% of ethnic Russians living in the country have her citizenship. 29.2% do not have it. A similar situation developed after the Baltic state gained independence. The country's government allowed citizenship only to those Russians who lived on its territory until 1940, and their descendants. All the rest could not use this right. This part of the Russian residents received a non-citizen certificate. Such a document provided the right to permanent residence in Latvia, but at the same time significantly limited people in their political and certain economic rights. The situation has changed somewhat after the Baltic countries joined the EU. According to the requirements of the Council of the European Union, non-citizens were given equal economic rights with Latvians. But these changes did not affect political possibilities. Non-citizens have not received the right to participate in state and municipal elections.
There are other restrictions for Russians. So, according to the Latvian laws, the Convention relating to the protection of the rights of national minorities does not apply to non-citizens who come from Russia.
Of course, each person is given the right to become a full-fledged resident of the country. To do this, you must obtain citizenship by going through the naturalization process. It includes passing an examination for knowledge of the Latvian language, the history of the country and its Constitution. It will also take an oath of allegiance to this state.
Today, Russians with Latvian citizenship live in the country 19.6% of the total population. Since 1996, the Russian Society has been operating in the country. Its main goal is to preserve and further develop Russian culture in Latvia, based on Christian values.
Our former compatriots have their own political party. It is called the Russian Union of Latvia. There is also a public organization in the country. This is the "Headquarters of the defense of Russian schools."
