Question 1

Can my children attend Latvian public school in English?

Accepted Answer

Latvian public schools teach primarily in Latvian. English is taught as a subject from early grades. Some schools have partial English or bilingual programmes. For full English-medium education, an international school in Riga is the appropriate choice. Russian-medium schools still operate but are transitioning to Latvian over a government-mandated timeline.

Question 2

Are international schools in Riga good quality?

Accepted Answer

Riga International School and Riga British School are accredited and well-regarded within the Baltic expat community. They are small schools compared to international schools in larger capitals, which can be a positive (tight community, more individual attention) or a negative (fewer extracurricular options). Costs are €5,000–€12,000/year — reasonable by international school standards.

Question 3

What are my options for learning Latvian as an adult expat?

Accepted Answer

Government-funded courses are available free or at minimal cost for residence permit holders through the Society Integration Foundation (SIF). The online platform Maciunmacies.lv provides free self-study. Private language schools offer intensive options. A2 level is required for permanent residency after 5 years; B2 for citizenship — both achievable with consistent study.

Question 4

Can I study medicine in Latvia as an international student?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) is well-known for attracting international medical students, particularly from Asia and the Middle East. RSU offers full English-language medical programmes at lower cost than Western European equivalents. EU students pay domestic rates; non-EU pay international fees (€8,000–€15,000/year for medicine).

Question 5

What is the situation with Russian-language schooling in Latvia?

Accepted Answer

Latvia is implementing a gradual transition of Russian-medium schools to Latvian-medium instruction, driven by language policy legislation. Most schools have already transitioned or are transitioning through 2025–2026. Russian-speaking families are increasingly using either Latvian-medium schools or international schools. This is an ongoing political and social issue in Latvia.

Education

Overview

Key Takeaways

Public Schools — Free and Improving

International Schools in Riga

Higher Education — University of Latvia and RTU

Learning Latvian

Common Questions — Education in Latvia

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