Latvia Departure: One Month Notice Required
rising Concerns Over Migration and Security in Riga, Latvia
Table of Contents
Published August 19, 2025
Increased Migration Fuels Security Concerns
Riga, Latvia is grappling with growing anxieties surrounding migration, both legal and illegal. The issue has become a central point of discussion,particularly following recent local elections where the National Alliance highlighted the need for stricter controls. Officials report a shift in the demographics of those attempting to enter Latvia without authorization, with a notable increase in individuals arriving from African nations, alongside the historically more common arrivals from Central asia.
Ēriks Ratnieks, Riga’s Vice Mayor, expressed concern that residents are beginning to feel less safe in the capital city due to the rising number of undocumented migrants. He pointed to experiences in other European countries, such as Sweden and France, where increased migration has been linked to a deterioration in public safety. “We must act proactively for the sake of future security,” Ratnieks stated,announcing plans for large-scale police raids targeting undocumented migrants beginning at the end of September.
Enforcement and Apprehensions
Riga Municipal Police Chief juris Lukas explained that individuals found without proper residency permits will be handed over to the State Police or the Border Guard. so far this year, 22 undocumented migrants have been apprehended in Riga, with 15 originating from African countries. Thes individuals, often arriving via Belarus and Russia, are frequently found disoriented and seeking connections with others in similar circumstances.
Apprehension numbers remain relatively consistent year-over-year. Riga municipal Police have transferred 22 individuals to the State Border Guard as of this year, averaging less than three per month. This compares to 23 in 2023 and 24 in 2022. The majority of those apprehended in riga this year have come from Sudan and Ethiopia.
| Year | Number of Apprehensions (Riga) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 24 |
Calls for Stricter Immigration Policies
Girtis Lapinas, chairman of the Security, Public Order and Corruption Prevention Committee of the Riga City Council and a member of the National Alliance, indicated that the local government intends to reduce both illegal and legal immigration. A key proposal centers around language proficiency. Currently, temporary residency permits do not require applicants to demonstrate knowledge of Latvian, while permanent residency does. The National alliance plans to propose amendments to legislation requiring all foreign nationals seeking to extend their residency permits to pass a state Latvian language exam after their first year of residence.
Lapinas argues that the education system is a important loophole exploited by individuals seeking to gain legal entry into Latvia. He claims that while approximately 10,500 foreign students enroll in Latvian universities annually, only around 1,400 complete their studies. This discrepancy, he alleges, allows universities to profit from a system that facilitates migration, earning “millions” in the process.
To address this, lapinas intends to propose quotas for international students from non-EU countries, arguing that it is indeed unreasonable for universities to admit 10,000 non-EU students annually.