Start with the household and the work
List everyone moving, each nationality and civil relationship, the intended work and the proposed date. A spouse’s work rights, a teenager’s change of status and a school place can alter the plan even where the principal applicant qualifies. Keep the immigration decision separate from the tax-residence assessment.
Latvia’s September 2026 law removed new property-based residence applications. Choose an active residence category first; then compare Riga and Jūrmala as places to live rather than treating a property purchase as the immigration solution.
Before departure: collect records that are difficult to replace
Bring passports, full civil records, custody or consent documents and the route-specific police certificates. Confirm which need apostille/legalisation and certified translation. For the financial plan, retain historic asset purchases, company ownership, accounts, foreign tax payments and employment or service agreements.
Arrange initial accommodation without assuming the landlord will permit address registration. Ask in writing about registration, the inventory, deposit, utilities and termination. A scouting stay can test the location while the legal and school decisions are still open.
Arrival and the first practical registrations
Complete the residence-document and address steps required by the selected category, then establish actual health-insurance eligibility. A private policy used in an immigration file and enrolment in publicly funded care are different things. An EHIC covers eligible temporary-stay treatment, not every permanent relocation.
Choose a bank or payment account around salary, rent, international transfers and documentation. Prepare tax-residence and source-of-funds evidence; do not depend on an unapproved account being opened before the first salary or property payment.
| Issue | What matters |
|---|---|
| Before travel | Admission and work route; family documents; departure-tax and asset-record review. |
| On arrival | Identity/card steps, address, employer/payroll and healthcare eligibility. |
| First settled month | Suitable bank, school/GP arrangements, household bills and tax-system access. |
| Throughout the first year | Days and travel evidence, tax filing, permit conditions and renewal diary. |
Make the first tax year deliberate
Keep the day record and the evidence of where the family and business actually operate. Investment disposals, bonuses and dividends around a move should be reviewed before payment or sale. The country you leave may continue taxing an item even after the destination treats you as resident.
We can help assess the linked tax, company and banking decisions and agree the implementation that is available. The scope should identify the people, countries, entities, deliverables and ongoing responsibilities rather than leave the household coordinating disconnected advice.
Sources & research notes5 references
Sources supporting this guide. Research draft awaiting editorial review.