Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Living, working, or studying in Latvia does not prevent staying close to family and friends. With a highly developed internet coverage, efficient mobile networks, and a multitude of messaging and video conferencing apps, Latvia provides an ideal setting to stay in touch on a daily basis. The question is how to go about it practically, which tools to use, how to keep costs down, and how to manage cultural differences and time zones.
This article provides a practical guide for maintaining social ties internationally, whether it’s calling loved ones in France, chatting with friends in Canada, or organizing a regular video happy hour with a family scattered around the world.
An excellent foundation: connectivity in Latvia
The first piece of good news is that Latvia is one of the best-equipped European countries for fixed and mobile internet. This makes a huge difference in the quality of video calls, the stability of audio conversations, and heavy use of messaging apps on the go.
By the end of 2025, over 93% of the population were using the internet, representing around 1.74 million people. The proportion of households covered by a broadband connection is also very high.
Here are some key figures to set the context.
Internet coverage and access
| Indicator | Approximate value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Share of population with internet access | ≈ 94% | Among the highest rates ever recorded |
| Household broadband coverage | 90.7% | 5th place in the EU |
| Broadband coverage in low-density areas | 75.2% | Well above the regional average |
| Mobile network users (active SIMs) | 2.72 million | 147% of the population (multiple cards) |
| Share of mobile connections on 3G/4G/5G | 97.9% | Largely broadband networks |
In major cities like Riga, Daugavpils, or Liepāja, fiber and very high-speed internet are widely available. Even in many rural areas, the connection remains perfectly adequate for regular video calls, with only a few more isolated pockets where speed may degrade.
Connection speeds: ideal for video calls
For good communication, what matters is less the maximum theoretical speed than the stability and average real-world speed. On this front, Latvia performs very well.
| Connection type | Median download speed | Median upload speed | Notes for video calling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed internet (early 2025) | ≈ 108 Mb/s | — | Ample margin for HD and file sharing |
| Mobile internet (late 2025) | ≈ 127 Mb/s | — | Sufficient for video calls even outdoors |
| Average ping (fixed, Q1 2025) | 38 ms | — | Latency generally compatible with video |
| Average ping (mobile, Q1 2025) | 36 ms | — | Good comfort for voice over IP |
With this level of performance, organizing video dinner parties, online birthdays, or even long daily chats with loved ones is entirely realistic, provided of course you have a suitable data plan.
A national strategy very pro-connectivity
Latvian authorities are heavily investing in digitalization. The country supports the European “gigabit society” goals, aiming to make connections of at least 100 Mb/s, upgradable to gigabit, accessible to all households, including in rural areas. Public funding through the recovery and resilience plan is supporting the expansion of fiber and 5G infrastructure along major transport corridors like the Via Baltica.
In practice, for someone settling in Latvia, this means you can reasonably count on good quality internet, both at home and on the go, to stay in constant contact with your loved ones.
Local SIM, eSIM, or Wi-Fi: how to connect daily
Before even choosing a messaging app, you need to decide how to connect. Three main options emerge: Wi‑Fi (home, cafés, libraries, etc.), a standard local SIM card, and an eSIM. Each has its advantages.
Using Wi‑Fi: convenient, but not always enough
In Latvia, free Wi‑Fi is very common. In Riga alone, there are nearly 2,200 free hotspots in cafés, shops, and other public places. Hotels, libraries, and shopping centers also widely offer it.
This is enough for most communication, especially if you’re fairly sedentary. But to stay reachable everywhere and start a video call while walking the streets of Riga or exploring the coast of Jurmala, mobile access is more comfortable and more secure than public networks.
Buying a local SIM card
The main local operators are LMT, Tele2, and Bite. For a medium or long stay, buying a prepaid SIM is almost always cheaper than using roaming from your home operator.
You can find SIM cards:
– at Riga Airport, in the arrivals area,
– in official operator stores,
– at retailers like Euronics, RD Electronics,
– at kiosks or convenience stores like Narvesen, R-Kiosk, Rimi.
Prepaid offers start at around €5 for small data volumes, and go up to about twenty euros for more generous plans suitable for heavy video and messaging use. Unlimited monthly contract plans average around €24.
Opting for eSIM: the “all online” solution
eSIM can be particularly convenient if you want to prepare your arrival in Latvia remotely, or if you travel frequently between countries. It’s a virtual SIM activated via a QR code, no physical card needed.
Several providers available locally or internationally allow you to get an eSIM for Latvia:
| Provider | Type of service | Indicative price and key features |
|---|---|---|
| esimlatvia.net | Dedicated Latvia eSIM | Example customer offers: 10 GB for $12 over 15 days, unlimited plans for 15 days |
| GoMoWorld | Data-only, multi-country | Plans from €3.99, European VPN included, hotspot allowed |
| Saily (NordVPN) | Data-only, 1 to 20 GB | From $3.99 for 7 or 30 days, dedicated app, usage alerts |
| Maya Mobile | Plans 5 to 100 GB (including unlimited) | 4G/5G, 24/7 support, tethering allowed |
| Ubigi | Unlimited 30-day plan (FUP) | ≈ $49, speed reduced after 60 GB, reusable in 200+ destinations |
| ChillaxSIM | Data + sometimes voice/local number | From 500 MB to 50 GB, volume or daily plans, 24/7 support |
Most of these offers are “data-only”. So you don’t get a Latvian number for regular calls, but for staying in touch with loved ones, that’s not an issue: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Messenger, or calls via Skype or Zoom are more than sufficient.
eSIM lets you keep your regular SIM card active to receive important SMS (bank, authentication) while using a local data plan for internet calls, thus avoiding high roaming fees.
Setting up your phone properly to avoid surprises
To get the most out of a local SIM or eSIM, it’s wise to:
– disable data on your original SIM to avoid unintentional roaming,
– switch all communication apps to the new connection (set it as the primary data SIM),
– check that “data roaming” is enabled for the eSIM (this doesn’t incur extra costs with such plans),
– monitor usage in your phone settings or the operator/eSIM app to avoid exceeding your data plan.
Once connectivity is sorted, you need to choose your communication channels. Latvia is a country very connected to international platforms. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, and WhatsApp are massively used, making it easy to pick tools shared with your loved ones.
The most popular messaging apps
Among the most popular communication apps in Latvia are:
– WhatsApp Messenger,
– Telegram,
– Viber,
– Messenger (Meta),
– imo-International Calls & Chat,
– Snapchat,
– Signal,
– as well as various local or regional services like Inbox.lv for email.
A segmentation study shows that messaging app users in Latvia are mostly young adults, with a high proportion in the 18-34 age group, and the main operators used by these mobile users are indeed Tele2, LMT, and Bite.
Why prioritize video calls
The pandemic has widely democratized the use of video conferencing, even among older people. Video calls offer several benefits:
– a warmer connection than voice alone,
– the ability to see your loved one’s environment and assess how they’re doing,
– better fight against isolation and loneliness, especially for seniors,
– the chance to visually share life moments: an apartment, a walk, a meal.
An expat living in Latvia can use visual tools to share their daily life with family. They can show iconic places like Riga’s Old Town, Jurmala’s beaches, or the forests of Gauja National Park, offering a virtual immersion that makes it feel like they are there.
Choosing the right platforms based on your loved ones
The simplest approach is often to adapt to each person’s level of tech comfort.
For parents or grandparents comfortable with digital, the standard classics work well:
– WhatsApp: free, end-to-end encrypted, video group calls up to 32 people, ideal for family;
– Viber: also encrypted, very popular in the region, convenient for families spread across Eastern Europe;
– Messenger: handy if everyone is already on Facebook;
– Skype or Zoom: useful for larger screens or involving many participants.
For older relatives or those struggling with technology, there are simplified devices designed for seniors:
Discover a selection of devices specially designed to facilitate communication and combat isolation in the elderly.
Simplified tablet with large buttons, a stylus, and a clean interface. Works on a private encrypted network and allows video calls with 24/7 support. Requires a monthly subscription.
Connected digital photo frame for receiving photos, clips, and video calls. ‘Call Me’ feature to request a call and auto-answer to facilitate conversation.
21-inch screen with a single button, no touchscreen. Video calls and photos arrive automatically via a closed family network, requiring no action from the user.
Devices that turn a TV into a video conferencing screen. Ideal for people with cognitive impairments, as no manipulation is needed.
Even though these solutions are mainly marketed in North America or Western Europe, they can work from Latvia as long as a good internet connection is available. The main challenges are cost and, for some models, geographic access to the service.
Video, voice, text: varying formats to stay more present
Not everyone always has time for an hour-long video call. Mixing different formats helps maintain the connection without overloading schedules:
– short WhatsApp voice notes during a break,
– daily photos shared in a family group,
– longer, more thoughtful emails sent on weekends,
– live conversations via Messenger or Telegram.
Regularity is key. A short message every other day can be more reassuring for family than one long isolated call per month.
Calling standard international numbers from Latvia
Even with the widespread use of WhatsApp and internet calls, sometimes it’s still necessary to reach a loved one on a landline or a “regular” mobile: someone not comfortable with apps, lack of a smartphone, temporary connection issues, etc.
From Latvia, several cheap international telephony solutions exist, avoiding the sometimes high rates of traditional mobile operators.
Mytello: low-cost international calls
Mytello works as a “bridge” service for reduced-rate international calls. The principle is simple: the user registers the international number to call, receives a local number to dial, and the call is redirected to the recipient.
Some useful features for someone based in Latvia:
The service requires no contract or monthly fee, works with a free mobile app or a regular phone, and uses prepaid credit that never expires. It includes a free first call, a money-back guarantee, and allows calling over 220 countries, with rates varying significantly by destination (e.g., ~€0.01/min to Poland).
Mytello can be useful for reaching relatives who have no internet at all, or for calling customer service abroad, hospitals, banks, or government offices that cannot be reached via messaging apps.
Other services dedicated to international calls
Several similar platforms offer cheap calls to and from Latvia:
Discover flexible and economical solutions for making international calls, without subscriptions or hidden fees.
Call mobiles and landlines in over 190 countries from $0.04/min. No hidden fees or mandatory subscription.
Prepaid international calling app with welcome credit. Recharge by credit card or at partner retail locations.
Digital calling cards with transparent per-minute rates, no contract. Easily recharge online.
The common advantage of these solutions is decoupling the international call from your Latvian mobile plan: your operator charges a local call (or even zero if you have unlimited national calls), and the international part is handled by the specialized service, much cheaper.
Managing daily communication: time zones, rhythm, and tools
Living in Latvia means dealing with the Eastern European Time zone (EET, UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer). For loved ones in France, the difference is small, but for a family scattered worldwide, planning is key.
Managing the time difference
Latvia shares its standard time (EET) with Helsinki, Athens, Bucharest, Cairo, Tallinn, and Vilnius, but is:
– about 2 hours ahead of London,
– 7 hours ahead of New York,
– 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles,
– 6 hours ahead of Hong Kong,
– 7 hours ahead of Tokyo,
– 9 hours ahead of Sydney (depending on the season).
To organize a family video call, it’s crucial to find a time slot that works for all participants. This might mean planning a session in the morning for one part of the family and another in the evening for the other. Using time conversion tools or shared calendars like Google Calendar or Outlook makes this coordination much easier.
Setting regular appointments
To avoid the dreaded “We’ll call soon” that never happens, establishing habits works well:
– video call every Sunday evening with parents,
– virtual lunch once a month with childhood friends,
– quick video chat after school with the kids, if they live in another country.
The idea isn’t to turn relationships into timed meetings, but to guarantee a minimum of regular presence, to which more spontaneous exchanges via messages and photos can be added.
Many Latvians are active on social networks, and statistics show that over three-quarters of the population use at least one platform like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. This also applies to the diaspora: many families mix private conversations on messaging apps with more public sharing on social networks.
From Latvia, you can therefore:
– create a family WhatsApp or Telegram group for important news,
– set up a shared photo album on Google Photos or iCloud to centralize travel pictures, celebrations, daily life,
– use Instagram to post “my life in Latvia” stories,
– organize Facebook events for physical reunions when back home.
This continuous stream of images, videos, and comments helps ease the feeling of distance.
The role of local culture in how you communicate
Staying in touch with loved ones isn’t just about technology. Settling in Latvia also means adapting to a particular communication culture, which can influence how you make new friends and manage your relationships locally.
A rather reserved and direct communication style
Latvians are often described as reserved, not prone to unnecessary small talk. Communication is generally clear, direct, without excessive emotional display, especially in professional settings. Politeness is important, but overly enthusiastic gestures may be seen as artificial.
This has two practical implications for an expatriate:
Initial interactions may seem cold, but trust is built gradually through consistency. It’s crucial to practice active listening and be attentive to non-verbal cues like body language and silence.
In the private sphere, once trust is established, Latvians become more open and warm, which helps create friendships and build a local network, complementary to the long-distance family network.
Multilingualism and language choice
Many Latvians speak several languages. Besides Latvian, a large number of people, especially those over 25, speak Russian, and English is very common among younger generations and internationally-oriented professionals. German and French are also taught as foreign languages.
For a French speaker, English is the easiest contact language. However, learning and using a few Latvian words, like “Labdien” (hello) or “Paldies” (thank you), is very appreciated. This is seen as a sign of respect and helps build connections with locals.
Formality and using “you”
The polite form “Jūs” is required with strangers, superiors, and older people, while the “tu” (informal “you”) is reserved for friends, family, or colleagues with whom the relationship is already casual. In professional settings, titles and last names are commonly used, at least initially.
Understanding these codes helps build stable relationships locally, which in turn enrich the circle of loved ones you want to stay in touch with across borders.
Don’t forget postal mail: letters, packages, and souvenirs
Even in the age of HD video calls, receiving a handwritten letter or a package sent from Latvia has a special emotional value. It’s a very concrete way to show your loved ones you’re thinking of them: postcards from Riga, local specialties, small gifts.
The Latvian postal service: Latvijas Pasts
The national postal service, Latvijas Pasts, offers many options for sending letters and parcels, with an online portal (mans.pasts.lv) that lets you prepare shipments, pay, and use automatic lockers.
Packages can be dropped off:
– at post offices,
– at automated drop-off and pickup machines located throughout the country,
– or handed to couriers in some cases.
Delivery times to European countries are generally 4 to 8 working days, depending on the destination and service chosen. For urgent shipments, an express solution like EMS is available, offering shorter delivery times but at higher rates.
Sending packages to loved ones abroad
From Latvia, you can use: public transport, online services, and social networks.
Discover the different postal and delivery providers available for sending packages from or to Latvia, with services suited to your needs.
National postal service for standard and registered mail, ideal for letters and small parcels.
Omniva, DPD, DHL, SmartPosti, Ecoparcel, or Parcel ABC offer various options: pickup points, home delivery, insurance, and detailed tracking.
Prices vary according to weight, size, destination country, and requested speed. Generally, expect a few euros for a small light European shipment, and more for bulky parcels or non-EU destinations.
Even if these shipments don’t replace digital exchanges, they allow you to materialize the bond: send printed photos, an album, small objects that remind of Latvia, or products unavailable in your loved ones’ country.
Seniors and vulnerable loved ones: adapting tools and rhythms
A significant part of long-distance families must deal with elderly relatives or those losing independence. The challenge is not just to talk, but also to discreetly check that everything is okay, ease loneliness, and informally keep an eye on health.
Why video is especially useful for seniors
Studies show that regular video calls help reduce feelings of isolation, depression, and social withdrawal in the elderly. For an expat child or grandchild in Latvia, it’s a valuable tool for:
To assess an elderly person’s well-being during a call, it’s advisable to carefully observe their face, posture, and tone of voice. It’s also useful to discreetly check the condition of their home in the background. Finally, encouraging a routine where they prepare for the call can help structure their day.
However, it’s essential to simplify the technology as much as possible on the senior’s side, with clearly visible buttons, clean interfaces, and if possible, auto-answer functions (like on Komp, ViewClix, or some TV devices) that avoid having to manipulate small screens.
Best practices for calls with seniors
For frail loved ones, the following recommendations are useful:
To ensure a good quality video call with an elderly person, especially those with cognitive or hearing impairments, several precautions are essential. Test and configure devices in advance (app installation, sound and image settings). Choose a time when the person is feeling well, often late morning or early afternoon for those with cognitive issues. Prefer a quiet, well-lit environment to facilitate lip-reading if needed. Use a headset or earphones on the senior’s end if hearing is poor. Finally, be patient with technical glitches and calmly repeat instructions if necessary.
The goal is to make these video appointments a pleasant and anticipated moment, not a source of tech-related stress.
Coping with distance without burning out
Staying in touch with loved ones from Latvia is technically easy today, but it can be psychologically demanding. Between work obligations, integration into a new country, time differences, and family expectations, it’s important to find a balance.
A few principles can help:
To maintain the connection despite the distance, it’s essential to set clear boundaries on your availability, explain time zone and lifestyle constraints, vary the communication formats (quick messages and scheduled calls), and involve your loved ones by sharing photos, anecdotes, and videos about discovering the country, beyond just formal updates.
Latvia, with its landscapes, traditions like Midsummer (Jāņi), historic cities, and advanced digital infrastructure, provides rich material to share. By sharing this daily life, relatives feel less that the expatriation creates a barrier; instead, they feel like they’re traveling a bit with you.
In summary: a complete toolkit for staying close, even far away
Thanks to a very solid internet coverage, fast mobile networks, and a rich offering of communication apps, Latvia is a particularly favorable country for maintaining long-distance ties. By smartly combining a local SIM or eSIM, encrypted messaging, video calls, low-cost international calling services, and occasional postal mailings, you can weave an almost daily presence with those who matter.
Staying in touch from Latvia is therefore not just a matter of technology. It’s also the art of balancing formats, respecting each other’s rhythms, learning local cultural codes to build new bonds, and above all, cultivating regular attention that, despite the miles, makes loved ones feel like they’re always by your side.
Advice for maintaining long-distance ties from Latvia
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
