European best destinations 2025 - Riga

Business Environment

Discover Riga – the heart of Northern Europe and a dynamic investment hub Riga offers access to vast markets, cost-efficiency, a highly skilled and multilingual workforce, well-developed business infrastructure, and a stable, long-term investment environment. It is a city where opportunity meets potential.

The Heart of Northern Europe. Riga is the largest metropolis in the Baltic States and one of the major cities in Northern Europe.

Strategic Location Riga offers convenient access to European markets and a highly developed logistics network. Over 6 million people live within a three-hour drive. The international airport provides direct flights to more than 90 destinations, while the Port of Riga connects with ports in 50 countries worldwide.

Competitive costs and favorable tax environment. Riga offers competitive labor and real estate costs, along with attractive tax rates and incentives.

Highly Skilled Workforce. Riga is Latvia's largest education centre, with 39.5% of the population holding a higher education degree and 29% possessing vocational secondary education. More than half of the population speaks at least two foreign languages. Latvia ranks 18th in the IMD World Talent Ranking.

Advanced Business Infrastructure. Riga has emerged as the leading startup hub in the Baltic region, offering a dynamic environment for business growth and investment. The core of regional industrial activity is concentrated within special economic zones. Riga stands out as the only capital city in the Baltic with such a zone — the Freeport of Riga.

High quality of life with affordable living. Riga combines a high standard of living with reasonable everyday expenses, a rich cultural heritage, excellent public services, and a safe, family-friendly environment.

Strategic Investment in Urban Development. In 2025, the Riga municipality is implementing its largest investment programme to date — €288 million allocated to education infrastructure, transport improvements, and urban environment development.

Rankings

International Corporate Income Tax Index 2025 in the OECD taxfoundation.org 1
International Tax Competitiveness Index 2025 taxfoundation.org 2
Riga — Top 10 in Human Capital and Lifestyle (Europe best mid-sized city category by fDi Intelligence), 2024 & 2025 fdiintelligence.com 3
Investment Freedom Index 2025 heritage.org 85pts/100pts
Investment & Development talent factor, World Talent Ranking 2024, Europe – Middle East – Africa imd.org 13
Riga: +13 places in the global Smart City Index 2025, +37 places over the past two years imd.org 46
Riga – Most Dynamically Developing City of the Year in the CEE Region (CEE Business Services Awards), 2024 & 2025 europeanbusinessservices.com
Index Ventures ranked Latvia as the most startup-friendly country in Europe notoptional.eu
Riga 2027
pdf
Riga economic profile 2025
pdf

For Investors

Riga – where ideas turn into successful ventures. A dynamic environment, openness to innovation, and a business-friendly atmosphere make Riga a place where bold ideas transform into tangible results.

If you need an assistance

We are your first point of contact if you're interested in Riga as a place for investment, business development, or film production. We will assist and help with the right people and organizations without added cost. Get in touch and let's make things happen.

LET US KNOW
This website uses mandatory cookies.With your consent, cookies necessary for statistics and marketing may also be used on this website.
If you accept additional cookies, please select your choice: