Latvia Handbook

LATVIA HANDBOOK Military Family Services (Europe) www.cafconnection.ca/Europe Date published: July 2019 Date revised: Jan 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) RIGA-REMOTE TEAM 1 European Advisory Committee .......................................................................... 3 Using This Guide ............................................................................................. 3 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 1 OVERVIEW OF RIGA, LATVIA ..................................... 2 Maps ............................................................................................................. 2 Geography/Politics .......................................................................................... 4 Climate ......................................................................................................... 4 Languages ..................................................................................................... 4 Religion ......................................................................................................... 5 Cost of Living ................................................................................................. 6 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................. 6 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ......................................................... 6 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 8 News ............................................................................................................. 8 BEFORE YOU COME ..................................................... 9 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 11 Public Safety and Security .............................................................................. 11 Emergency Contacts ...................................................................................... 11 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 12 Making Phone Calls ....................................................................................... 12 Date published: July 2019 Date revised: Jan 2020 Calling Within Europe .............................................................................. 12 Calling Outside of Latvia .......................................................................... 12 Calling Canada from Latvia ...................................................................... 12 Calling Latvia from Canada ...................................................................... 12 Some Country Codes: ............................................................................. 13 Summary: ............................................................................................. 13 Toll Free and Charges for Calls ................................................................. 13 Where to Live ............................................................................................... 14 Houses and Realtors ...................................................................................... 14 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 15 Subsidized Travel .......................................................................................... 15 Air Travel ..................................................................................................... 16 Train ........................................................................................................... 16 Taxis ........................................................................................................... 17 Car Rental ................................................................................................... 17 Hotels ......................................................................................................... 17 Travel Advisories .......................................................................................... 17 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 18 Banking ....................................................................................................... 18 Local Currency ....................................................................................... 18 Bank Accounts and Financial Considerations ............................................... 19 Bank Cards & Credit Cards ....................................................................... 19 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs .................................... 20 Money Transfer ...................................................................................... 20 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 20 Child Benefits ............................................................................................... 22 Pets ............................................................................................................ 23 POSTAL SERVICES .................................................... 25 Personal Mail ................................................................................................ 25 Canadian Forces Post Office ..................................................................... 25 Latvian Postal Services ............................................................................ 25 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 27 General ....................................................................................................... 27 Emergency Numbers ..................................................................................... 28 Hospitals ..................................................................................................... 28 Private Clinics ............................................................................................... 30 Pharmaceutical Services ................................................................................ 31 Dental Clinics ............................................................................................... 31 Social Services ............................................................................................. 32 Social Worker ........................................................................................ 33 Padre .................................................................................................... 33 CAF Member Assistance Program .............................................................. 33 Family Information Line .......................................................................... 33 Local Resources ..................................................................................... 34 A. A. Meetings ....................................................................................... 34 Great West Life / Allianz ................................................................................ 34 Dental Claims ........................................................................................ 34 Medical Claims ....................................................................................... 34 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 35 General ....................................................................................................... 35 Driver’s Licence ............................................................................................ 35 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ..................................... 36 Roadworthiness Test/Safety ........................................................................... 38 Car Insurance ............................................................................................... 39 Vehicle Registration ....................................................................................... 39 Emission Sticker ........................................................................................... 39 European Green Zones ............................................................................ 39 Fuel Card ..................................................................................................... 40 Items in Your Car .......................................................................................... 40 Biking/Mopeds/Motorcycles ............................................................................ 40 Bicycles ................................................................................................ 40 Mopeds and Scooters .............................................................................. 40 Parking ........................................................................................................ 41 Tolls ............................................................................................................ 41 Rest Stops ................................................................................................... 41 Driving Speed ............................................................................................... 42 Speed Cameras ...................................................................................... 42 Safety Belts and Child Seats ........................................................................... 42 Mobile Phones .............................................................................................. 42 Winter Tires ................................................................................................

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