Returning to Latvia: How Salaspils is Welcoming Its Diaspora Home

For many Latvians living in the UK, Norway, or Canada, the idea of returning home is often tempered by a single, daunting question: “How will I make a living?” In the municipality of Salaspils, local authorities are attempting to answer that question with more than just warm words. A recent gathering led by Mayor Raivis Anspaks brought together returnees from across the globe to discuss the practical realities of reintegration, from securing business grants to finding the right school for children born abroad.

The meeting, which included families who have recently relocated from Norway, New Zealand, and Canada, highlighted a shift in how Latvian municipalities approach their diaspora. Rather than viewing remigration as a purely sentimental journey, Salaspils is treating it as an economic opportunity, focusing on infrastructure, demography, and the specific needs of entrepreneurial families.

Financial Incentives and Business Support

One of the most concrete takeaways for those considering a move is the availability of targeted financial support. Anita Skubiļina, head of the municipality’s Development, Investment, and Property Department, confirmed that Salaspils is actively offering individual consultations for aspiring business owners. For 2026, the state and local government have allocated grants of up to €6,486 for businesses founded by returnees or for companies creating new jobs specifically for them.

While the sum may seem modest, for many, it serves as the vital seed capital needed to bridge the gap between a dream and a functional business. Sandra Purēna, who returned from Norway, is a prime example. She used her grant to purchase production equipment for her company, “Pure Wood,” which manufactures children’s furniture. Having developed her designs while living in Norway, she has now pivoted to manufacturing in Salaspils with a clear eye on the export market—proving that skills gained abroad can be successfully transplanted back to Latvian soil.

The Social Infrastructure of Reintegration

For families, the decision to move is rarely based on business alone. The Salaspils municipality has identified childcare and education as its top priorities to ensure the transition is sustainable. Mayor Anspaks announced that a new childcare service is in development to provide parents with flexible options, addressing a common pain point for professional parents returning from countries with robust social safety nets.

However, the transition is not without its hurdles. Veneranda Bogdāne, director of Salaspils Primary School, noted that the school currently hosts five children of returnees from the UK, Norway, Russia, and Belgium. The primary challenge remains the Latvian language and the bureaucratic process of validating educational documents from abroad. “A significant factor for success is the active involvement of parents in the child’s educational journey,” Bogdāne noted, emphasizing that the emotional and academic adjustment for children is a family-wide effort.

Navigating the Move: Practical Steps

For those currently in the UK or elsewhere planning their return, timing is everything. Daina Šulca, the remigration coordinator for the Rīga Planning Region, stresses that the most successful returns are those planned well in advance. She identifies five pillars of a smooth transition: securing documents in the host country, housing, employment, kindergarten, and school placement.

Returnees at the meeting cited Salaspils’ proximity to nature, the quality of local food, and the cleanliness of the urban environment as major draws. For Linda Sondore, who spent a decade in Canada before moving back in April, the focus is now on finding a niche in the service industry. Whether it is gardening or waste management, the goal for many returnees is to leverage their international experience to create a self-sufficient life in a familiar setting.

As the municipality prepares for the next round of business grant applications, the message from Salaspils is clear: the door is open, but the most successful returns are built on a foundation of early communication and a willingness to adapt international expertise to the local market.

Source: Salaspils novada pašvaldība

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Raivis AnspaksAnita SkubiļinaSandra PurēnaLinda SondoreIlze Iesalniece–BrukingaVeneranda BogdāneDaina Šulca

#Latvian Diaspora#Remigration#Salaspils Business

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