Baltic: Number of multinationals highest in Estonia
The number of multinational corporations in the Baltic States was highest in Estonia in 2024,…
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Welcome to Via Baltica, your “information superhighway” for news from the three Baltic tigers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! Our founder and editor-in-chief is Kerkko Paananen, senior news analyst with more than two decades of professional expertise in covering and reporting on current affairs in the Baltic States. We aim to do one thing well:…
Baltic: Number of multinationals highest in Estonia
The number of multinational corporations in the Baltic States was highest in Estonia in 2024, according to Eurostat data, LSM reports. Estonia had 1,199 multinationals in 2024, which was down slightly from 1,220 in 2023. Meanwhile, Lithuania had 984 (1,035) and Latvia 746 (718) multinational enterprises. In 2018, Estonia had as many as 1,529 multinationals,…
Lithuania: Train accidents propel sabotage fears
Two freight trains derailed in Lithuania within 48 hours on 1 and 2 May 2026, prompting fears of possible Russian sabotage, LRT reported. However, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said that the accidents were caused by technical failure or human error, BNS reported. A spokesman for state-owned railway group Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (LTG) said that the derailment…
Latvia: Ministry defends “golden visa” scheme
Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) issued 19,900 temporary residence permits to non-EU nationals who invested in the Latvian economy in the period from 1 July 2010 to the end of 2024, LETA reported. According to the Ministry of Economy, the so-called golden visa programme was “an important instrument” for attracting foreign capital…
Estonia: President still silent on second term
Estonia’s incumbent president, Alar Karis, said that he would indicate by July 2026 if he wants to run for a second term, ERR reports. Speaking in an interview with Vikerraadio, Karis noted that there was still several months until the election in September 2026, and that candidates could only be nominated in early July 2026….
Baltic: EU conference on Baltic Sea region in Tallinn
Over 500 experts and decision-makers from across the Baltic Sea region will attend the 17th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, on 11-13 May 2026, BNS reports. The central theme of this year’s forum is resilience. The conference participants will discuss regional security and…
Lithuania: Klaipeda port expects cruise record in 2026
Lithuania’s Klaipeda State Seaport opened the new cruise season on 2 May 2026, The Baltic Times reported. CEO Algis Latakas said that the port expected altogether 64 cruise ships with around 90,000 tourists to visit Klaipeda in 2026, which would be an all-time record in the port’s history. In 2027, the port may receive more…
Latvia: Populist party pushes pension reform referendum
Latvia’s Central Election Commission (CVK) has registered a signature campaign for holding a referendum on changing the country’s state-funded pension system, LSM reports. The populist opposition party, Latvia First (LPV), initiated the referendum campaign after the Latvian parliament, the Saeima, rejected the party’s legislative proposal. The referendum campaign is very unlikely to succeed, however. Under…
Estonia: Consumer prices up 3.4% in April 2026
Estonia’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.4% in April 2026 from a year earlier, according to Statistics Estonia, ERR reports. The price of goods went up by 3.8% and of services by 2.8% on year. The rise in consumer prices was driven mostly by higher fuel, housing, and food costs. Transport costs increased by…
Baltic: Authorities ready for Russia’s Victory Cult day
Authorities in the Baltic States are preparing for possible provocations on 9 May 2026, when Russians celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II and occupation of central and eastern Europe. Authorities in the Russian border town of Ivangorod (Jaanilinn) will hold another propaganda concert on the banks of the Narva river for the…