Obtaining Latvian Citizenship

Latvian citizenship is a legal status that grants its holder all rights and obligations established by national legislation. It can be obtained by applicants from outside the European Union and other foreign nationals through repatriation, by birth in the country, by descent, or after residing in Latvia for at least 10 years as a legal resident.

A Latvian passport provides the opportunity to study at European universities free of charge, conduct business, or work across the EU without additional permits, as well as enjoy other benefits associated with EU citizenship. The country’s legislation provides 10 legal grounds for applying for citizenship, which are discussed further in the article.

Benefits of Latvian Citizenship

A Latvian passport grants its holder the right to:

• access healthcare services in modern clinics across EU countries under European insurance coverage;
• receive state benefits and social payments;
• participate in elections both as a voter and as a candidate;
• reside in other EU countries without time limitations;
• study at leading universities in the European Union at reduced cost or free of charge;
• work across the EU without additional permits, with priority access to the labor market;
• travel visa-free to 181 countries worldwide (as of August 2022);
• conduct business within the European Union.

Citizenship Law

The granting of citizenship to foreign nationals is regulated by the Law on Citizenship, which has been in force since 1995. In 2013, the document was amended: according to the changes, participants in the repatriation program were granted the right to retain their previous passport, while children of non-citizens and stateless persons were recognized as having a legal connection with the state.

Legal Ways to Obtain Latvian Citizenship

As of 2022, there are four main ways to obtain Latvian citizenship:

• Birth. Citizenship is granted to individuals born in the country if at least one of their parents is a Latvian citizen. A passport by birth is also issued to descendants of non-citizens born in Latvia after August 21, 1991. In this case, a mandatory condition is continuous residence in the country together with one of the parents for the last 5 years prior to submitting the application. Non-citizens are considered to be immigrants from states that were previously part of a larger political union, who resided in Latvia as of July 1, 1992.
• Descent. This option is suitable for descendants of those who held Latvian citizenship as of June 17, 1940. Citizenship by origin is also granted to children born outside Latvia if at least one parent is a Latvian citizen. Children born abroad after January 1, 2020, to parents holding non-citizen status also acquire a legal connection with Latvia if they do not receive citizenship in their country of birth.
• Repatriation. Descendants of Latvian exiles, as well as individuals of Latvian or Livonian origin, may apply for citizenship under a simplified procedure. Repatriates include persons who were Latvian citizens as of June 17, 1940, left the country before May 4, 1990 due to historical political circumstances, and did not return. Latvians and Livonians are considered those who lived in the territory of the state before June 17, 1940.
• Naturalization. Obtaining citizenship through this method generally requires residing in the country for 5 years with a residence permit and an additional 5 years with permanent residence. The applicant must also be over 15 years old, have knowledge of the state language, and be familiar with the national anthem, history, and Constitution. Citizenship through naturalization is available to any foreign national who has complied with migration regulations and fulfilled all legal requirements.

The overall process of obtaining Latvian citizenship includes the following stages:

• preparation of the required documents depending on the chosen pathway;
• submission of the application to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA);
• passing a test on knowledge of the language, culture, and history of the country;
• signing and taking an oath of allegiance to the state after the application is approved;
• adoption of a decision on granting citizenship by the Cabinet of Ministers;
• obtaining a passport and a national identity card.

The application review period, depending on the grounds, ranges from 4 to 12 months.

Applicants seeking Latvian citizenship must meet the following criteria:

• knowledge of the language, history, culture, and national anthem;
• absence of criminal records in any country for offenses considered criminal under Latvian law;
• familiarity with the laws and the Constitution of the state;
• no threat posed by the applicant to national security.

In most cases, renunciation of the current citizenship is also required — dual citizenship is available only to repatriates and minor children.

The legislation provides the following grounds that may lead to obtaining Latvian citizenship through naturalization or simplified procedures:

• employment;
• education;
• marriage;
• family reunification;
• investment;
• real estate purchase;
• entrepreneurship;
• scientific activity;
• refugee status;
• EU citizenship.

The first step toward obtaining a passport is acquiring a residence permit. The state fee for issuing a residence permit depends on the grounds for application. Under the standard procedure, the process takes 30 days and costs between 70–150 EUR. Under the expedited procedure, the document is issued within 10 or 5 working days, with a fee of 200–450 EUR.

Employment

Employment under a contract allows a foreign national to obtain a residence permit for the duration of the agreement, but not exceeding 5 years. The applicant must meet the employer’s requirements regarding qualifications and education. The employer submits a request for an employee invitation to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), along with the employment contract and the applicant’s diploma. The foreign national, in turn, applies for a work visa at the consulate or embassy in their country of residence and, after entering the country, obtains a residence permit from the OCMA.

Education

Students enrolled in local universities may apply for a residence permit, the validity of which exceeds the study period by 4 months. The main requirements include sufficient financial means to live in the country (at least 500 EUR per month for adult applicants and from 150 EUR for minors) and official enrollment in an educational institution. Additional documents required for immigration include proof of financial resources and a university admission agreement.

Marriage

Spouses of Latvian citizens, non-citizens, or foreign nationals holding permanent residence permits may apply for residency. Additional documents in this case include a marriage certificate and proof of sufficient financial means for living in the country. Upon the first application, the residence permit is issued for 12 months, then it can be extended for 4 years, and upon the third application, permanent residence is granted. A minor child may also immigrate together with the spouse, provided there is a notarized consent from the other parent.

Family Reunification

A Latvian residence permit on this basis may be requested by:

• an adult child of a citizen;
• a relative up to the third degree of kinship (direct or collateral line) of a passport holder or permanent resident;
• a parent of a Latvian citizen or non-citizen.

Additional documents confirming family ties and sufficient financial means for residence must be provided.

The residence permit is valid from 6 to 12 months depending on the applicant’s category.

Investment

The country’s legislation does not provide a direct citizenship-by-investment program, so it is not possible to purchase a Latvian passport. However, foreign nationals who make capital investments may qualify for a residence permit through one of the following options:

• business investment (from 50,000 EUR, depending on the number of employees and the company’s annual turnover);
• government bonds (at least 250,000 EUR).

Additionally, a fee must be paid: 10,000 EUR for investment in a company and 38,000 EUR for the purchase of securities.

The residence permit is valid for up to 5 years. To obtain it, the applicant must also provide proof of sufficient financial means for living expenses and for making the investment.

Real Estate Purchase

Foreign nationals may obtain a residence permit for 5 years, with the possibility of renewal, by purchasing real estate worth at least 250,000 EUR. The cadastral value of the property must be at least 80,000 EUR. The application may include a spouse and minor children. The applicant must confirm sufficient financial means for living expenses of at least 1,500 EUR per month.

Additionally, to obtain a residence permit, the applicant must provide proof of payment for the transaction made via bank transfer, as well as a property valuation report.

Entrepreneurship

Starting a business grants a foreign national the right to apply for temporary residence status for up to 5 years. The applicant must demonstrate the viability of their business idea and the financial capacity to implement it, as well as confirm sufficient savings or income to reside in Latvia (from 2,554 EUR per month).

The required share capital depends on the type of company; for example, for a limited liability company, the minimum amount is 2,800 EUR. To obtain a residence permit, a bank statement and the company’s founding documents must be provided.

Scientific Activity

By signing a contract with Latvian research institutions, a foreign national may apply for temporary resident status. The residence permit is issued for the duration of employment but cannot exceed 5 years. The applicant must confirm the fact of scientific cooperation and sufficient financial means for the period of work (at least 500 EUR per month per person).

The applicant’s spouse and minor children may relocate together with the main applicant.

Refugee Status

Foreign nationals who cannot remain in their home country due to persecution based on race, religion, or nationality have the right to apply for asylum in Latvia. Refugee status allows an individual to obtain permanent residence for 5 years with the right to work.

Individuals who have left their country due to war or the threat of capital punishment may be granted an alternative status along with a one-year residence permit, which can be extended.

EU Citizenship

A citizen of the European Union has the right to freely live, work, run a business, and study in any member state, including Latvia. Applicants from outside the EU may also have the opportunity to obtain European citizenship through simplified programs. For detailed information on faster or alternative pathways to acquiring an EU passport, it is advisable to consult a migration specialist.

Required Documents

Depending on the chosen pathway to citizenship, the list of required documents may vary. However, in most cases, the basic set includes:

• a completed application form, which can be downloaded from the website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs;
• proof of eligibility for obtaining citizenship. For example, for naturalization applicants, this may include confirmation of 5 years of residence in the country as a permanent resident;
• proof of identity, including the original and a copy of a passport or ID card;
• a document confirming a legal source of income, such as an employment certificate, bank statement, or other relevant proof;
• a photograph (one copy, size 3 × 4 cm);
• a criminal record certificate issued no earlier than 6 months prior to the application date, obtained from the competent authority of the applicant’s country of citizenship;
• proof of payment of the state fee. This fee is required only for applicants undergoing naturalization and amounts to 28.46 EUR, or 4.27 EUR for certain categories (such as unemployed individuals, members of large families, persons with disabilities, and others).

All copies must be notarized. Documents issued in a language other than Latvian must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Refusal to Grant Citizenship

An application for citizenship may be rejected for the following reasons:

• posing a threat to the country’s independence, as well as national or public security;
• submission of incorrectly completed documents or false information intended to mislead the authorities;
• having a criminal record in Latvia or any other country for offenses classified as criminal;
• failure to meet the required periods of residence;
• support of extremist ideologies or incitement of national or racial hatred after 1990;
• having outstanding tax or other debts to Latvia;
• service in the armed forces of another country without the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers.

In the event of a refusal, it is recommended to consult legal specialists who can advise on how to properly appeal the decision or reapply with a stronger application.

Latvian Passport: Appearance and Types

After the Cabinet of Ministers has made a decision to grant citizenship, the applicant can proceed with obtaining new identity documents. Below is an overview of the types of passports issued in Latvia.

Citizen’s Passport

This document is mandatory for individuals who have reached the age of 15 (although it may be requested earlier upon application) and is used for travel outside the European Union. Since 2015, Latvia has issued new-format passports with enhanced anti-forgery protection and a burgundy-colored cover.

The holder’s name and surname are written in Latvian, and on the third page of the booklet, the historical form of the family name or the person’s name in another language using Latin transliteration may be indicated. Each Latvian passport has a unique number.

The validity period of the document is 5 years for applicants aged 5 to 20, and 10 years for those aged 20 and over.

Non-Citizen’s Passport of Latvia

This document grants a special legal status to individuals who were registered in the country as of July 1, 1992, or had resided in Latvia for at least 10 years prior to that date, and who do not hold any citizenship. Such passports are most commonly held by long-term residents from non-EU backgrounds who settled in the country during earlier migration periods.

The document differs from the standard citizen’s passport mainly in the color of its cover (blue instead of burgundy) and is used for travel outside the country. The passport is valid for 10 years and can be renewed thereafter.

ID Card

An ID card is issued to all individuals registered in the Population Register. Citizens can use this document not only for identification within the country but also for travel within the European Union.

The ID card is issued for a period of 2, 5, or 10 years depending on the applicant’s age and is presented in the form of a plastic card.

Procedure for Obtaining a Latvian Passport

The process of obtaining a passport and an ID card includes the following stages:

Second Citizenship of Latvia

The concept of «second citizenship» implies that an individual may obtain a passport of another country without renouncing their original one, while each state recognizes the person only as its own citizen. Dual citizenship, in contrast, is granted when there are specific agreements between countries, allowing both states to officially recognize the individual’s status.

In Latvia, dual citizenship is available to applicants from EU and NATO member states, as well as from Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. If a Latvian citizen applies for citizenship of a country outside this list, renunciation of Latvian citizenship is mandatory.

For applicants from non-EU countries, the possibility of holding two passports at the same time is generally limited and may be available only under specific procedures such as repatriation. In most cases, obtaining Latvian citizenship through naturalization requires renouncing the applicant’s previous citizenship.

Latvian citizens can travel within the EU using an ID card, while non-citizens must present a passport when traveling outside the country.

Assistance with the Application Process

The process of obtaining second citizenship involves many complexities that can make the procedure more challenging if handled independently. To minimize risks and increase the chances of approval, applicants may seek support from migration specialists.

The step-by-step involvement of legal professionals typically includes:

• selecting the most suitable pathway and legal grounds for obtaining citizenship;
• assistance in collecting and properly preparing all required documents;
• providing unlimited consultations throughout the process;
• full support of the applicant during the submission of the application;
• assistance in obtaining internal documents after citizenship is granted.

Foreign nationals who have obtained Latvian citizenship note that the greatest amount of time and effort is spent on passing the test and preparing the application dossier. These stages require maximum responsibility and attention, as any mistakes in completing the documents may lead to refusal.