What the Latvia Golden Visa is
The Latvia Golden Visa — formally the Latvian Residence Permit for Investors — grants non-EU nationals a five-year residence permit in exchange for a qualifying investment. Latvia has run this program since 2010, administered by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA). The permit is issued as a physical residence card renewed annually.
Who this is right for
- Investors who want Schengen access and EU residency without immediate citizenship plans — Latvia delivers this at the lowest EU entry cost available
- Business owners who can genuinely operate a Latvian company generating €40,000+ annually in tax contributions
- Families seeking EU residency for education or lifestyle — no minimum stay required, full family inclusion
- Nationals of EU/NATO member states, Australia, Brazil, or New Zealand who can pursue Latvian citizenship without losing their existing passport
Who should look elsewhere
- Turkish citizens whose primary goal is a European passport — Latvia's citizenship requires renouncing Turkish citizenship; Portugal and Greece preserve dual nationality
- Anyone unwilling or unable to learn Latvian — A2 proficiency is required for permanent residency, and Latvian is one of Europe's most complex languages for non-European speakers
- Investors treating the €50,000 company route as a passive investment — the company must pay at least €40,000/year in Latvian taxes; this is an active business requirement, not a parking mechanism
- Anyone planning to spend most of their time at home — the path to permanent residency requires four years of physical presence; entering without understanding this creates incomplete outcomes
Four investment routes — and what each actually requires
| Route | Min. investment | State fee | Active requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company equity | €50,000 | €10,000 | Company must pay €40,000+/year in Latvian taxes |
| Real estate (Riga only, from 2026) | €250,000 | 5% of price | None; passive. Income req: €1,500/month |
| Government bonds | €250,000 | €38,000 | None; 5-year hold. Capital returned at maturity. |
| Bank deposit | €280,000 | — | None; 5-year hold. Income req: ~€500/month |
Company equity route — €50,000
The headline route. An investor places €50,000 into the share capital of a Latvian company with fewer than 50 employees, plus a one-time state fee of €10,000. The part most guides skip: the Latvian company must pay a minimum of €40,000 per year in taxes to maintain the investor's eligibility. This is not a passive investment — it requires an active, revenue-generating business operating in Latvia.
Real estate route — €250,000 (Riga only from 2026)
Investors purchase residential or commercial real estate worth at least €250,000, plus a state fee of 5% of the property price. From 2026, the property must be located in Riga or within 30 kilometres of the city — other locations no longer qualify. Commercial real estate anywhere in Latvia requires €500,000.
Government bonds — €250,000
Interest-free bonds held for five years minimum, plus a €38,000 government fee. Capital returned at maturity. The fee is not returned. Simplest passive route with the cleanest structure.
What Latvia residency actually gives you
- Schengen access — visa-free entry to all 27 Schengen countries, up to 90 days per 180-day period outside Latvia
- No minimum stay requirement — investors are not required to spend a minimum number of days in Latvia; an annual visit to confirm ongoing investment is required
- Five-year permit — valid for five years; the physical ID card requires annual renewal but the underlying permit runs the full term
- Full family inclusion — spouse, children under 18, financially dependent adult children, and financially dependent parents
- Work and study rights — permit holders can work and study in Latvia without separate authorisation
Income requirements
| Applicant | Monthly income required |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (standard routes) | ~€750/month |
| Main applicant (real estate route) | €1,500/month |
| Each minor dependent | ~€150/month |
What's changing in 2026
Already in effect
- Riga-only real estate — the real estate route is now restricted to Riga and a 30km radius; regional property purchases no longer qualify
- Stricter permanent residency documentation — entrepreneurs seeking permanent residency must now provide a business plan in Latvian or English, financial forecasts for 24 months, and proof of €14,000 in startup capital in a Latvian bank
- Spouse language requirement — spouses applying for permanent residency must now demonstrate Latvian language proficiency at A1 level
Pending — not yet in force
Latvia's parliament is considering reducing the company equity route permit validity from five years to two years. Timing is uncertain but could take effect by mid-to-late 2026.
Application process
Choose your investment route
Based on budget, activity level, and goals. Company equity for active business builders; real estate or bonds for passive investors.
Make the qualifying investment
Property purchase, company formation, or bank/bond deposit — depending on your chosen route.
Gather documentation
Passport, criminal record certificate, financial self-sufficiency evidence, investment confirmation documents.
Submit application to OCMA
Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs processes all applications.
Attend appointment in Latvia
Biometric data collection and identity verification — one in-person visit required.
Receive residence permit
Typically 2–3 months from complete application submission.
The path to permanent residency and citizenship
Permanent residency — after 5 years
After five years on an investor residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency. Requirements:
- Physical presence — four out of five years must be spent in Latvia, with at least 183 days per year; absences cannot exceed six consecutive months or 12 months total
- Language test — A2 Latvian language proficiency, tested by official examination
- From 2026 — additional business plan and financial documentation for entrepreneurs
Citizenship — after 10 years
Latvian citizenship is available after 10 years of qualifying residency (five temporary, five permanent). Requirements include continued physical residency, full conversational Latvian, a Latvian history and constitutional knowledge test including the national anthem, and — critically — renunciation of prior citizenship.
Latvia vs. the other remaining EU Golden Visa programs
Spain closed in April 2025. Portugal requires €500,000 for fund investment. Greece starts at €400,000 for regional properties and €800,000 in Athens. That leaves Latvia, Malta, Hungary, and a handful of smaller programs as the remaining EU investor residency routes.
| Program | Min. investment | Dual citizenship | Language for citizenship | Citizenship timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | €50,000 (company) | Limited — not Turkey | Required (Latvian, complex) | 10 years |
| Greece | €250,000 (regional RE) | Yes | Required (Greek) | 7 years |
| Portugal | €500,000 (fund) | Yes | Required (Portuguese) | 5 years |
| Malta | €150,000+ (donation) | Yes | No exam | 3 years (with conditions) |
Decision framework
- Choose Latvia if minimum entry cost is the priority and Schengen access is the goal, not a European passport
- Choose Portugal if you want the most established EU residency path with dual citizenship and a 5-year citizenship timeline
- Choose Greece if you want EU residency with dual citizenship at a lower investment than Portugal
- Choose Malta if fastest citizenship timeline with no language exam is the priority
Frequently asked questions
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