Latvia Citizenship: All Legal Paths to Become a Citizen in 2026

The issuance of Latvian citizenship is regulated by the Citizenship Law of 1994. The most common ways of obtaining Latvia citizenship include:

• descent;
• naturalisation;
• marriage.

Individuals who want to apply for Latvia citizenship can be naturalised in 10 years of residing in the country. Living legally in Latvia is possible with a residence permit, receiving through work, study, marriage, or investment.

There is no direct way to get a Latvian passport by investment, unlike in the Caribbean, Vanuatu, Türkiye, Naoero, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

However, wealthy foreigners can buy real estate in Latvia and apply for residence permits under a special government programme.

During 2015—2023, 165,019 persons were naturalised in Latvia. As from January 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2023, the country has received 1,280 applications for the admission of Latvian citizenship by naturalisation.

Statistics on obtaining Latvian citizenship by ethnicity:

• Russians — 59.7%;
• Belarussians — 11.7%;
• Ukrainians — 9.8%;
• Poles — 3.5%;
• Lithuanians and Estonians — 2.4%;
• Others — 10.6%.

Latvia does not have a specific citizenship by investment programme, such as some other countries in Europe, America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

However, individuals can obtain a Latvian residence permit by investment and later apply for permanent status and a passport.

Investors currently qualify through investment in a Latvian company. The minimum is €50,000 for a business with up to 50 employees and annual turnover or a balance-sheet total of no more than €10 million, or €100,000 for a larger company.

Previously, investors could also qualify through real estate purchases and bank deposits. These options were removed for new applicants from September 15th, 2026. A new €150,000 fund investment route has been introduced but is not yet open for applications.

Applicants for a Latvian residence permit by investment do not need to take an exam on their knowledge of the Latvian language or permanently live in the country. These conditions will need to be met if the investor wants to obtain permanent residence or Latvian citizenship.

To qualify for a permanent residence permit, the applicant must have resided in the country for 4 years out of the 5-year period and should have successfully passed the basic Latvian language test at the A2 level. The applicant must also have a proven knowledge of the general history of Latvia and the national anthem.

A child born in Latvia until December 31st, 2019, is recognised as a Latvian citizen if they comply with the following conditions:

• born in Latvia after August 21st, 1991;
• has permanent residence in Latvia;
• has previously been stateless or a non-citizen;
• their parents are stateless persons or non-citizens all the time;
• the permanent place of residence of the parent with whom the child has been in Latvia for at least the last 5 years.

From January 1st, 2020, children born in Latvia receive Latvian citizenship or citizenship of another country if both parents agree on that other citizenship. 

Children born in Latvia or abroad after January 1st, 2020, can acquire Latvian citizenship if at the time of their birth:

• both parents are non-citizens or one of the parents is a non-citizen, but the other is a stateless or unknown person. The child child will obtain Latvian citizenship concurrently with the registration of their birth by the Civil Registry Office;
• one of the parents is a non-citizen, and the other is a citizen of another country.

The required documents to get citizenship by descent in Latvia are:

1. Application form.
2. Passport or identity card of the parents.
3. Document confirming the permanent residence of the child in Latvia.
4. Document confirming permanent residence of the parent in Latvia during the last 5 years.

If one of the parents is a non-citizen, the required documents include a submission form, a parent’s passport or identity card, and a birth certificate.

Children aged 15 to 18 should submit the documents by themselves.

Individuals can apply for Latvian citizenship by naturalisation from the age of 15 if they:

• live permanently in Latvia for the past 5 years and can prove it documentary;
• know Latvian;
• know the text of the National Anthem, the basics of the history and culture of Latvia, and the basic principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia;
• have a legal source of income.

For the citizens of the EU, countries of the European Economic Area and Swiss Confederation, it is suitable to have a permanent residence permit of a citizen of the EU for 5 years.

The required documents to obtain Latvia citizenship by naturalisation are the following:

1. Application for naturalisation.
2. Passport or identity card.
3. Documents confirming the residence in Latvia during the last 5 years — for example, statements from employers on employment or education institutions.
4. Statement from the place of work, pensioner’s certificate, statement from the State Social Insurance Agency regarding receipt of the benefits, or statement from the bank about sufficient account balance.
5. 1 photograph 3 × 4 cm.
6. Paid state fee of €28.46.
7. Clean criminal record.

Obtaining Latvian citizenship through marriage follows a naturalisation process. After marriage, foreign spouses apply for a residence permit in Latvia. Then, after 5 years, they apply for permanent residence and can claim citizenship after another 5 years. 

Marriages in Latvia are only permitted between a couple of the opposite sex. Both persons must be over 18.

A marriage in Latvia may be registered by:

• official of the registry office on the premises of the registry office;
• priest in the church of the confession to which at least one of the spouses belongs.

The couple has to submit an application, which they both have signed and present their passports or personal ID cards to a registry office or the priest.

Within 2 months after submitting the application for naturalisation, the person passes a Latvian language proficiency test and proves knowledge of the basics of the Constitution, the text of the National Anthem, and the basics of Latvian history and culture. 

The tests can be taken in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, and Ventspils.

Latvian language proficiency test. The necessary level of language skills: 

• to be able to understand the heard texts on everyday topics; 
• to read and understand texts on various topics; 
• to be able to write simple texts; 
• to talk about everyday topics.

Suppose any of the Latvian language proficiency criteria are not met. In that case, the test may be retaken after a minimum of 3 months, focusing solely on the skill that was not previously passed. Should the test still not be completed, it can be retaken after a month.

Testing of the other knowledge. In the oral exam, candidates are required to respond to one question regarding the Constitution and another concerning the history and culture of Latvia.

In the written assessment, candidates must complete a test comprising 18 questions: 10 relating to the history and culture of Latvia and 8 concerning the Constitution. Additionally, in both types of tests, individuals are expected to write out or recite the National Anthem.

Dual citizenship is allowed by Latvian citizenship law for individuals from some categories of citizens:

• another EU member state or an EFTA member state;
• another NATO member state;
• Australia, Brazil or New Zealand;
• country not mentioned above, if due to important national interests, permission from the Government of Latvia is received to retain dual citizenship;
• country not mentioned above if it has been acquired automatically, through marriage or as a result of adoption.

Individuals who are Latvian citizens by descent may be allowed to hold dual citizenship in any country.

Latvian citizenship brings both EU-wide rights and practical advantages at home, from easier mobility and employment to stronger property rights and access to public benefits.

1. EU citizenship

Latvia is a member state of the EU, and Latvian citizens enjoy the rights and privileges of EU citizenship. This includes the ability to live, work, study, and travel freely within the EU and European Economic Area.

2. Visa-free travel

Global mobility is especially advantageous for business travel, tourism, and family visits. Latvian citizens can travel visa-free or with simplified visa procedures to 185 countries around the world.

3. Social benefits

Latvian citizens are entitled to various social benefits provided by the government, including healthcare, education, and social assistance programs.

4. Employment opportunities

Latvian citizenship allows individuals to work freely in Latvia without a work permit. Additionally, it may enhance employment opportunities within the EU, as some employers may prefer to hire EU citizens.

5. Broader property ownership rights

Latvian citizens can acquire land and real estate without the nationality-based restrictions that may apply to foreign residents, including certain categories of agricultural, forest, and protected land.

6. Cultural identity

For individuals with ties to Latvia, obtaining Latvian citizenship can provide a sense of cultural belonging and identity. Latvia celebrates a variety of festivals and holidays throughout the year, including Midsummer's Eve, Christmas, Easter, and Līgo, a midsummer festival with roots in pagan traditions. These festivals often involve music, dancing, traditional foods, and community gatherings.

7. Security and stability

Citizenship provides a sense of security and stability, as the laws and institutions of Latvia protect citizens. Latvia has experienced a decrease in crime rates over the past decade. According to statistics from the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau, crime rates have been declining in recent years.

The five Caribbean countries — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia — grant citizenship to investors from the outset, without language tests, exams, or lengthy integration requirements. This makes them some of the most established and straightforward citizenship by investment options worldwide.

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment starts at $90,000 through a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. For a family of up to 4, the minimum contribution is $95,000, with an additional $5,000 required for each extra dependant.

You can add a spouse, unmarried children up to 30, and parents and grandparents over 55 to the application. Adult children, parents, and grandparents must be financially dependent on the main applicant.

The citizenship obtaining period is 2+ months. Applicants are not required to visit or reside in São Tomé and Príncipe during the process.

St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment starts at $250,000 for a single applicant through a non-refundable contribution. The Public Benefit Option has the same minimum threshold and directs investment into approved projects that support national development. Applicants who prefer a property-based route can invest in approved real estate from $325,000.

A citizenship application can include the investor’s spouse, children under 25, and parents over 55 of the investor or the spouse. Adult family members must financially depend on the main applicant. 

The citizenship obtaining period is 4+ months.

Grenada

Grenada citizenship by investment starts at $235,000 non-refundable contribution. For real estate, the minimum investment is $270,000 if at least two applicants invest in a government-approved tourism project. In other cases, the threshold starts at $350,000.

Your application can include your spouse, children under 30, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings over 18, with the condition that adult family members are financially reliant on the main applicant. 

The passport obtaining period is 8+ months. 

St Lucia

St Lucia citizenship by investment provide the broadest choice of investment options:

• fund contribution — $240,000+;
• infrastructure projects — $250,000+;
• government bonds — $300,000+;
• real estate — $300,000+;
• business investment — $1,000,000+ per applicant within a joint investment of at least $6 million, or $3.5 million for a sole investment.

You can add into your application a spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and unmarried siblings under 18, provided they have parental consent. 

The passport obtaining period is 6+ months.

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment offers four options:

• non-refundable contribution — $230,000+;
• real estate purchase — $300,000+;
• higher-education donation — $260,000+ for families of 6 or more;
• business investment — $400,000+ per applicant within a joint investment of at least $5 million, or $1.5 million for a sole investment.

You can add a spouse, children under 31, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings into your application. Financial dependency of adult family members is mandatory. 

The passport obtaining period is 6+ months.

Dominica

Dominica citizenship by investment has the lowest entry threshold among the Caribbean programmes, starting at $200,000. The same minimum applies to both the non-refundable contribution and approved real estate options.

You can add to your application a spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 65 if they are financially dependent on you. 

The passport obtaining period is 6+ months.

1. Latvia offers pathways for individuals seeking to obtain Latvian citizenship, including by descent, naturalisation, marriage, and investment. 
2. The Latvian nationality law underwent significant changes in 2020, granting citizenship to children born in Latvia. 
3. While there is no direct citizenship by investment programme in Latvia, investors can obtain residence permits by investing in business or funds. 
4. After residing in Latvia for 5 years, individuals can apply for permanent residence and eventually citizenship, subject to meeting specific eligibility criteria and passing relevant tests. 
5. Latvia's citizenship provides numerous benefits, including EU membership, global mobility, social benefits, and employment opportunities. 
6. Dual citizenship is allowed under certain circumstances. For example, individuals who are Latvian citizens by descent may be allowed to hold dual citizenship in any country.
7. Acquiring Latvia citizenship takes a long time. Investors seeking second citizenship can find alternative pathways in the Caribbean and other countries.