Latvia Golden Visa

​Frequently asked questions

• Who can apply for the Latvia Golden visa?

  Investors must meet the following Latvia Golden Visa requirements:

  • be over 18;

  • come from non-EU, non-EEA country, or Switzerland;

  • have no criminal record;

  • be in good health and have a medical certificate;

  • have at least €8,880 in their bank account.

• Is getting a Latvian Golden Visa really worth it?

  The Latvian Golden Visa can be a cost-effective gateway to Europe, especially for business or mobility purposes. It offers an affordable path to EU residency, starting from €50 000 into a Latvian company. 

  Benefits include visa-free Schengen travel, access to EU healthcare, education, and social services. Golden Visa holders can also apply for Latvian permanent residence and citizenship.

• Can I get Latvia citizenship by investment?

  Latvia does not offer immediate citizenship by investment. Instead, applicants must follow these steps:

  1. Obtain temporary residence, such as through Golden Visa.

  2. After 5 years, apply for permanent residency.

  3. After 10 years of total residence, apply for Latvian citizenship.

  Latvia does not recognise dual citizenship so one would need to renounce their other nationality. However, EU and EFTA member states, NATO countries, Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand are the exception.

• Can I get residency in Latvia if I buy a house?

  Yes, you can get a Latvia investment residence by purchasing a house worth at least €250,000. The property must be:

  • already built;

  • located in Riga or within 30 kilometres from Riga.

• How much do I need to invest to get a Latvia Golden Visa?

  The minimum investment depends on the chosen option:

  • invest in equity — €50,000+;

  • buy real estate — €250,000+;

  • bank deposit — €280,000+.

• What’s the full cost of the Latvia Golden Visa, including the investment, fees, and any extra donations?

  The Latvia Golden Visa cost depends on the chosen option. Those who invest in businesses can expect to pay €61,340 if applying as single applicants. For the real estate option, the total cost is €269,840, and for the bank deposit option, it is €311,340.

• How long must I hold the investment, and can I recover my funds after that period?

  The minimum holding period under the Latvia Golden Visa program is 5 years. 

  You must maintain the investment for as long as you wish to hold your residence permit. If you decide not to renew your residency or apply for permanent residence, you can sell your real estate or recover funds invested in a business or deposited in a bank.

• How do you apply for the Latvia Golden Visa, and how long does it usually take?

  The process takes at least 3—4 months, depending on the chosen option, and includes the following steps:

  1. Preliminary Due Diligence — 1 day.

  2. Choosing a property for purchase — 1+ weeks.

  3. Preparation of documents – 2 to 3  weeks.

  4. Fulfilment of investment — 2+ months.

  5. Application submission — 1+ months.

  6. Obtaining visa D — up to 1 month.

  7. Biometric submission and receiving residence cards — within 1 to 3 months of obtaining the D Visa.

• Can I handle the application from abroad, or do I need to travel to Latvia or hire a local lawyer?

  Most of the process can be handled from abroad, often via an agent such as Immigrant Invest. In-person visits are required to submit biometrics, undergo medical examination, and collect residence permit cards once issued.

• Can I include my spouse and children in the Golden Visa application, and are there extra costs?

  Spouses and dependent children under 18 can be included.

  Additional subsistence funds required are €8,880 for a spouse and €2,664 per child. No extra investment in the company or property is necessary.

• What rights will me and my family have if we get residency in Latvia?

  As residents, you and your family can:

  • live, work, and study anywhere in Latvia;

  • travel to the Schengen Area without visas;

  • access public education and healthcare;

  • apply for permanent residence after 5 years and for citizenship after 10 years.

• How likely is it that my application for the Latvia Golden Visa will be approved?

  The Latvia residence by investment program is well‑structured with clear criteria and no quotas. As long as your investment meets requirements, your documentation is complete, and background checks are clean, approval is generally high.

  Working with an experienced agent, like Immigrant Invest, helps to reduce the risk of application refusal down to 1%.

• Do I have to pay any additional fees or donations on top of the investment?

  In addition to the investment, the following fees apply:

  • state fee — €10,000+;

  • residence permit processing fee — €160+ per person;

  • document certifications and translations — €1,000+;

  • Schengen visa fee or visa D fee — €90 per person;

  • lung X-RAY — €45+ per person;

  • biometry fingerprints fee — €45 to 80 per person.

  Property buyers must also pay a notary fee of approximately 2% and an escrow account opening fee of €1,000. Those who choose the bank deposit option pay a €4,000 fee for opening a bank account.