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Available to non-EU nationals for employment, study, family reunification, or self-employment. Requires a specific qualifying reason; must be applied for at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Requires a minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in Latvian real estate or EUR 50,000 in a Latvian company with at least 50 employees. Grants a 5-year renewable residency permit.
Available to non-EU nationals after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Latvia. Requires basic Latvian language proficiency, knowledge of the national anthem and constitution, and a stable income.
EU and EEA citizens (and their family members) have the right to live and work in Latvia without any permit. Registration with local authorities is required after 3 months; leads automatically to permanent residence after 5 years.
Latvia is an EU and Schengen member state, meaning EU/EEA citizens enjoy freedom of movement and can live and work without a visa. Non-EU citizens from Schengen partner countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, while longer stays require a residence permit. Latvia participates in all EU immigration and asylum frameworks.
EU/EEA citizens do not require a work permit to work in Latvia and need only register their residence if staying longer than three months. Non-EU nationals must obtain a temporary residence permit with work rights, sponsored by a Latvian employer registered with the State Employment Agency. The permit process takes approximately 30 days and requires proof of a formal employment contract and relevant qualifications.
EU citizens' family members, regardless of nationality, can join them in Latvia under EU family reunification rules and receive residence permits with full work rights. Non-EU temporary residents can sponsor family members for dependent residence permits valid for the same period as the sponsor's permit.
Latvia applies a progressive personal income tax with rates of 20%, 23%, and 31% depending on income level. Corporate income tax is applied only on distributed profits at a rate of 20%, incentivizing business reinvestment. VAT is set at 21%, and Latvia has an extensive network of double taxation treaties with over 60 countries.
Latvia operates a state-funded healthcare system available to registered residents, though it suffers from underfunding and long waiting times in public facilities. Expatriates with employment contracts contribute to the system but are advised to maintain supplemental private health insurance for faster access to specialists and private clinics.
Latvia's banking sector underwent significant restructuring in 2018 following anti-money-laundering actions, resulting in stricter compliance requirements for account opening. Major banks including Swedbank, SEB, Luminor, and Citadele operate in Latvia; non-EU nationals may face enhanced due diligence and should prepare thorough source-of-funds documentation.
Latvia offers a residence permit for investors contributing at least EUR 50,000 to a qualifying Latvian company, or EUR 250,000 in real estate investment in Riga, or EUR 1 million in subordinated capital to a licensed credit institution. The program was tightened in recent years following EU scrutiny, and real estate investment pathways are now more restricted. Investor permits are valid for five years and renewable.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Investment Permit | — | No | No |
| Real Estate Investment Permit | — | No | No |