The Latvia Golden Visa remains the cheapest residency-by-investment program in the European Union, with investment options starting from €50,000 plus government fees. Following the 1 September 2026 Immigration Law reform, the previous real estate, government bond, and bank deposit routes have been abolished.
The remaining company investment route starts at €50,000, while a new €150,000 AIFM investment route has also been introduced. The program also stands out for fast processing times, no minimum stay requirement, and access to the Schengen Area. The Latvian Golden Visa scheme continues to attract entrepreneurs, families, and investors looking for a flexible “Plan B” residency option in Europe.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Latvia Golden Visa in 2026, including investment options, processing times, residency requirements, tax considerations, the 2026 reforms, and more.
Latvia Golden Visa 2026 Key Facts and Updates
Latest September 2026 Latvia Golden Visa News and Updates
The real estate, government bond, and bank deposit investment routes will be abolished from 15 September 2026. The only remaining investment-based route is investment in the share capital of a Latvian company, requiring €50,000 or €100,000, depending on the company’s size. Residence permits issued through this route are now valid for two years at a time, down from five years, and can be renewed every two years.
A new route has also been introduced, requiring a €150,000 investment in a state-established Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). The investment must be maintained for at least five years and grants a residence permit valid for up to five years.
Several implementation details are still pending further Cabinet of Ministers regulations.
Latvia Golden Visa Program
Introduced on 1 July 2010 to support Latvia’s economic recovery following the global financial crisis, the Latvia Golden Visa, officially known as the Latvia Investor Visa, grants non-EU nationals a renewable five-year temporary residence permit. Global investors heavily choose this program because it serves as Europe’s most affordable entry point, with a minimum investment requirement of €50,000 in a Latvian business, plus a €10,000 state fee, and offers immediate, visa-free freedom of travel across the 29 countries of the Schengen Zone, with zero physical relocation mandates.
To protect the integrity of the program, Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) applies a strict due diligence process. Applicants have to demonstrate a clean criminal record, verify the legal source of their investment funds, and satisfy all eligibility criteria set out under Latvian immigration law.
What Happens to Existing Permits and Pending Applications?
•Permits already issued. Temporary residence permits issued before 15 September remain valid until their registration deadline or, if no registration deadline is set, until their validity deadline.
• Property and bank-route continuation. Holders under former routes, together with family members, may apply on the same basis for a repeated permit of up to five years
8 Key Latvian Golden Visa Benefits
- One of Europe’s most affordable residency by investment programs: Secure European residency from just €50,000 through the business investment route, making Latvia one of the lowest-cost entry points into the European Union.
- A flexible European Plan B with no relocation requirement: Maintain your Latvian residency without relocating or meeting a minimum stay requirement, giving you the flexibility to activate your European Plan B whenever your circumstances change.
- Freedom of travel across Europe’s Schengen Area: Travel visa-free throughout the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, meaning business, leisure, and family travel across Europe is simple.
- Fast processing and a straightforward application process: Latvia remains one of Europe’s fastest residency by investment programs, with most applications processed within one to three months, subject to successful due diligence.
- Residency for the whole family: Extend residency to your spouse, dependent children under 18, and dependent parents who are medically dependent on the investor, under a single application, providing long-term security and greater mobility for your family.
- Business-friendly corporate tax system: Investors using the business investment route can benefit from 0% corporate tax on retained and reinvested profits, with a 20% tax only payable when profits are distributed as dividends.
- Security backed by strict due diligence: Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) applies comprehensive due diligence and source of funds checks, helping preserve the integrity and reputation of the program.
Is the Latvia Golden Visa Worth it?
For high-net-worth investors managing a global portfolio, assessing whether the Latvia Golden Visa is worth it in 2026 requires looking beyond the aspects like the investment option and analysing real-time regulatory changes.
Following the new Immigration Law signed on 1 September 2026, the program has just undergone its biggest transformation in a decade.
According to our product strategy manager, Jelena Sivcev, the Latvia Golden Visa is particularly valuable as part of a broader global mobility strategy rather than a standalone solution. Many internationally mobile families combine Latvian residency with a citizenship program to create both immediate visa-free travel through a second passport and long-term access to Europe through residency.
Furthermore, Latvia’s Golden Visa program is seeing renewed investor interest, with applications increasing by 51% in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), Latvia issued 206 residence permits through the Golden Visa program in 2025, including 88 principal investors and 118 family members.
Updated Latvian Golden Visa Investment Options and Costs in 2026
Following the 1 September 2026 Immigration Law reform, the Latvian company share capital route is now the only existing investment-based route to the Latvian Golden Visa. It is available under two options:
Option A: Small business: €50,000
Invest €50,000 in a company with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of less than €10 million. In addition to the required investment, investors must pay a one-time €10,000 state fee to the government once the application is approved including paying at least €40,000 in taxes each year.
Option B: Large business: €100,000
Invest €100,000 in a company that, either independently or together with its Latvian subsidiaries, employs more than 50 people and has an annual turnover or balance sheet total of more than €10 million. To keep the residence permit, the company, or the group of Latvian subsidiaries collectively, must pay at least €100,000 in taxes each year including a one-time €10,000 state fee to the government once the application is approved.
New route: Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) — €150,000
Introduced by the 1 September 2026 Immigration Law, this route requires:
- A minimum investment of €150,000 in a State-established Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM)
- The investment must be maintained for at least five years
- A one-time €10,000 payment to the state budget
In return, investors receive a residence permit valid for up to five years, provided the fund manager confirms that the investment agreement remains active and the invested amount stays at €150,000 or more throughout the permit period.
Further regulations are expected to clarify how this route will work in practice.
Residence permit validity
Under both options, residence permits are now issued for two years initially and can be renewed every two years. A €2,000 payment to the state budget may be required when renewing the permit after six years, although this is still subject to further clarification.
Latvia Golden Visa Requirements 2026
To qualify for the Latvia Golden Visa, applicants must meet the Latvia Golden Visa investment requirements and maintain their investment for at least five years
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Applicants must be non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss nationals
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record
- Applicants must be in good health
- Applicants must have no outstanding tax liabilities worldwide to qualify for the program
- Applicants must show proof of enough financial resources to sustain them and their family in the country.
- Applicants must hold the investment for a minimum of five years.
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage for at least one year for the applicant and any dependents.
Important to note: These are the general Latvia Golden Visa requirements. Each applicant should review their individual circumstances and consult with an immigration specialist. Global Citizen Solutions works alongside the top Latvia Golden Visa lawyers. As a trusted Latvia immigration specialist, GCS can help in understanding your specific circumstances and goals.
Who can be included in a Latvia Golden Visa Application?
Eligible dependents under the Latvia Golden Visa
The following family members can be included as dependents:
- Spouse: Your legally married partner
- Children under 18: Biological or legally adopted children below the age of 18
- Persons under trusteeship: Individuals legally under the care or guardianship of the main applicant
Total ban: Russian and Belarusian nationals are ineligible to apply for the Latvia Golden Visa under the standard investment routes due to national security measures introduced in response to regional geopolitical developments. Exceptions are limited to cases involving humanitarian grounds or Latvia’s international legal obligations.
How to Apply for the Latvia Golden Visa 2026
Navigating a residency by investment application requires careful planning and compliance with Latvian immigration law. As experienced investment migration specialists, Global Citizen Solutions guides you through every stage of the process, helping you prepare a complete application, meet the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) requirements, and minimize unnecessary delays.
Step 1: Initial consultation and eligibility assessment
Our team of specialists assesses your eligibility, investment goals, and supporting documentation. We also carry out preliminary due diligence to identify any potential issues before your application begins.
Step 2: Select and complete your investment
Our team helps you choose the investment option that best suits your objectives and coordinates the investment process while ensuring all legal requirements are met.
Step 3: Document preparation and legalization
We provide a personalized document checklist and coordinate certified translations, Apostilles, and any required legalizations to ensure your application complies with Latvian immigration requirements.
Step 4: Application preparation and submission
Global Citizen Solutions prepares your complete application and submits it to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) or the appropriate Latvian Eembassy or Latvian Consulate on your behalf.
Step 5: Application processing and approval
The OCMA reviews your application and conducts due diligence checks. Throughout the process, we monitor your application, communicate with the authorities when required, and keep you informed until a decision is reached.
Step 6: Biometric appointment and residence permit collection
Once your application is approved, we coordinate your biometric appointment in Latvia and assist with the collection of your temporary residence permit.
Step 7: Ongoing compliance and renewal support
Our support continues after approval. We help you meet the program’s ongoing compliance requirements, assist with residence permit renewals, and provide guidance if you later decide to apply for permanent residency or Latvian citizenship.
Latvia Golden Golden Statistics 2025
In 2025, Latvia issued 88 Golden Visa permits to principal applicants and 118 permits to accompanying family members, bringing the total number of residence permits granted through the program to 206. Company equity and real estate were by far the most popular investment routes, together accounting for more than 94% of all Golden Visa applications in 2025. However, after the September 2026 immigration law update, the real estate option has now been abolished.
| Investment Route | Principal Applicants | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Company Equity Investment | 42 | 47.7% |
| Real Estate Investment | 41 | 46.6% |
| Bank Deposit | 3 | 3.4% |
| Government Bonds | 2 | 2.3% |
| Total | 88 | 100% |
Latvia Golden Visa applications by nationality
According to OCMA data, Turkish nationals were the largest group of Latvia Golden Visa applicants in 2025. Demand for the program increased significantly during the year, with much of the interest driven by the €50,000 business investment route.
| Nationality | Share of Applicants |
|---|---|
| Turkey | 20% |
| Vietnam | 11% |
| United Kingdom | 9% |
| India | 9% |
| China | 7% |
| United States | 4.5% |
| Azerbaijan | 4.5% |
| Dominica | 4.5% |
| Pakistan | 4.5% |
| Uzbekistan | 4.5% |
| Other Nationalities | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Latvia Golden Visa Processing Time in 2026
The Latvia Golden Visa application process usually takes around two to four months from the time the application is submitted until the residence permit is issued. Applications completed remotely can take up to six months, while in-person applications may be processed in as little as 60 days.
Although much of the process can be handled remotely, applicants must travel to Latvia after receiving the Visa D to complete biometrics and finalize their residency permit.
What happens after the five-year holding period for Latvian Golden Visa holders?
After five years, Latvia Golden Visa holders can renew their residence permit if they want to maintain their status and keep their investment. Applicants who have physically lived in Latvia for at least four of those five years can also qualify for permanent residence. For those aiming to obtain a Latvian passport, the next step is to secure permanent residency after five years, continue living in Latvia for another five years, and then apply for citizenship by meeting the country’s language and integration requirements.
Tax Implications for Investors under the Latvia Golden Visa
Latvia has one of the world’s most competitive tax systems, ranking second on the International Tax Competitiveness Index 2025. However, holding a residence permit does not automatically make you a Latvian tax resident. If you spend fewer than 183 days per year in Latvia, you are taxed only on Latvian-sourced income, while your foreign income remains outside the Latvian tax net.
| Tax Implication | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Annual Tax (€50,000 route) | €40,000/year | Companies using the €50,000 investment route must pay at least €40,000 in annual taxes to maintain eligibility. |
| Minimum Annual Tax (€100,000 route) | €100,000/year | Companies using the €100,000 investment route must pay at least €100,000 in annual taxes, met individually or collectively with Latvian subsidiaries, to maintain eligibility. |
| AIFM Investment (€150,000) — State Fee | €10,000 one-time | Payable to the state budget upon approval of the residence permit. |
Citizenship through the Latvia Golden Visa: Full Timeline
Yes, it is possible to get Latvian citizenship through the Golden Visa program, but the process is not direct. Latvia does not offer instant citizenship through investment. Instead, the Golden Visa serves as the first step in a longer pathway to naturalization, which usually takes about 10 years.
Does Latvia allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Latvia allows dual citizenship, but only with certain approved countries or under specific legal exceptions. Under the Latvian Citizenship Law, dual nationality is permitted if your other citizenship is from:
- An EU or EFTA country (such as Germany, France, Norway, or Switzerland)
- A NATO member state (such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Turkey)
- Approved partner countries, including Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand
If your original citizenship is from a country outside these approved groups, you are generally required to renounce it within 30 days of obtaining Latvian citizenship.
Key Exceptions
- Citizenship by Descent: Descendants of Latvian exiles who fled during historical occupations, as well as ethnic Livs, can hold dual citizenship with any country.
- Children: Children can hold dual citizenship with any nationality. However, if the second citizenship is from a non-approved country, they will be required to choose one citizenship by age 25.
- Marriage or Adoption: If a second citizenship is acquired automatically through marriage or adoption, dual citizenship is allowed regardless of the country involved.
Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions?
- Specialist expertise in the Latvia Golden Visa
- Access to pre-vetted qualifying investment opportunities
- Trusted by 15,000+ clients worldwide
- Over a decade of advisory expertise
- Dedicated relationship manager
- Transparent fees and guidance
- Support beyond approval
