Latvian citizenship offers more than just the right to live in Latvia. You can access the entire European Union, granting freedom to live, work, and study across 27 member states. Many people qualify through their Latvian heritage, while others pursue it through naturalization or marriage.
Whether you are getting back to family roots or moving to Latvia long-term, understanding the different pathways, requirements, and timelines is the first step toward becoming a Latvian citizen.
Latvian Citizenship: Key Takeaways
- Paths to Latvian citizenship: Naturalization, descent, birth, or special circumstances (e.g., descendants of exiles).
- Naturalization requirements: 10 years of residence (5 years permanent), Latvian language (A2/B1) and civics exams, stable income, clean criminal record.
- Descent eligibility: Descendants of pre-1940 Latvian citizens or ethnic Latvians/Līvs; dual citizenship often allowed.
- Processing times: Naturalization 6–12 months; descent 1–4 months.
- Costs: Citizenship application €28.46, passport €44–€70, eID €25–€40.
- Benefits of Latvian citizenship: EU freedom of movement, Schengen access, education, healthcare, political rights, and family advantages.
- Dual citizenship: Allowed for EU, EFTA, NATO, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, exiles, and approved cases
Latvian Citizenship Benefits
- Obtain a Latvian passport: One of the main benefits of getting Latvian citizenship is obtaining a Latvian passport. This includes travel to 110 Latvia visa free countries, including those in the EU and Schengen Area.
- Gateway to the European Union: Acquiring Latvian citizenship opens the door to the European Union, granting free movement and the option to live, work, and travel across any EU member state. This means you can settle in places like France or Germany, find job opportunities in various industries across Europe, or simply enjoy the ease of travel within the EU.
- Schengen Area access: As a Latvian citizen, you gain unrestricted access to the Schengen Area. This allows you to travel visa-free to a host of European countries, experiencing diverse cultures, languages, and histories without the hassle of applying for multiple visas.
- Quality education and healthcare: Obtaining Latvian citizenship provides access to the high-quality education and healthcare systems. As a citizen, you can benefit from educational opportunities at various levels and enjoy comprehensive healthcare services known for their efficiency and quality.
- Economic opportunities and pathways to citizenship: Latvian citizenship can provide a range of economic benefits. The country’s growing economy offers numerous business and investment opportunities. One of the most popular options is the Latvia Golden Visa, opening a world of investment opportunities. As a citizen, you’re also eligible for various government grants and support programs that can aid in business ventures or personal investments.
- Cultural heritage and lifestyle: Bordering the Baltic Sea, Latvia boasts a rich cultural heritage and a unique lifestyle. Citizenship allows you to immerse yourself fully in Latvian traditions, festivals, and the arts, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of this vibrant culture.
- Political rights: As a Latvian citizen, you gain full political rights, including voting and participating in referendums. This empowers you to have a say in the country’s governance and decision-making processes.
- Family benefits: Latvian citizenship also extends several benefits to families. It provides stability and security for your children, who can enjoy the rights and privileges of being EU citizens, including access to education and healthcare. This makes Latvia an attractive option for those looking to secure a prosperous future for their family.
How to Get Latvia Citizenship
Latvian citizenship can be acquired through descent, marriage, or naturalization after long-term legal residence. Naturalization requires holding permanent residency for at least five years, passing Latvian language and civics exams, and demonstrating a legal source of income. While Latvia does not offer a direct citizenship by investment program, foreign nationals can obtain a residence permit through investment. After completing 10 years of legal residence in Latvia, they may become eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship.
Lets take a closer look at each citizenship pathway.
Latvia citizenship by naturalization
Latvian citizenship by naturalization is available to foreign nationals who have lived in Latvia long term and meet integration requirements. In most cases, applicants must complete 10 years of residence, including at least five consecutive years with a valid residence permit, before applying through the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).
Main requirements include:
- Residency: 10 years of total residence in Latvia, with the last 5 years on a valid residence permit
- Language and knowledge: Passing exams in the Latvian language (minimum A2 level), Latvian history, and the Constitution
- Financial stability: Proof of a stable and legal source of income
- Criminal record: A clean criminal record and no involvement in anti-constitutional activities
- Oath and citizenship status: Taking an oath of loyalty to Latvia and, in most cases, renouncing previous citizenship, unless an exemption applies
Naturalization is a structured but demanding route, making it best suited for those planning long-term residence and integration in Latvia.
Document requirements For Latvian citizenship by naturalization
To secure citizenship of Latvia through naturalization, you will need to submit the following documents to OMCA (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs):
- A valid personal identification document
- Proof of legal income or financial support (such as an employer’s letter or a bank statement showing a positive balance)
- One passport-style photograph (3 × 4 cm)
- Proof of permanent residence in Latvia for the past five years
- If you are a citizen of another country, a criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship, legalized and translated into Latvian (issued within the last six months)
- Proof of payment of the state application fee (€28.46)
Latvian citizenship by descent
Latvian citizenship by descent is available to individuals with Latvian heritage, typically through parents or grandparents who were citizens before 1940 and left Latvia due to occupation, or if one parent is a current Latvian citizen. Since 2013, Latvia allows many forms of dual citizenship, simplifying the process for those who already hold another nationality.
Who can apply for Latvian citizenship by descent?
- Children of current citizens: Automatically eligible if at least one parent is a Latvian citizen at birth
- Descendants of pre-1940 citizens: You, a parent, or grandparent were Latvian citizens on June 17, 1940, and left during the Soviet or Nazi occupation (June 1940 – May 1990)
- Ethnic Latvians or Livs: Certain pathways exist for individuals identifying as ethnic Latvian or Liv
Latvia citizenship by descent document requirements
To apply, you must provide proof of Latvian ancestry, including:
- Birth, marriage, or other civil records showing your connection to a Latvian parent or grandparent
- Ancestor’s Latvian passport or citizenship documents (if available)
- Your own identification documents
Note: All documents usually need Apostilles and professional translations into Latvian. Some applicants, particularly ethnic Latvians, may also need to pass a Latvian language test. It is essential to demonstrate lineage to someone who was a citizen before June 17, 1940, or is of ethnic Latvian or Liv origin.
Latvia citizenship by marriage
Foreign spouses can eventually obtain Latvian citizenship through marriage, following a naturalization process. After marriage, spouses first apply for a residence permit. Once they have held permanent residency for five years, they may become eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship after an additional five years of legal residence.
Marriage in Latvia is only permitted for opposite-sex couples, and both partners must be over 18. Marriages can be registered at a registry office or by a priest of the relevant church, and couples must submit signed applications and valid ID.
You will also need to provide proof of proficiency in the Latvian language.
Latvia Residency by Investment: The Stepping Stone to Latvian Citizenship
There is no Latvia citizenship by investment. However, you can obtain Latvian citizenship after 10 years of residency. One of the top ways to start the journey and obtain a residency permit is through the Latvia Golden Visa. There are a range of attractive investment options, including:
- Real estate investment: Buy property in Latvia worth a minimum of €250,000. The property must have a cadastral value of at least €80,000. Additional government fees apply (approximately 5% of the property value).
- Business investment: Invest at least €50,000 in a capital company with fewer than 50 employees and an annual budget under €10 million OR invest €100,000 in a larger company with more than 50 employees and an annual budget over €10 million. Additional government fees include €10,000.
- Bank deposit: Investors can deposit a minimum of €280,000 in Latvian banks for at least five years. A government fee of €25,000 applies.
- Government bonds: Investors can purchase government bonds worth a minimum of €250,000, which can be withdrawn after five years. An additional state fee of €38,000 applies.
Important to note: Latvian Residency by Investment requires that you show you have the financial means to invest and sustain yourself in the country. Working with a trusted Latvia immigration lawyer is highly recommended to ensure your application is complete and meets the necessary requirements under Latvian citizenship law.
How to Apply for Latvian Citizenship
Obtaining Latvian citizenship can be done through naturalization, descent, birth, or special circumstances like being a descendant of exiles. The process is coordinated through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Latvia or at a Latvian embassy abroad.
Step-by-step overview:
- Choose your pathway – Naturalization, descent, birth, or special eligibility.
- Meet residency and eligibility requirements – For naturalization, this usually means 5 years of permanent residence, passing Latvian language and civics tests, and having a legal source of income.
- Prepare documents – Include proof of identity, residency, ancestry (if applicable), and legal income. All documents must be translated into Latvian and legalized.
- Submit your application – Applications are submitted to OCMA in Latvia or through a Latvian diplomatic mission abroad.
- Await review and decision – Processing times vary depending on the route, but applicants are notified once the citizenship decision is made.
Following this process carefully ensures a smooth path to Latvian citizenship, granting access to EU rights, travel freedom, and full civic participation in Latvia.
Latvia Citizenship Processing Time
The Latvian citizenship process varies by pathway. For naturalization, official review usually takes 6–12 months, but the full process (including 5+ years of residency, language proficiency, and stable income) can span several years. Descent-based applications are faster, often completed in 1–4 months. All applications are handled by the Migration Affairs Office.
Latvia Citizenship Language Requirements
To obtain Latvian citizenship through naturalization, applicants must pass a Latvian citizenship test demonstrating Latvian language fluency (around A2/B1 level) and knowledge of Latvian history, culture, the Constitution, and the National Anthem. The language test evaluates listening, reading, writing, and speaking, with a minimum score of 60% in each section, ensuring applicants can fully integrate into Latvian society. Applicants are required to take the Latvian language proficiency test within two months of submitting their application for citizenship by naturalization.
If the applicant fails to pass the test for obtaining Latvian citizenship, they can retake it after three months. There is also an option to retake specific sections that didn’t achieve the required score.
Certain individuals are exempt from the Latvian citizenship test, including:
- Those who have demonstrated Latvian language proficiency through primary or secondary education in Latvia.
- Individuals who have completed higher education in Latvia.
- People who received a basic education within the country.
- Applicants over the age of 65 are exempt from the written portion of the exam.
Cost of Latvian Citizenship
| Document | Standard Service | Expedited Service |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship application | €28.46 | Reduced fee €4.27* |
| Passport | €44 (10 working days) | €70 (2 working days) |
| Identity card (eID) | €25 (10 working days) | €40 (2 working days) |
Latvia Dual Citizenship
Latvia permits dual citizenship under specific conditions, making it easier for many to hold multiple nationalities. Since 2013, Latvian law allows dual citizenship primarily for:
- EU, EFTA, and NATO citizens – including countries like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and all EU and NATO member states.
- Citizens of Australia, Brazil, or New Zealand.
- Latvian exiles and their descendants – those registering as exiles or descendants can retain dual citizenship.
- Marriage or adoption – acquiring Latvian citizenship through marriage or adoption generally allows dual nationality.
- Other countries – citizens from countries not listed may obtain dual citizenship with permission from Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers if it serves important national interests.
This framework makes it easier for many individuals to enjoy the benefits of Latvian citizenship while maintaining their original nationality.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
