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
The timing of these reforms is not yet clear but could take effect by mid- or late 2026. Anyone who receives a residence permit under the current rules will keep the full five-year validity, even if the amendments are passed.
Top 7 Latvian Citizenship Benefits
- Powerful Latvian passport: The Latvian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including all EU and Schengen states, North America, and parts of Asia, making international travel and business easier.
- Full EU citizenship: Live, work, and study across all 27 EU member states without additional visas or permits. Enjoy EU social benefits, healthcare, and seamless mobility for work or lifestyle opportunities.
- Schengen Area freedom: Travel freely across 27 Schengen countries without visas. This allows quick border crossings and easy access to European culture, festivals, and events.
- High-quality education and healthcare: Benefit from EU-standard public education and healthcare services. Children gain access to excellent schooling and educational opportunities throughout the EU.
- Economic opportunities and investment pathways: Start a business with access to the EU market, apply for government grants, or opt for the Latvia Golden Visa as a step toward citizenship. Latvia’s growing economy offers many business and investment opportunities.
- Rich cultural heritage and lifestyle: Immerse yourself in Latvia’s traditions, festivals, arts, and lifestyle. Live in cities like Riga or along the scenic Baltic coast and enjoy a high quality of life.
- Political rights and family benefits: Vote in national and local elections, and provide your children with EU citizenship benefits, including education, healthcare, and freedom to move and work across Europe.
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 the Republic of 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 certificate, 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 citizenship in Latvia 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 a primary or secondary educational institution 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 dual citizenship is permitted 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.
