European residency with Schengen access and a long-term route to EU citizenship
Latvia occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of Western Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe, making it a key gateway for trade, logistics, and international business. As a member of both the European Union and the Eurozone, the country benefits from free movement of goods and capital, regulatory consistency, and the stability of the euro.
Latvia is consistently recognised for its business-friendly environment. It ranks highly in global ease-of-doing-business benchmarks due to its efficient regulations, transparent legal framework, and advanced digital government services. Companies benefit from a competitive corporate tax model, including a 0% tax on reinvested profits, which is particularly attractive for growing enterprises.
The country has also established itself as a regional technology hub, supported by fast internet infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a strong IT and fintech ecosystem. Foreign entrepreneurs can register, manage, and operate businesses remotely with relative ease.
Often referred to as the Latvia Golden Visa, the Residency by Investment Programme allows qualifying foreign nationals to obtain legal residence in Latvia by making an approved investment.
The programme is known for its affordability and variety of investment routes, making it one of the more accessible options for European residency. It is open to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals, although citizens of Russia and Belarus are currently excluded.
Latvian residency can lead to EU citizenship over time. Investors may apply for permanent residence after five years of legal residence in Latvia, subject to meeting language and civic knowledge requirements. After holding permanent residency for a further five years, applicants may become eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship. Latvia permits dual citizenship under qualifying circumstances.
Applicants may invest directly into a Latvian company:
Applicants may acquire qualifying property in Latvia:
Applicants may place funds in a Latvian financial institution:
Applicants may invest in Latvian government bonds:
There is no fixed minimum stay requirement. However, permit holders must visit Latvia at least once per year in order to renew their residence permit annually.
Yes. Applicants may include their spouse and dependent children in the same application. Additional requirements and fees may apply depending on family size and circumstances.
Yes. Residence permit holders are permitted to work, establish a business, and engage in commercial activities in Latvia.
The residence permit is initially issued for a five-year period. However, it must be renewed on an annual basis to remain valid.
