Latvia has long been one of the preferred entry points to EU residency for foreign investors. The country has offered a variety of investment options, including one of the most affordable business investment programs on the continent, as well as real estate and other pathways.
In 2026, however, legislators proposed an overhaul of the country’s residency-by-investment system, including further changes to its established investment pathways and the introduction of new ones.
In this article, we will examine which Latvian residence by investment options remain available in 2026 and which are no longer active. We will explore the pathways, investment requirements, and the application process. We will also discuss the major changes introduced by the proposed amendment of the Latvian Immigration Act.
Latvia Residence by Investment Program: Active Pathway
As an investor, you may be eligible for a five-year, renewable temporary residence permit, sometimes referred to as the Golden Visa, by making an eligible investment in a Latvian company.
Latvia previously offered two additional pathways through real estate and subordinated capital. However, as of September 2026, these options are no longer active.
Bonus read: To learn more about European countries that offer residence to investors, read our guides on Portugal, Greece, and Montenegro.
Latvian Residence Permit Investment Requirements
You can be granted temporary residency in Latvia by investing in the equity capital of a new or existing company in the country. The minimum investment thresholds depend on the size of the company:
| Minimum Investment | Number of Employees | Annual Turnover/Balance Sheet Total |
| EUR 50,000 | 50 or fewer | EUR 10 million or less |
| EUR 100,000 | More than 50 | More than EUR 10 million |
You will also be required to make a one-time contribution of EUR 10,000 to the country’s budget, regardless of the type of company you invest in.
A company eligible for the lower investment minimum can support up to 10 temporary residence permits, provided that each applicant has made an eligible minimum investment and made the one-off budget payment.
For the purposes of determining whether the larger investment minimum applies, a company can be assessed either on its own or together with Latvian-registered subsidiaries.
To maintain eligibility, the companies will also need to meet the minimum yearly tax payments to local or state governments:
- EUR 40,000 for the smaller company
- EUR 100,000 for the larger company
How To Apply for Latvian Residence by Investment
To apply for Latvian temporary residence as an investor, you need to:
- Make an eligible investment
- Gather the necessary documents
- Submit the application
- Register the permit
Make an Eligible Investment
When making an investment, ensure it meets all the requirements of the company investment pathway. Here’s how to check the eligibility of your investment:
- Ensure that the company investment is in equity and that its value matches the company size
- Examine the company’s number of employees and annual turnover or balance-sheet total
Because the requirements involve checking company records and other documentation, you might benefit from working with professionals who understand both the investment and immigration process.
Gather the Necessary Documents
The documents you will need when making the initial temporary residence application as an investor include:
- A completed application form, available from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) website
- A certified copy of your passport
- A 3cm x 4cm photograph of yourself
- A non-conviction certificate issued by your home country
- A document showing you meet the means of subsistence requirements
- Proof of fee payments
In addition to these documents, you will also have to submit supporting documents for your investment.
Submit the Application
The submission options for your temporary residence application vary by location at the time of submission. If you are applying from Latvia, you can submit the application either electronically via email or in paper form via regular mail.
To apply from outside of Latvia, you have to submit the application at a diplomatic mission. You have to do so in person, after making an appointment.
As an applicant under the Latvian company investment pathway, you may also designate a person to submit the application on your behalf, though this is available only to applicants from certain countries.
Register the Permit
After being granted permanent residence, you will have three months to travel to Latvia and take possession of the permit.
From then on, you will have to register the permit every year. When doing so, you will have to provide the following documents:
- A copy of your passport
- A certificate of health insurance
- A free-form application, indicating your address in Latvia and the number of days you stayed in the country
You will also be required to provide investment-specific documents as proof of compliance with the temporary residence requirements. For the company investment pathway, these include documents showing the company meets the minimum annual tax bill requirements (EUR 40,000 or EUR 100,000).
You can submit the registration via email or regular mail, regardless of your location at the time of submission.
Investment as a Pathway to Latvian Permanent Residence and Citizenship
After five years of continuous temporary residence in Latvia, you can apply for permanent residence in the country.
To be eligible, you must spend significant time in the country over the five years, with a maximum absence of six consecutive months or one year in total. You will also need to demonstrate knowledge of the Latvian language (A2 level or higher) and 12 months of income equal to or higher than the country’s minimum salary (EUR 780).
After five years of permanent residence, you can apply for Latvian citizenship. When applying, you will need to take a test of language fluency and knowledge of the country’s culture and history. You will also need to provide evidence of financial self-sufficiency.
Certain circumstances might disqualify you from eligibility for Latvian citizenship, even if you meet the requirements. These include:
- A conviction, in Latvia or abroad, for an offence that would be considered a crime in Latvia
- Failure to pay tax or other financial obligation to the state
- Engaging in activities that would threaten national security or public order
If your application is successful and you pass the two tests, you will be required to take an oath before being admitted to citizenship. Latvia allows dual citizenship if your country of origin is:
- An EFTA, NATO, or EU country
- Australia, New Zealand, or Brazil
- A country that recognises Latvia for dual citizenship
If you’re not from an eligible country, you will have to revoke your original citizenship and provide proof of doing so when becoming a citizen of Latvia.
Latvia Residence by Investment: Discontinued Pathways
Until September 2026, Latvia offered two additional pathways to temporary residence through real estate purchases and subordinated capital investments in Latvian credit institutions.
The following table provides more details on the two routes:
| Pathway | Details |
| Real estate investment | Applicants could qualify for temporary residence by purchasing eligible Latvian real estate worth at least EUR 250,000. The property had to meet specific requirements regarding its type, cadastral or market value, seller eligibility, and payment method |
| Subordinated capital investment | Applicants could qualify by investing at least EUR 280,000 in subordinated liabilities with a Latvian credit institution for a minimum term of five years |
Following the changes to the Immigration Law, both pathways are no longer available to new applicants.
The Proposed Changes to Latvian Residence by Investment
Changes to Latvia’s Immigration Law are reshaping the options available to foreign citizens seeking temporary residence through investment. The most consequential of those changes include:
- The removal of the real estate and subordinated capital investment pathways
- The proposed introduction of a new pathway with investments into a state-established alternative investment fund*
*Disclaimer: As of the time of writing, the removal of the proposed alternative investment fund pathway is already being discussed. The final text of the relevant legislation has yet to be officially published.
An additional change that most temporary residence holders would welcome is the removal of the registration requirement and its replacement with a shorter temporary residence duration of two years for the investment program.
Changes to immigration regulations are common not only in Latvia but also in other countries. Failure to anticipate them can cause delays in your international strategy or, at worst, completely derail it.
However, working with professionals who specialise in international migration can help mitigate the risks presented by regulatory shifts. A professional can advise you on the upcoming changes and help you find alternative pathways for realising your goals. For an international strategy that adapts to regulatory challenges, contact Nomad Capitalist.
Become a Latvian Resident With Nomad Capitalist
Nomad Capitalist is a consultancy company that focuses on international mobility and asset protection. We’ve helped more than 1,500 clients obtain a second residence, structure assets to reduce tax liabilities, access international banking, and explore investment opportunities abroad.
Our core service is the Action Plan, a step-by-step blueprint for reaching your financial and lifestyle goals. We work closely with our clients to determine the relevant circumstances and achievable targets, ensuring our Plans are tailor-made and have the most effective roadmap for success.
Here’s what partnering with Nomad Capitalist on an Action Plan looks like:
- We ask you to fill out a form to help us determine whether we’re a good match
- We schedule a 45-minute onboarding call to learn more about your situation and desires
- Your case manager creates an Action Plan and presents it to you for approval
- We implement the Plan over 12 months, providing necessary assistance and keeping the process on track
- You continue receiving support from us even after the Plan is implemented
Nomad Capitalist can assist you with securing residency in Latvia by advising you on the investment pathways available to foreign citizens and the associated requirements. We can also provide support throughout the application process, from meeting the requirements to lodging a formal application and maintaining it for future permanent residence filing. To get started, contact Nomad Capitalist right away!
