Latvia Permanent Residence - Help from Our Latvian Lawyers
Residence Permit in Latvia
Updated on Tuesday 22nd August 2023 Rate this article
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EU citizens can live in Latvia for three months based on their valid travel documents alone. If they want to move to Latvia after these three months, it is required to apply for a temporary residence permit. After five straight years of residence, they can obtain Latvia's permanent residence. Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, benefit from a special program that grants them the right to live in Latvia.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types | - residence permit based on the purchase/aquisition of real estate; - residence permit based on investment |
| Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | 30 - 90 days |
| Temporary residence permit validity | 1 to 3 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | - a completed residence permit application form; - a photo; - confirmation of no criminal record; - proof of subsistence/sufficient funds; - a document confirming the planned place of residence in the Republic of Latvia; - a document confirming payment of the state fees. |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | - City Council Registration; - Population Register |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder | Yes |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | Investors can gain a five year residency permit by investing €250,000 in property. |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | - completed residence permit application form; - a photo; - confirmation of no criminal record; - proof of subsistence/sufficient funds; - document confirming the planned place of residence in the Republic of Latvia; - document confirming payment of the state fees. |
| Naturalization requirements | - should be over the age of 15; - the permanent place of residence has been in Latvia for not less than the last five years; - fluecy in the Latvian language; - have a legal source of income; - should give a pledge of loyalty to the Republic of Latvia |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | It can be obtained after five years. |
You can trust the legal services of our immigration lawyers in Latvia if you are interested in acquiring a temporary or permanent residence permit. On the other hand, the formalities for immigration to Latvia can be entirely managed by our local representatives.
Temporary residence permits in Latvia in 2023
The temporary residence permit in Latvia may be obtained by foreign citizens if they have a minimum monthly income of EUR 430, instead of a work contract with a determined salary. The Immigration Department issues residence permits in Latvia. The following documents are required when applying for a temporary residence permit in Latvia:
- A copy of the applicant’s passport;
- Information about the applicant’s marital status, family members and education;
- Proof of residential address in Latvia;
- A document confirming the applicant’s stay in Latvia, such as an employment contract;
- Proof of health insurance;
- Proof of payment of the registration fee.
The skilled lawyers at our law firm in Latvia can guide you through the residence permit application procedure. Below you can discover an infographic with details about how to get residency in Latvia:
EU citizens and residence in Latvia
Citizens of EU/EEA, Switzerland, and UK can become permanent residents of this country from the moment they acquire their ID number and the EU citizen’s registration certificate. Here are some requirements for EU citizens to be fulfilled to qualify for acquiring a registration certificate:
- The EU citizens must have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in Latvia;
- He/she is receiving education in Latvia along with sufficient financial means to support expenses;
- EU citizen is a service-provider, employed or self-employed in Latvia.
An EU citizen can also obtain Latvia permanent residence if he/she is a family member of a local citizen. Get more details from our skilled lawyers if you are an EU citizen and want to obtain Latvia permanent residence.
Other legal ways to get a residence permit in Latvia in 2023
Please find below several ways for obtaining residency in Latvia, provided by the authorities of the state. In addition, you can qualify as a resident of Latvia by fulfilling the obligations of any of the following options:
- If an individual has a labor contract with a company, he/she can get residency in Latvia;
- The applicant can make a real estate investment of at least EUR 250,000 if he/she is interested in obtaining a permanent or temporary residence permit in Latvia.
- If an individual owns a company in their home country, he/she can incorporate its representative office in Latvia for obtaining residency. You can trust the legal assistance of our immigration lawyers in Latvia in this regard;
- Instead of incorporating a representative office in Latvia from the country of origin, the applicant can incorporate a company here.
You can get the legal help of experienced lawyers at our law firm in Latvia because obtaining a residency is a complex and lengthy process. At first, the applicant gets a temporary residence permit in Latvia, which needs annual renewal. Then, after five years of legal residence, an individual can apply for a Latvia permanent residence. Finally, after ten years of legal residence under the title of a permanent resident, an individual can apply for citizenship in Latvia. If you are dealing with any of these stages, you can get in touch with our Latvian lawyers for their comprehensive legal assistance.
Besides helping you with obtaining residence in this country, you are also welcome to rely on our lawyers if you think you qualify for citizenship in Latvia. Or if you are unaware of the criteria for getting citizenship here, you can get in touch with our lawyers. The seasoned lawyers at our law firm in Latvia can guide you in detail about the requirements, application procedure, and any related fees. Here is a video presentation about residence permits in Latvia:
Making investments to get residency in Latvia
Latvia Residence by Investment Program is available for those interested in this status. As such, there are a few formalities to observe at the time you decide on applying for a residence permit in Latvia:
- An investment of EUR 50,000 in the equity capital of a company in Latvia, assuming a tax payment of at least EUR 40,000 per year made by the company for which the investments are made.
- EUR 10,000 as a one-time payment to Latvia's state budget, also proving the source of funds.
- The main applicant must demonstrate he/she has enough funds to maintain standard of living of the family, for instance about EUR 20,640 per year for the main applicant and spouse and around EUR 22,188 per year for a married couple with one child. A single applicant must demonstrate he/she has around EUR 15,480.
You can turn your attention to our immigration lawyers in Latvia for more details about the Latvia Residence by Investment Program. We can help foreigners relocate to Latvia by managing the procedures involved in the process.
Time frame for obtaining the residence visa in Latvia
Normally, the process of obtaining a Latvian residence visa takes around 30-90 days, depending on the demands and other factors. It is also allowed to apply for family members, at the same time as the main applicant.
In case of opting for residence by investment in Latvia, foreign citizens must collect in person the residence permit issued by the Immigration Office in Latvia, within a maximum of 3 months from the date of issue. We remind you that a residence permit is valid for 3 to 5 years and it can be extended upon request.
Here are some estimated prices that you should consider when applying for a residence permit in Latvia:
- Around EUR 150 for paperwork processing.
- About EUR 450 for a fast process, reducing the term of issuance to about 5 days,
- Applications made outside Latvia require an additional sum of approximately EUR 110.
- Around EUR 560 is imposed for an accelerated review of the residence permit application.
We remind you that these are average fees, therefore, changes might be imposed, which is why you should make some checks at the time of application for residency in Latvia.
If you cannot appear for the residence permit pick-up, you can be represented with a power of attorney. Thus, you can talk to one of our Latvian attorneys for legal support, to benefit from a fast and uncomplicated process.
When can I apply for permanent residency in Latvia?
Foreign citizens who prove that they have lived in Latvia for at least 5 years are good candidates for permanent residence in this country. In this case, they must prove that they have basic knowledge of the Latvian language, with the help of a dedicated test.
Also, when applying for permanent residence in Latvia, candidates must prove that they know the country's anthem but also have knowledge of its history and culture. If you want to move to Latvia and you want specialized help with the preparation of documents, we advise you to talk to one of our specialists on immigration issues.
Contact us without hesitation to benefit from the necessary legal advice and ensure the accuracy of the documents and formalities you have to prepare in this endeavor.
What benefits can you acquire from Latvian residency as a third country national?
As a third-country national, if you get Latvia permanent residence, you can get the following social security benefits:
- Housing;
- Assistance services if suffering from Group I visual disability;
- Compensation for transport expenses in case of any disability;
- Proper care in case of any disability;
- As a third-country national, you can get birth of child benefit;
- Receive allowance for child care;
- Get proper care for your child in case he/she is disabled;
- If you are a guardian of a child, Latvian authorities provide you with support payments;
- You can get support payments for performing the role of foster parents;
- You also receive support payments from Latvian authorities for adopting a child.
As a third-country national interested in permanent immigration to Latvia, you can also receive various other benefits if you have paid social insurance contributions or worked in Latvia. The following benefits are offered no matter whether you are in Latvia or any other EU/EEA country:
- Paternity and maternity benefit;
- Compensation for any accident that happened at the workplace;
- Compensation for any work-related illness;
- Pension once you get old;
- Unemployment benefit;
- Sickness benefit;
- Funeral benefit.
If you want to know more about Latvia permanent residence permit benefits, you can rely on the services of our lawyers who will help you with immigration to Latvia.
Latvia is a member state of the European Union. So, if you are planning immigration to Latvia, it means you can have visa-free access to all other European Union member states. Our lawyers will not only help you get a visa of your choice but also assist you in understanding the benefits of your selected visa type. This information can help you understand your rights and obligations in a foreign state.
Immigration data about Latvia
The data for 2020 showed an emigrant number of approximately 12,000 and around 13,000 for 2021. Here are other statistical data about immigration to Latvia that could be useful when you want to relocate to this country and apply for a residence permit:
- Around 64.2% of Latvian immigrants arrived from countries of the European Union.
- An immigration rate of UK citizens is also recorded, around 7.2% of all immigrants, as the figures for 2021 showed.
- Over 56,700 Ukrainian citizens have found a new home in Latvia, due to the social and political context.
Contact our attorneys in Latvia for details about visa and residence application procedures in 2023.