Temporary residency program
Latvia Golden Visa
EU residency through a Latvian company you build or back, with no minimum time in the country. If you're a founder or business owner who wants a base in Europe, this is the program for you.
- Contribution from
- €50K
- Processing time
- 8 months
- Citizenship path
- 10 years
- Presence required
- 1 day per year
As featured in
Why the Latvia Golden Visa?
I grew up 90 miles from the Canadian border, in the middle of the Great Plains, so a northern winter isn't my first pick. For the right person, though, a few years in Latvia doesn't sound bad at all.
From what friends and our team on the ground tell me, Riga is calm next to other European capitals, and the people are friendly.
I can't tell you where the next crisis comes from. What I do know is the importance of insurance, and a European residency built on a company you own is a smart form of it.
And you don't have to relocate. But if you do, there's that.
James NuveenFounder of the Freedom Files
Benefits of the Latvia Golden Visa
EU residency in about 8 months
Most complete files reach the residence permit in about 8 months, including setting up the company. By law, the decision itself comes within 4 months of filing.
1 day a year
You need to be in Latvia just 1 day a year to maintain your permit. Beyond that, you come as often or as rarely as you like.
A company of your own
Your investment goes into the share capital of a Latvian company you own in part or in full. Latvian companies pay no corporate income tax on profits they reinvest, only on what they distribute.
Schengen Area travel
Your permit lets you travel the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180. US passport holders already have visa-free Schengen travel.
A path to EU citizenship
If you move to Latvia, 5 years of living there leads to EU permanent residency, and citizenship can follow about 5 years later. Latvia allows dual citizenship with EU and NATO countries, including the US and Canada.
Is the Latvia Golden Visa Right for You?
Right for you if
- Founders and business owners with €50K or more for a Latvian company
- Investors joining an established Latvian company
- Anyone who wants EU residency with no minimum time in the country
- Clients who want Schengen Area travel and a base in the Baltics
- People ready to live in Latvia on the way to EU permanent residency
Look elsewhere if
- You want a passive investment: Your company must pay at least €40K/yr in Latvian taxes for your permit to remain valid.
- You want to qualify by buying a home: Real estate doesn't qualify for new applications.
- You want citizenship without moving to Latvia: Permanent residency needs 5 years of living there and A2 Latvian.
- You have an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport: The program is for third-country nationals only.
Who Your Latvia Golden Visa Application Covers
One investment covers everyone applying with you. Each family member pays the permit fees and receives a permit for the same term as yours.
| Family member | Condition |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legal marriage |
| Children under 18 | Yours or your spouse's |
Are You Eligible for the Latvia Golden Visa?
Answer 3 quick questions. In 2 minutes, you'll know whether you're likely to qualify, and what fits better if you don't.
Latvia Golden Visa Investment Options
There are 2 open routes, both through the share capital of a Latvian company, and a state fund route that opens once the fund is set up. Your stake is an investment you can sell later, for more or less than you put in. The €10K state payment is non-refundable.
- Popular
Smaller company share capital
€50K
How this route works
You invest at least €50K in the share capital of a Latvian company with no more than 50 employees and a yearly turnover or balance sheet of up to €10M. It can be a company you start or one you join, and up to 10 investors can qualify through it. The company must pay at least €40K/yr in Latvian taxes, and you pay a non-refundable €10K state payment. If you're a US citizen, owning a foreign company brings added US filings, so plan the structure first.
Larger company share capital
€100K
How this route works
You invest at least €100K in the share capital of a Latvian company with more than 50 employees and a turnover or balance sheet of over €10M, on its own or with its Latvian subsidiaries. The company must pay at least €100K/yr in Latvian taxes, and you pay a non-refundable €10K state payment.
State investment fund
€150K
How this route works
The 2026 law adds a route of €150K, placed for at least 5 years with a fund manager the Latvian state sets up, plus a non-refundable €10K state payment. It gives a permit of up to 5 years. The state hasn't set up the fund yet, so the route isn't open. We'll tell you when it is.
Latvia Golden Visa Cost
Estimated total for 4 people
€61,100
About US$70,876 at today's rate
- Qualifying investmentSmaller company share capital
- €50,000
- State payment, non-refundablePaid directly to the Latvian state budget
- €10,000
- Residence permit reviewPaid directly to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
- €640
- Residence permit registrationPaid directly to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
- €300
- Criminal record checkPaid directly to your country's police authority
- €40
- Apostilles on your documentsPaid directly to the issuing authority
- €120
Later
- Permit renewal every 2 years, per person€235
- State payment at your first renewal after 5 years€2,000
Government and official fees only, at the standard 30-day speed. The €10K state payment is due once your permit is approved. Company formation, accounting, and the company's own taxes come on top. Freedom Files fees aren't included. All amounts are subject to change.
Get your numbers on the call. We price your route for everyone applying before you commit.
Latvia Golden Visa Costs at a Glance
| Qualifying investment | Smaller company: €50K in share capitalLarger company: €100K in share capital |
|---|---|
| State payment | €10K, once, non-refundable, due when your permit is approved |
| Permit fees | €160 per person to review the application and €75 to register the permit |
| Company costs | Formation and accounting, plus the company's yearly taxes of at least €40K, or €100K for a larger company |
| Health insurance | Private cover valid in Latvia for everyone applying |
| Translations and apostilles | Depends on the number of documents |
| The Freedom Files | A fixed quote in writing before you commit |
Latvia Golden Visa and Taxes
The basics below are for planning only, and each one is pending licensed review. Your own position depends on your income, your assets, and where you spend your time. Our team provides US and Latvia tax planning, so you can have your plan reviewed before you commit.
Tax residency in Latvia
You're a Latvian tax resident if you declare your place of residence in Latvia or spend 183 days or more there in any 12 months.
US income tax treaty
Yes. The US and Latvia treaty lowers withholding on dividends, interest, and royalties, and tax credits prevent the same income being taxed twice.
Golden Visa presence vs tax residency
The Golden Visa asks for 1 day a year in Latvia. Latvia taxes you as a resident if you declare your residence there or spend 183 days or more in any 12 months, so clients who don't move don't become Latvian tax residents.
Special tax regimes
No special regime for new residents. Residents pay 25.5% to 33% on worldwide income, and companies pay tax only on profits they distribute.
Latvia Golden Visa Document Checklist
Here's the typical file for the Latvia Golden Visa. Your country and your case can change the list, and we confirm yours on the call.
Main applicant
- Valid passport
- Recent photo
- Residence permit application form
- Criminal record check, from your country and any country you've lived in recently
- Health insurance valid in Latvia
- Proof of means to support yourself and anyone applying with you
Investment proof
- Register of Enterprises record showing your stake in the company's share capital
- The company's annual report, showing its employees and turnover
- Record of the company's tax payments
- Source of funds file: Bank records and tax documents that trace the money
Spouse and children
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate for each child
- Notarized consent of the other parent, if a child applies with only 1 parent
Prepared in Latvia
- Company formation or share purchase
- Latvian bank account for the company
- Invitation from the company, approved by the immigration office
- Power of attorney for our Latvia team
Latvia Golden Visa Process and Timeline
Total: about 8 months to your residence permit. 1 trip to Latvia, for biometrics.
- 1
Freedom Consult
A call with our founder. We confirm the Golden Visa fits your goals and budget, and anyone applying with you, or we point you to a better route. You leave with a clear plan and a quote in writing.
- 2
Engagement and document file
You sign the engagement and we send your document checklist. You gather your records, and we check each one, then arrange the apostilles and any translations.
- 3
Choosing the company
You start a Latvian company or invest in one that's already trading. Our Latvia team checks its size, its tax record, and the 10-investor limit before you commit.
- 4
Investment and registration
You pay your investment into the company's share capital through a Latvian bank, and we register your stake with the Register of Enterprises.
- 5
Filing
We prepare and file your application with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, at a Latvian consulate or in Latvia. By law, the decision comes within 4 months.
- 6
State payment and entry
Once your permit is approved, you pay the €10K state payment, which is non-refundable. If you filed abroad, a long-term visa lets you enter Latvia.
- 7
Biometrics and residence permit
You travel to Latvia once to give fingerprints and a photo; each family member attends. Your permit is issued for up to 2 years.
- 8
Renewals
There's no minimum time in Latvia. Every 2 years, you renew as long as you own your stake and the company meets its yearly tax payments. Contact us to renew.
Milestones to residency and citizenship
Residence permit
8 months
EU permanent residency
After 5 years of living in Latvia
Citizenship application
After about 10 years of living in Latvia
“I love the way the Freedom Files team present themselves and show up for our family. I much prefer their honest, on-the-ground-experience approach than the suited-up lawyers with bookshelves of textbooks behind them.”
Latvia Golden Visa vs Alternatives
| Latvia Golden Visa | Italy Investor Visa | Greece Golden Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum financial requirement | €50K | €250K | €250K |
| Processing time | 8 months | 3 months | 10 months |
| Presence required | 1 day per year | None | None |
| Time to citizenship | 10 years | 10 years | 7 years |
| Language test for citizenship | A Latvian language test | B1 Italian | B1 Greek + civics |
| Family included | Spouse, children under 18 | Spouse, children, parents | Spouse, children under 21, parents |
| Capital returned | Yes, when you sell your stake; the state payment is non-refundable | Bonds are; company stakes and donations aren't | Yes, when you sell or the investment matures |
| Schengen access | Yes, 90 days in any 180 | Yes, 90 days in any 180 | Yes, 90 days in any 180 |
Undecided between these programs? We compare them for you on the call.
How the Freedom Files Helps You with the Latvia Golden Visa
You get one team from your first call to your arrival in Latvia. We prepare, check, and file your application, and we're your single point of contact from start to finish.
- Clients served
- 200+
- years in investment migration
- 10+
- Americans educated
- 2M+
| This program only | Private Client Engagement | |
|---|---|---|
| An eligibility review before you pay a government fee | ||
| Your document file, assembled and optimized | ||
| We prepare and submit your application | ||
| Consular coordination and liaising | ||
| Qualifying investment vetting and due diligence | ||
| Your case manager | Through arrival | Long term |
| A global Plan B strategy across residency, citizenship, tax, asset protection, and more | ||
| Residency and/or citizenship in more than one country | ||
| US and foreign tax strategy, with introductions | ||
| Banking and asset protection strategy, with introductions | ||
| Healthcare, schools, and relocation, with introductions | ||
| Book a consult | Learn more |
Other Freedom Files Services in Latvia
We can take on each of these for you, alongside your application or on its own. Our Latvia team provides legal, tax, financial, immigration, and investment advice and services.
Tax strategy and filing
Bank account opening
Investment vetting
Real estate and accommodations
Healthcare enrollment
Residency renewals
“We came in with a complicated global setup and needed special attention. What we got from the Freedom Files team was direct, honest, and personal responsiveness at every turn. Exactly what we needed! Very impressed.”
Mike · New York“The Private Client Engagement has been perfect for our unique situation. James is the total quarterback of our whole Plan B strategy.”
Kenneth · Illinois
Why Latvia?
Forests, rivers, and castles
About half of Latvia is forest, and the castles and trails of the Gauja valley are about an hour from Riga.
A Baltic beach town
Jūrmala's long white-sand beach and wooden villas are about 30 minutes from central Riga.
A medieval old town
Riga's Old Town and its Art Nouveau quarter are a UNESCO World Heritage site, with cafés, concert halls, and cobbled squares.
The hub of the Baltics
Riga's airport is the largest in the Baltics, with direct flights across Europe, and Tallinn and Vilnius are a short trip away.
Latvia Golden Visa FAQs
Cost and qualifying routes
How much does the Latvia Golden Visa cost?
The lowest investment is €50K in the share capital of a smaller Latvian company, plus a non-refundable €10K state payment. On top, plan on €160 per person to review the application, €75 per person to register the permit, health insurance, translations, and the cost of forming the company and its accounting. The fee calculator adds it up for everyone applying.
Can you buy property to qualify for the Latvia Golden Visa?
Not for new applications. Latvia's 2026 Immigration Law closed the real estate and bank routes from 15 September 2026. Permits issued before then remain valid, and their holders can renew on the same basis. New applicants qualify through a Latvian company.
What does the company have to do?
On the €50K route, the company has no more than 50 employees and a yearly turnover or balance sheet of up to €10M, and it pays at least €40K/yr in Latvian taxes. On the €100K route, it's a larger company that pays at least €100K/yr. Your permit is valid only while the company meets its tax payments, so our Latvia team checks its books before you invest.
Is the €10K state payment refundable?
No. The €10K state payment is non-refundable, and you pay it once your permit is approved. Your investment in the company is separate: It's your stake, and you can sell it later for more or less than you put in.
Timeline and presence
How long does the Latvia Golden Visa take?
About 8 months from the start to your residence permit, including setting up the company and the investment. By law, the immigration office decides within 4 months of filing. You make 1 trip to Latvia, for biometrics.
How many days a year do you need to spend in Latvia?
Just 1 day a year to maintain your permit. If you want permanent residency or citizenship, though, you need to live in Latvia.
How long is the Latvia Golden Visa valid?
Up to 2 years on the company routes, renewable every 2 years as long as you own your stake and the company meets its tax payments. The state fund route, once it opens, gives a permit of up to 5 years.
Citizenship
Does the Latvia Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
Only if you move to Latvia. After 5 years of living there, you can apply for EU permanent residency with A2 Latvian and a course on Latvian history and culture. Citizenship can follow about 5 years later, with a Latvian language test. Latvia allows dual citizenship with EU and NATO countries, including the US and Canada.
Family, tax and living
Who can join your Latvia Golden Visa?
Your spouse and your children under 18. One investment covers everyone, and each family member pays the permit fees and receives a permit for the same term as yours.
Do you pay tax in Latvia with a Golden Visa?
Not from the permit alone. Latvia taxes you as a resident if you declare your residence there or spend 183 days or more in any 12 months, at 25.5% to 33% on worldwide income. Your company pays corporate income tax only on profits it distributes. If you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too.
Can you work in Latvia on the Golden Visa?
You can manage your own company. Taking a job with another employer can need its own permission, so we look at your plans before you file.
Is it right for you?
Latvia vs Greece Golden Visa: Which is better?
Latvia fits founders and business owners who want EU residency through a company of their own, from €50K. Greece fits investors who want real estate, from €250K, with a 5-year card. We compare both on a Freedom Consult.
Is the Latvia Golden Visa worth it?
For clients who want a base in the EU for a business they build or back, it is. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your goals and the company you have in mind, so book a Freedom Consult and we'll tell you on the call.
Documents and approval
What documents does the Latvia Golden Visa require?
Your passport, a photo, a criminal record check, health insurance, proof of means, proof of your stake and the company's tax payments, and civil records for anyone applying with you. Initial filings can be in English or Latvian. The document checklist on this page lists each one.
Working with the Freedom Files
What does the Freedom Files do on your application?
We review your eligibility, assemble and check your documents, and optimize your application for approval. We have a 100% approval rate so far. We prepare and file your application, liaise with the government, coordinate your consular appointments and communication, and support you through your arrival in Latvia, when your residency or citizenship is formalized. We're your single point of contact from start to finish.
Who does the legal work?
Our Latvia team can provide any legal, tax, financial, immigration, or investment advice and services you need. You work with one team from your first call to your arrival.
What does the Freedom Files charge?
Prices differ by program, because each program has its own costs and its own currency. You get a fixed quote in writing before any work begins. Government fees and third-party costs are listed separately, and you pay them directly.
How does the Freedom Files get paid?
We accept card, wire or ACH transfer, Bitcoin, USDC, and most other payment methods. You choose whether to pay for our services up front or monthly through the end of your engagement.
What if you need more than one country, or help with tax and banking?
That's what the Private Client Engagement is for. A long-term case manager with global expertise, always reachable on WhatsApp, manages your whole Plan B: Residency and citizenship in more than one country, tax strategy, banking and asset protection, and introductions for your move.
What if this program is the wrong fit?
Compare it with the alternatives on this page. Then book a Freedom Consult: If you're ready to move forward, we tell you which programs are best for you.
How do I start?
Book a Freedom Consult. There's no charge.
Start Your Latvia Golden Visa
If Latvia is the wrong fit, we tell you on the first call.