Latvia golden visa: Guide for UK residents

A Golden Visa is a type of residency-by-investment programme which allows foreign nationals to receive a residency permit (and sometimes even citizenship) in exchange for making a financial investment in the host country. In Latvia, your options as a UK resident range from purchasing property to buying government bonds.¹

This comprehensive guide breaks down what’s unique about Latvia’s Golden Visa programme, how to apply for one step-by-step, and the benefits of being a Golden Visa holder. We also address some of the most commonly asked questions about the Latvia Golden Visa.

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Key programme details: Latvia Golden Visa

• The visa can be acquired for a minimum investment of €60,000.
• Latvia Golden Visa holders aren’t required to remain in Latvia for a minimum number of days keep their residency permits
• Processing time for a visa typically takes between 1-3 months: one of the shortest waiting times of all Golden Visa programmes
• Latvia Golden Visa holders have access to the country’s universal public health care system, and high-quality public education

What is Latvia’s Golden Visa?

Latvia’s Golden Visa programme (officially the Latvian Residency by Investment Programme) allows non-EU citizens to obtain residency in Latvia -- and in turn visa-free access to the Schengen Area in exchange for different types of investment.

Launched in 2010, it was one of the first and most affordable Golden Visa programmes within the EU. And it remains one of the most desirable, giving investors and their families the chance to live, work and study in the beautiful Baltic nation known for its high quality of life and comparatively low cost of living.¹

Benefits of the Latvia Golden Visa²

Residency advantages

Investors - in addition to their spouse and children - receive a temporary residency permit for 5 years. They can also receive permanent residency after 5 years, and citizenship after 10 years, under certain conditions.

Business and economic advantages

Residents can start or run a business in Latvia and the EU market. Latvia has both low corporate and personal income tax rates compared to what UK residents pay.

Healthcare

Residents and their dependents receive access to the Latvian public healthcare system, which provides universal coverage.

Educational opportunities

Golden Visa holders (and their family) can access the Latvian public education system. In cities, this often includes international schools and universities offering programmes in both English and Russian.

General quality of life

Latvia provides a good quality of life: a low crime rate, modern amenities, good public transport, and lower cost of living than many Western European countries..

Eligibility Criteria for Latvia Golden Visa: Who qualifies?³

The Latvia Golden Visa is open to all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, and have no outstanding tax liabilities worldwide.

They’ll also need to demonstrate that the invested funds come from legal sources.

Furthermore, applicants will need to show that they can support themselves, and aren’t relying on state social assistance. Single applicants should demonstrate that they have €15,480 per year at their disposal, while for those with a family the bar rises to €22,188.¹

Since 2022, the programme has no longer been open to citizens of Russia or Belarus.

Latvia Golden Visa Requirements⁴

The following is a list of the documents you’ll need in order to apply for the Latvia Golden Visa.

• A completed residence permit application form (with a photo) and a valid passport
• Proof of investment: for example, share certificates or company registration (business route), property purchase documents (real estate route) or proof of bank deposit
• Proof of health insurance for the main applicant, and their dependants if applicable
• Certificants proving that there’s no criminal record, and in many cases a TB/medical certificate
• Foreign documents need to be legalised from an apostille and translated into Latvian (or an approved language)

The residence permit is initially valid for five years and can be renewed, provided that the qualifying investment is maintained throughout this period. There is no strict minimum stay requirement to renew the temporary residence permit.

Keep in mind though: to qualify for permanent residency, you must have legally resided in Latvia for at least four out of five years.

Investment Options and Pathways to Latvian Residency

Types of Eligible Investments⁵

• Purchasing real estate: You can buy either a residential or commercial property which you cannot co-own (unless with your spouse) in Latvia. You’ll need to hold on to this property for at least five years in order to maintain the Golden Visa. You can live in it yourself, rent it out, or use it as an investment object.
• Investing in a Latvian company: The company can already be in operation, or newly established. In either case, it needs to support real economic activity in Latvia, meaning that the company needs to operate, employ staff, and pay taxes. In other words: Passive shell companies don’t qualify.
• Making a large deposit at a Latvian bank: The only passive investment route for the Latvia Golden Visa, this means that you place a subordinated loan or long-term deposit at a Latvian bank or credit institution (licensed by the Bank of Latvia/Latvijas Banka).
• Purchasing Latvian government bonds: The bonds are held by the investor, and while they won’t gain interest, can be received back after 5 years.

Latvian Golden Visa Costs and Fees⁶

The following are the costs associated with the different types of investment, plus general application fees.

• A real estate purchase at a minimum value of €250,000, plus a 5 percent state fee on the property’s purchase price.
• A business investment, for small or medium sized enterprises, of at least €50,000, plus a state fee of €10,000.
• For larger enterprises (exceeding 50 employees or €10 million turnover), an investment of at least €100,000 is required.
• A bank deposit of at least €280,000 at a Latvian credit institution as a fixed-term deposit. That means you won’t be able to withdraw the funds for at least 5 years, and will also need to pay €25,000 to the state.
• Purchasing government bonds worth at least €250,000, plus paying a state fee of €38,000.
• An additional application fee of €160 applies. This increases to €280 for a processing time of 10 working days, and €560 for 5 working days.

The following chart gives a breakdown of what each type of investment costs, as well as the typical investor profile.

Route	Minimum Investment	State Fee	Duration	Involvement	Typical investor profile
Real estate	€250,000	€5,000	5 years	Low-medium	Families seeking home or rental property
Business investment	€50,000–€100,000	€10,000	5 years	high	Entrepreneur or business owners
Bank deposit	€280,000	€25,000	5 years	Very low	Passive investors
Government bond	€250,000	€38,000	5 years	Very low	Passive investors

How to Apply for the Latvia Golden Visa

If you’re putting in all of the effort (not to mention funds) to qualify for a Latvia Golden Visa, you’ll want to make sure that your application is as strong as possible.

Below we break down the steps to applying for the visa, and shed some light on how to prepare a successful application.

Step-by-Step Application Process⁷

While the individual application process will vary for everyone based on their type of investment, we give a general breakdown of what you can expect.

1. Choose your investment route based on your personal finances, long-term goals and how involved you’d like to be.
2. Verify your eligibility.
3. Complete the investment: Depending on your investment route, this could mean registering the company, completing a real estate purchase, or depositing funds at a Latvian bank. Be sure to keep all official proof of your investment.
4. Gather all of the required documentation.
5. Submit your application to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in Latvia or a Latvian consulate abroad.
6. Wait for approval while the OCMA reviews your documents, verifies your investment and conducts a background check. Be prepared to wait around 1-3 months, unless you’ve paid for expedited processing.
7. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an invitation to travel to Latvia to provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photos) and, last but not least, collect your golden visa.

But the process does not end here: you’ll need to keep your investment active for at least five years, and renew your residence permit before it expires if you intend to stay in Latvia for the longer term.

Tips for a Successful Application⁷

• Make sure that your investment route aligns well with your long-term plans. A financial advisor familiar with Latvia can help you outline your goals.
• Keep transparent proof legal funds for your investment (such as bank statements, sale agreements, or company financials)
• Submit fully translated and apostilled documents to avoid delays.
• Include proof of payment for state contributions or fees.
• For real estate: keep title deeds, property tax receipts, and rental agreements.
• For bank deposits and government bonds: maintain statements showing the funds remain in the institution for the required period.
• Submit your application well in advance of when you hope to start your residency, since processing can take 1-3 months.
• And very importantly: Consider hiring legal or immigration consultants familiar with Latvian law. They can assist with due diligence, investment structuring, and preparing your documents.

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FAQs on Latvia’s Golden Visa

Can I include my spouse and children on the application?

Yes. The main applicant can include a spouse and dependent children on their application. Just be sure to prepare all of their legal documents such as birth and marriage certificates at the same time so that your application is processed without any delays.

I would like to live in Latvia full-time with my family. Which Golden Visa route makes the most sense?

The “best” route for you depends on your financial capacity, lifestyle preference and long-term goals. Especially if you’re moving to Latvia with family, the real estate purchase route could be a very sound option. You’ll immediately have a home to live in, and it can also provide some rental income.

But if you’re looking for a lower upfront cost, business investment is ideal, especially if you want to be actively involved in running or investing in a Latvian company. If you’re looking for a passive, hands-on approach, and have the capital to invest, then a bank deposit might just be your best bet.

Do I need to live in Latvia full time in order to keep the Golden Visa?

No, one of the attractive features of the Golden Visa is that there’s no strict requirement on full time residency in Latvia in order to keep the temporary 5-year visa. Note, however, that you might need to spend a more significant amount of time in Latvia if you’re looking to apply for permanent residency or citizenship down the line. You’ll also need to visit at least once per year to maintain the Golden Visa.⁷

How can Golden Visa holders receive Latvian permanent residency or citizenship?

After at least five years of receiving the Golden Visa, you can then apply for permanent residency. You should have resided in the country for four out of the five years, and will need to successfully pass a Latvia language test at the A2 level. You’ll also need to prove that you have a general knowledge of Latvia and its national anthem.¹

You can apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residence, although in most cases you’ll need to renounce your former citizenship to do so.

Is the Latvia Golden Visa program still open? Are there any risks involved with it?

The programme is currently fully operational, although there have been proposed reforms, including the suspension of Golden Visas for some nationalities and proposals to abolish investor residence routes entirely.⁸

This is currently off the table, but as with all golden visa programmes, there is a risk that eligibility criteria, investment thresholds, or even the programme’s future availability could change. Applicants should check up-to-date official information and consult legal advice before proceeding.

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Sources used:

1. Henley and Partners - Latvia Golden Visa
2. Immigration Global - Latvia Visa by Investment
3. Get Golden Visa - Eligibility Criteria of Latvian Golden Visa
4. Get Golden Visa - Latvia Golden Visa Requirements
5. Get Golden Visa - Investment Options for Latvia Golden Visa
6. Immigrant Invest - Latvia Golden Visa
7. Citizen Global Solutions - Latvia Golden Visa
8. CitizenX - Guide to Citizenship by Investment in Latvia

Sources last checked on date: 02-Nov-2025