If you want to apply for citizenship in Latvia, you are welcome to get in touch with our Latvian lawyers. They will not only provide you with guidance but also practically assist you throughout the procedure of acquiring the Latvian citizenship.
| Short Facts | |
| Types of citizenship in Latvia | – by birth, – by descent, – by naturalization |
| Legislation | Latvian Nationality Law |
| Latvian citizenship by descent | If one or both parents are Latvian citizens. |
| Citizenship by birth | If born in Latvia to stateless parents or parents with unknown nationality |
| Citizenship by naturalization | The most popular option. Requirements refer to: – minimum residency, – language skills, – knowledge of the culture & history of Latvia, etc. |
| Latvian citizenship & investments | Investing at least EUR 50,000 in a business for getting residency first, and then following the conditions to obtain citizenship |
| Citizenship by marriage in Latvia | Cannot be obtained right after marrying a Latvian citizen. |
| Residency requirement | Candidates must have legally resided in Latvia for at least 5 years. |
| Family members application | Children, parents, and grandparents can be included in the Latvian citizenship application. |
| Language requirements (YES/NO) | YES. A language test is imposed. |
| Financial conditions | Applicants must prove they have a legal source of income in Latvia. |
| Application review | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its local agencies, reviews the citizenship application before approval. |
| Document translation | Documents drafted in a foreign language must be translated and legalized before submitting the citizenship application. |
| Benefits of Latvian citizenship | Access to: – social services, – education, – visa-free travel, etc. |
| Legal assistance | Our lawyers in Latvia can offer personalized guidance in all immigration-related matters. Complete legal services are available at budget-friendly costs. |
Latvian citizenship requirements
If you are seeking legal help to observe the Latvian citizenship requirements, you can interact with our lawyers. They can help you understand the set of requirements that is necessary to satisfy. However, you can also find below general information about those requirements:
- as per the Latvian Citizenship law, an applicant must pass the Latvian language proficiency test;
- the applicant should know Latvia’s national anthem text;
- the candidate is also required to know the Latvian Constitution’s basic provisions.
The following infographic details some of the requirements for getting citizenship in Latvia:
How long does it take to process a Latvian citizenship application?
There are two steps in the procedure:
- The preparatory step, which typically lasts 1-2 months, is used to locate any documents that are missing from Latvian archival institutions, legalize the documents, create the relevant forms and applications, etc;
- The statutory period for consideration by the authorities throughout the application processing stage is 4–12 months (depending on the category under which one applies). However, the decision is typically taken considerably more quickly by the authorities.
In less problematic cases, the entire process may take up to 2-2,5 months, but this will mostly depend on the workload of the Latvian Citizenship Office. Our lawyers can also guide you about Latvian citizenship requirements so that you can apply efficiently on the first attempt. Below is a video presentation with information on Latvian citizenship:
Latvian citizenship by descent
You can be eligible for citizenship by descent in Latvia if any of your direct ancestors were of Latvian origin. Anyone who meets the necessary qualifications may apply for a Latvian passport. People of Latvian descent who have never been citizens of Latvia may get citizenship in this country under a simplified procedure, regardless of their current permanent residence. You can prove Latvian descent by submitting documents that prove that one of your parents or grandparents is/was a Latvian. If you are planning to apply for Latvian citizenship by descent, our lawyers can assist you. Our attorneys can also assist you if you want to open a firm in Latvia. Reach out to ourLatvian attorneys for details.
Eligibility criteria for Latvian citizenship by descent
If you want to apply for citizenship by descent in Latvia, you must know that, as of October 1, 2013, those who meet the following requirements may obtain dual citizenship:
- people who have obtained citizenship in another country that is a member of the European Union, European Free Trade Association, NATO, Australia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, or New Zealand may also preserve their Latvian citizenship with approval from the Cabinet of Ministers. Latvia has bilateral agreements with these countries for dual citizenship;
- exiles or Latvians who have lived in Latvian territory since 1881 or later are entitled to keep their dual citizenship with any other nation. Our lawyers can also further guide you about Latvian citizenship requirements;
- a person who has obtained citizenship in Latvia may also have citizenship in some other countries.
If you are interested in applying for Latvian citizenship by descent, you can get in touch with our lawyers. They can explain whether you can acquire dual citizenship in Latvia or not. The immigration lawyers at our law firm in Latvia can also help you throughout the relocation procedure if you are seeking practical assistance to move to Latvia.
Latvian citizenship by marriage
The spouse of a citizen of Latvia does not immediately acquire citizenship. He/she can, however, easily apply to live and work anywhere in the EU and has the right to be reunited with his/her spouse. As a spouse of a Latvian citizen, you can get the following advantages:
- you are allowed to live in the EU with your spouse, who is a citizen of Latvia;
- you do not have to provide documentation of your education, employment history, age, or criminal history. Usually, the right to reunite with family justifies granting residency.
- as the spouse of a Latvian citizen, you are granted the right to work, study, and move to any EU member state with your spouse (with minimal paperwork involved).
To apply for Latvian citizenship through investment, you must invest at least EUR 280.000 and pay a EUR 25.000 fee to the State budget. You may eventually be eligible for citizenship as well as for permanent residency. This is only granted after five continuous years of legal residency in Latvia. You should investigate the regulations in the nation where you plan to relocate. Or you can simply consult with the lawyers located at our law firm in Latvia. They can guide you on how to acquire Latvian citizenship by marriage.
Citizenship updates in 2026
If you want to apply for Latvian citizenship in 2026, you should review the following updates:
- Permanent residency is the first step in obtaining Latvian nationality. Candidates must prove Latvian proficiency at the B1 level. Also, people with permanent residency for 5 years in Latvia who leave the country for more than 183 days per year may not qualify for citizenship.
- Those who apply for the Golden visa, the path to citizenship by investments, must purchase property worth at least EUR 250,000 in Riga to be able to enter this program.
- In total, foreigners with residency in Latvia must live in this country for 5 years with a temporary permit and another 5 years with a permanent one to be able to apply for citizenship.
Contact our law firm in Latvia if you need legal services for immigration purposes. Our lawyers can help you get citizenship in Latvia by marriage.
Furthermore, if you need assistance to register for value-added tax (VAT), our lawyers can also guide you in this matter.