One of Europe’s earliest such programs, Latvia’s Golden Visa has been operational since 2010 and saw its investor migrant application volume peak in 2014, a year during which Latvia approved some 2,500 applicants. Application volume has grown considerably more modest since then.
With a minimum investment threshold of just €50,000, it also offers one of the continent’s most affordable routes to permanent EU residency.
Latvian residency also offers a path to eventual EU citizenship, but only following at least ten years of physical residency and subject to knowledge of Latvian history and language.
Applicants may choose from the following investment options:
After determining the investment option, the applicant gathers the required documents and submits the application, including the application fees, to the authorities. The investor is required to commit to the investment at this stage. After approval, the applicant is required to travel within 3 months to Latvia to give his biometrics, obtain his ID and residence permit, and to finalize his investment. The permit is valid for five years.
Latvian permanent residency is available after the applicant has resided in the country for a minimum of five years. The applicant needs to physically live in Latvia and have have resided in the country for a minimum of four of those years. Additionally, he will need to have knowledge of the language, general history, and national anthem of Latvia.
After and additional five years of residency, the investor may apply for citizenship. Dual citizenship is recognized for many countries, but not all.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Applications for this program may be directed to Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Legislation upon which this program is based on Immigration Law Section 23, Paragraph one, Clause 28.
As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:
Most digital nomad visas function as long-stay tourist visas. These 11 programs offer something different: codified paths to PR and citizenship in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Real estate investment has rebounded, and Turkish applicants lead. Latvia is on pace for its strongest year since 2021.
EU Law Firm explores the reasons that make Latvia’s Golden Visa a simple and elegant route to EU residency
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.
