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Latvia dual citizenship with Russia: can you keep both passports in 2026

10 min read ·

Latvia allows dual citizenship only with the EU, NATO and a few other states, and Russia is not on the list. We cover who can keep the Russian passport, naturalisation, children, military service and taxes.

In short

With a condition: naturalisation and registration of citizenship by descendants of 1940 citizens require renouncing Russian citizenship, while Latvians, Livs and descendants of 1940-1990 exiles keep any passport.

Previous passport on naturalisationWith conditions
Country ruleWith Latvian roots you keep your old passport. Ordinary naturalisation requires renunciation unless you hold an EU, EFTA, NATO, Australian, Brazilian or New Zealand passport
Legal basisSection 9 of the Latvian Citizenship Law
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but Latvian law allows a second passport only from an approved list of countries. So for Russian citizens everything depends on the basis on which you obtain Latvian citizenship.

What Latvia requires on naturalisation

Citizenship is governed by the Latvian Citizenship Law. Section 9 allows dual citizenship with EU, EFTA and NATO states, as well as Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and countries with which Latvia has an agreement. Russia is not on this list, so Russian citizens renounce their previous citizenship on naturalisation.

Naturalisation under Section 12 requires at least 5 years of permanent residence in Latvia on a permanent residence permit, fluent Latvian, knowledge of the Constitution, the anthem, the basics of history and culture, a legal source of income and an oath of loyalty. The application fee is 28.46 euros, about $32. A Russian citizen gets permanent residence no earlier than after 5 years on a temporary permit and with basic Latvian, so the whole route takes at least 10 years.

Since 15 September 2026 a new Immigration Law has applied: property and deposits no longer give residence, and all investment grounds are closed to Russian citizens. The route to citizenship can now start through work, study, family or Latvian origin.

Exiles of 1940-1990 and their descendants, as well as ethnic Latvians and Livs fluent in Latvian, obtain Latvian citizenship without giving up the Russian passport. Descendants of Latvian citizens as of 17 June 1940 register citizenship without an exam, but must give up Russian citizenship.

What Russia requires

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but inside the country treats you only as a Russian citizen (Article 10 of Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship).

  • Within 60 days of receiving the second passport, file a notification with the Interior Ministry (MVD). If you are abroad at that moment, the period runs from the day you enter Russia.
  • Attach a copy of the foreign passport or another document proving the citizenship.
  • Failure to notify falls under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code: a fine of up to $2,400 or up to one year of income, or up to 400 hours of compulsory work.
  • Late or incomplete notification: a fine of $10-15 under Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
  • A residence permit abroad must be reported under the same rules (Article 11 of Law No. 138-FZ).

A Russian citizen with a second passport may not hold state or municipal office, serve in government bodies or stand for election. The duties of a Russian citizen, including military service, remain, and inside Russia the second passport is not taken into account.

How to keep both passports: step by step

  1. Check your basis. If your ancestors were Latvians, Livs or exiles of 1940-1990, the Russian passport can be kept.
  2. For naturalisation, obtain permanent residence after 5 years on a temporary permit and a basic Latvian exam.
  3. Live another 5 years with permanent residence and pass exams in the language, Constitution, anthem, history and culture.
  4. Apply to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and pay the 28.46 euro fee, about $32.
  5. Leave Russian citizenship through a consulate: a decision takes up to 6 months, and Latvian citizenship is not granted without the renunciation document.
  6. Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Renunciation is refused with unpaid taxes, fines, enforcement proceedings or a criminal case in Russia, so debts are settled before applying.

What happens to children

A child with at least one Latvian citizen parent acquires Latvian citizenship by birth, and with the other parent a Russian citizen usually Russian too. If the second citizenship is not from the approved list, as with Russian, one of them must be chosen by age 25, or the Latvian one ends. Children under 15 are included in a parent's naturalisation application.

Taxes and military service

You become a Latvian tax resident with 183 days in the country within 12 months or a permanent home here. Income tax is 25.5% on income up to 105,300 euros a year and 33% above. There has been no double taxation treaty between Latvia and Russia since 2024, so you can be a resident of both countries and pay tax twice.

Since 2023 Latvia has had state defence service: male citizens aged 18 to 27 serve 11 months. The military duty of a Russian citizen remains until you leave Russian citizenship.

Common mistakes

  • Counting on dual citizenship through naturalisation. There is none with Russia: Latvian citizenship is not granted without the renunciation document.
  • Planning a route through property. Since 15 September 2026 buying a home or a deposit gives no residence, and all investment grounds are closed to Russian citizens.
  • Forgetting a child's choice by 25. Without a choice the Latvian citizenship ends.
  • Breaking residence. For permanent residence, absences may not exceed 6 months in a row or a year in total.
  • Ignoring taxes. Without a treaty with Russia, Russian income can be taxed in both countries.

How to get Latvian citizenship

For Russian citizens without Latvian roots there is one route: a residence permit through work, study or family, permanent status after 5 years, naturalisation with exams after another 5 years and renouncing Russian citizenship. Latvians, Livs and descendants of exiles obtain citizenship without renunciation, and descendants of 1940 citizens without an exam but with leaving Russian citizenship.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page Latvian citizenship.

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

Latvian citizenship without mistakes in the basis

The law does not stop you applying for Latvian citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: the wrong basis, debts in Russia that block renunciation, breaks in residence and a missed choice of citizenship for a child. We check whether you can keep the Russian passport, prepare the origin or naturalisation documents and plan the Russian renunciation without a gap. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process.

The cost of support depends on the route and family size; our consultant in the chat will calculate it.

Talk to a consultant now

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

More on this country:

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

FAQ

Can you hold Latvian and Russian citizenship at the same time?
With a condition: naturalisation and registration of citizenship by descendants of 1940 citizens require renouncing Russian citizenship, while Latvians, Livs and descendants of 1940-1990 exiles keep any passport.
Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Latvian citizenship?
Yes. A Russian citizen notifies the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days under Article 10 of Law No. 138-FZ; failing to notify carries criminal liability under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Does Latvia allow dual citizenship?
Yes, but only with EU, NATO and EFTA states, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and countries with an agreement. Russia is not on the list.
Do I have to renounce Russian citizenship to become Latvian?
For naturalisation and registration by descendants of 1940 citizens, yes. Latvians, Livs and descendants of 1940-1990 exiles keep the Russian passport.
How many years must you live in Latvia before citizenship?
5 years with a permanent residence permit, which a Russian citizen gets after 5 years on a temporary permit. At least 10 years in total.
What exams are needed for Latvian citizenship?
Fluent Latvian and knowledge of the Constitution, the anthem and the basics of Latvian history and culture.
Will a child have Latvian and Russian citizenship?
Yes, by birth, if one parent is a Latvian citizen. But one citizenship must be chosen by age 25, or the Latvian one ends.
Is there compulsory military service in Latvia?
Yes, since 2023 male citizens aged 18 to 27 do 11 months of state defence service.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

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