Moving to Latvia in 2026

Moving to Latvia: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Since September 2022 Latvia has not issued ordinary visas to Russian citizens except in certain humanitarian and family cases, and investor grounds are closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens. For other foreigners a new immigration law has applied since 15 September 2026: buying property or a bank deposit no longer gives residence, while work, the EU Blue Card, investment in the capital of a Latvian company, study and family remain.

1. Before the trip. Check your ground: for Russian citizens, family of a Latvian or European Union citizen or resident or a humanitarian case; for others, work, a company or study.
2. Days 1-30. File residence documents with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, register your place of residence, open a bank account.
3. Days 30-90. The decision, the residence card and a personal code for taxes, doctors and banking.

Heating is a noticeable winter expense, especially in older buildings. A family budget depends on its size and the residence ground; we calculate it in the chat. Exchange rate: about $1.12 per euro on 5 October 2026.

Latvia in brief

Latvia is a country on the Baltic Sea with about 1.86 million people. It joined the European Union and NATO in 2004 and the Schengen area in 2007, and adopted the euro in 2014. The capital is Riga, the largest city in the Baltics. The state language is Latvian; Russian is widely understood day to day, but Latvian is required in government offices and public-sector jobs.

Latvia suits European Union citizens, professionals with a contract, entrepreneurs who need a European Union company with profit tax only on distribution, and descendants of citizens of pre-war Latvia. Since 15 September 2026 the conditions for investors from third countries have tightened noticeably.

How to move in 2026

• European Union citizens - registering your address is enough.
• Employment - a residence permit sponsored by an employer, or the EU Blue Card for highly skilled specialists.
• Investors - since 15 September 2026, under the new immigration law, buying property and bank deposits no longer give residence. What remains is investing at least €50,000, about $56,100, in a Latvian company's capital plus €10,000 to the state budget; the promised option through a €150,000 state fund is not yet operational. Details are on the page Latvian residence by investment.
• Study and family - separate grounds for students and relatives of residents.
• Descendants of Latvians and Livs - a 5-year temporary residence permit; repatriate status has not been granted since 1 January 2024.

Investor grounds are closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens, and since 2022 they have not been issued ordinary visas except in certain humanitarian and family cases. We choose the residence ground and handle the documents and filing end to end.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residence can be obtained after 5 years on temporary permits, with elementary Latvian. Naturalisation comes after a further 5 years of permanent residence, with an exam in language, history and the constitution. On naturalisation, dual citizenship is kept only by citizens of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, NATO, Australia, Brazil and New Zealand; others give up their previous citizenship.

Descendants of Latvian citizens as of 17 June 1940 register citizenship without an exam, with no limit on generations, but Russian citizens must renounce Russian citizenship. Exiles of 1940-1990, Latvians and Livs may keep any citizenship. Details are on the page Latvian citizenship by descent.

Taxes

Since 2025 income tax has been 25.5% on income up to €105,300 a year and 33% above, with an extra 3% on income over €200,000. The tax-free allowance in 2026 is €550 a month. Total social contributions on salary are 34.09%. Corporate tax is 20%, but it is paid only on distributed profit: as long as money stays in the company, there is no tax. VAT is 21%. There has been no double tax treaty with Russia since 1 January 2024. Details are on the page taxes in Latvia.

Property

Foreigners buy flats in cities freely, while citizens of third countries face restrictions on buying land in rural and border areas. Registering title costs a state duty of about 1.5-2% of the price, and an annual property tax is set by the municipality. Since 15 September 2026 buying a home does not give residence. We source and check properties on the page property in Latvia.

Business and accounts

A limited liability company is registered with the Register of Enterprises in a few days, the minimum capital is small, and profit tax on reinvested earnings is zero. Banks scrutinise foreign owners and the source of funds. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Cost of living

• Rent in Riga - a one-bedroom flat in the centre usually costs from €450 a month, about $510, less in residential districts.
• Transport - a single ride costs about €1.50 and a monthly pass €30.
• Groceries and services - cheaper than in Scandinavia and Germany but pricier than in Eastern Europe.
• Heating - a noticeable winter expense, especially in older buildings.

Where to live

• Riga - jobs, schools and an airport with direct flights across Europe; newcomers choose the quiet centre, Āgenskalns and Ķīpsala across the river, and green Teika and Mežaparks. More in the Riga guide.
• Jūrmala - a seaside resort town half an hour from Riga.
• Sigulda and Cēsis - nature, castles and a quiet life an hour away.
• Liepāja and Ventspils - port cities in the west with affordable housing.
• Daugavpils - the second city, in the east.

Practicalities

• Climate. Mild summers and cold, dark winters, with snow from December to March.
• Healthcare. The public system is open to residents, and private clinics are well developed in Riga.
• Schools. Riga has international schools with an English curriculum; state schools teach in Latvian.
• Digital services. Most public services and banks work online with a personal code and an electronic signature.

Who Latvia suits

Pros: the European Union and Schengen, moderate prices, the sea nearby, convenient flights across Europe, profit tax only on distribution and citizenship by descent with no limit on generations. Cons: high taxes on salaries, cold winters, routes closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens and narrower investor programmes since September 2026. Latvia suits European Union citizens, professionals, entrepreneurs and descendants of citizens of pre-war Latvia. Write in the chat and we will check which ground for living in Latvia is open to you.