Latvia — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
1,829,000 people · Capital: Riga · Northern Europe
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Latvia is located in Northern Europe, with a population of 1,829,000. Its currency is the euro. Our database tracks 27 visa pathways for Latvia, each linked to a named source.
See also: Latvia country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (27)
Sponsored Employment (5)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A person, who is registered in the Commercial Register as a member of the partnership, who has the right to represent the partnership, member of the board, member of the council, procurator, administrator, liquidator or person, who is authorised to represent (foreign merchant) in activities related to the branch | €3,630/mo | €160 | 60 mo | — |
| Employment contract or company agreement | €3,630/mo | €100 | 60 mo | 30d |
| EU Blue Card (Highly-Qualified Employment) | €2,723/mo | €100 | 60 mo | 14d |
| Long-Term Employment Sponsorship (Third-Country National) | €3,630/mo | €45 | — | 14d |
| Short-Term Visa with Right to Employment (Latvia) | €1,815/mo | €90 | 60 mo | 14d |
Entrepreneur & Business (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovative product creation or development (start-up activities) | €500/mo | €160 | 36 mo | — |
| Start-up Founder Residence Permit | €2,340/mo | €80 | — | 14d |
Investment / Golden Visa (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person investing in bonds | €500/mo | €38,000 | 60 mo | — |
| Real estate owner (from 01.07.2016) | €1,500/mo | €160 | 60 mo | — |
| Share capital investor | €500/mo | €160 | 60 mo | — |
Retirement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Visa (Pensioner) | €784/mo | €160 | 60 mo | — |
Study (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Residence Permit (Latvia) | €780/mo | €45 | 12 mo | 14d |
| Studies at an accredited higher educational establishment | €620/mo | — | — | — |
Research & Academia (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mutual scientific cooperation | €900/mo | €100 | 60 mo | — |
| person after completion of studies or research project | €780/mo | €780 | 6 mo | — |
Working Holiday (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia Working Holiday Scheme | — | — | — | — |
Family Reunification (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a spouse and minor child of a foreigner who stays in Latvia on the basis of the temporary residence permit | €500/mo | €150 | 12 mo | 30d |
| Family Reunion Temporary Residence Permit (Latvia) | €780/mo | €45 | — | 14d |
Ancestry & Descent (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child born abroad if one or both parents are Latvian citizens at the time the birth of the of child | — | €28 | — | 30d |
| Latvian exiles and their descendants | — | €28 | — | — |
Free Movement (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss Right of Residence (Latvia, registration) | — | — | — | — |
| Service provider | — | €160 | — | — |
General Residence (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Permit (>90 days) | €2,500/mo | €45 | 12 mo | 14d |
Permanent Settlement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residence Permit | €1,250/mo | €45 | — | 14d |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation (Latvian Citizenship by Naturalisation) | €28/mo | €28 | — | 270d |
Religious Workers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religious activity | €780/mo | €160 | 12 mo | 30d |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Visa (Short-Stay, ≤90 days) | — | €90 | 3 mo | 15d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Latvia | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €366 | €1,200 | -70% |
| Rent (3BR) | €950 | €2,000 | -52% |
| Groceries | €196 | €350 | -44% |
| Transport | €68 | €80 | -15% |
| Utilities | €95 | €150 | -37% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €19,000 |
| Education | €14,000 |
| Engineering | €24,000 |
| Finance | €28,000 |
| Healthcare | €16,500 |
| Hospitality | €12,000 |
| IT | €42,000 |
| Retail | €11,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Developer (Information Technology)
- Registered Nurse (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineer (Engineering)
- Truck Driver (Transportation)
- Electrician (Construction)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Latvia | 601 | 42 | €4,500 |
| Riga Technical University | 801 | 38 | €5,200 |
| Daugavpils University | — | 28 | €3,800 |
| Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies | — | 22 | €4,200 |
| Riga Stradins University | — | 35 | €6,500 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 25 of the 25 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 26 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- pmlp.gov.lv · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-09
- pmlp.gov.lv · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- pmlp.gov.lv · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-08
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- pmlp.gov.lv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Innovative product creation or development (start-up activities) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Startup/innovative product TRP; subsistence €500/mo; permit up to 3 years” — pmlp.gov.lv
Minimum investment: “The required subsistence is 500 euros per month. If family members come with you, the required subsistence is 500 euros per month for an adult and 150 euros per month for a minor.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-07
A person, who is registered in the Commercial Register as a member of the partnership, who has the right to represent the partnership, member of the board, member of the council, procurator, administrator, liquidator or person, who is authorised to represent (foreign merchant) in activities related to the branch · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Commercial register member/board; subsistence €3,630/mo (2× avg gross wage Apr 2026)” — vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv
Minimum income: “the work remuneration or income from commercial activities...in accordance with double the average gross monthly work remuneration...if foreigners referred to in Section 23, Paragraph one, Clauses 2, 3, and 4...request a residence permit and their residence is related to…” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Studies at an accredited higher educational establishment · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “a document confirming he state duty payment; [the page requires proof of state-duty payment but does not state the amount].” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-07
Savings / proof of funds: “the required subsistence is 620 euros per month. If family members come with you, the required subsistence is 620 euros per month for an adult and 150 euros per month for a minor.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Start-up Founder Residence Permit · 2 verified requirements
Minimum income: “financial resources in the amount of three times the minimum monthly wage, if a foreigner requests a residence permit in accordance with Section 23, Part One, Clause 29 of the Immigration Law – 2340 eiro” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Minimum investment: “The required subsistence is 500 euros per month. If family members come with you, the required subsistence is 500 euros per month for an adult and 150 euros per month for a minor.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-07
Short-Term Visa with Right to Employment (Latvia) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “long-stay (D) visa standard request EUR 90 (was 45 — stale); employer pays EUR 85 per invited person” — pmlp.gov.lv
Minimum income: “the amount of financial means required for the foreigner is not less than the average gross monthly wage of working persons in the Republic of Latvia for the previous year – 1815 eiro” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Residence permit for pensioners of visa-free countries · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Pensioner from visa-free country; subsistence €1,231/mo (Apr 2026); retirement age req” — pmlp.gov.lv
Minimum income: “the required subsistence is 784 euros per month. If family members come with you, the required subsistence is 500 euros per month for an adult and 150 euros per month for a minor.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-06-26
Religious activity · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Religious activity TRP; subsistence €780/mo (general minimum); permit up to 1 year” — likumi.lv
Minimum income: “financial resources in accordance with the minimum monthly wage, in cases not provided for in Sub-clauses 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6 – 780 euros” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
person after completion of studies or research project · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Official state-fee tiers for this exact reason (E4.1): EUR 160 (30-day standard), EUR 280 (10 working days), EUR 560 (5 working days). Standard/lowest tier used as the base fee_eur. The 780 previously stored here was actually the subsistence-means figure (moved to…” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-08
Minimum income: “Necessary means of subsistence for this exact reason (E4.1, page_id=2771): EUR 780 — this is the correct field for this figure, not fee_eur. Founder-reviewed resolution 2026-07-08.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-08
EU Blue Card (Highly-Qualified Employment) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/start-founders-european-union-blue-card-applicants” — pmlp.gov.lv
Minimum income: “the work remuneration...by applying the coefficient 1.5 if a residence permit is requested by a foreigner who wishes to receive the European Union Blue Card – 2723 eiro” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
a spouse and minor child of a foreigner who stays in Latvia on the basis of the temporary residence permit · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “the minimum monthly work remuneration in the Republic of Latvia is 780 EUR ... financial resources in accordance with the minimum monthly wage, in cases not provided for in Sub-clauses 11.1-11.6 of the Regulations – 780 euros; necessary subsistence for a minor child – 234 euros.…” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
mutual scientific cooperation · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “the required subsistence is 500 euros per month. If family members come with you, the required subsistence is 500 euros per month for an adult and 150 euros per month for a minor.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Student Residence Permit (Latvia) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “the required subsistence is 620 euros per month.” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Long-Term Employment Sponsorship (Third-Country National) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “the work remuneration or income from commercial activities...in accordance with double the average gross monthly work remuneration...if foreigners referred to in Section 23, Paragraph one, Clauses 2, 3, and 4...request a residence permit and their residence is related to…” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Employment contract or company agreement · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Fees for examination of documents submitted for application: - up to 30 days – 100 euros, - up to 10 working days – 200 euros, - up to 5 working days – 400 euros. [https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/employed-worker-latvia_en]” — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
Family Reunion Temporary Residence Permit (Latvia) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “financial resources in accordance with the minimum monthly wage, in cases not provided for in Sub-clauses 11.1, 11.2., 11.3., 11.4., 11.5. and 11.6 of the Regulations – 780 euros; necessary subsistence for a minor child – 234 euros.” — pmlp.gov.lv
NZ Working Holiday Scheme · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “confirmation that he/she has sufficient funds to provide for himself/herself during the beginning of the stay (780 euro) and to pay for the return trip (if there is no return ticket)” — pmlp.gov.lv, 2026-07-09
Service provider · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Service provider (EU/EEA/CH-employed); subsistence €1,277/mo; employer designation req” — pmlp.gov.lv
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Latvia have?
Our database tracks 27 visa pathways for Latvia across 15 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Investment / Golden Visa, Research & Academia. Each entry links to a named source — 96% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the Retirement Visa (Pensioner)?
The Retirement Visa (Pensioner) lists a minimum income of EUR 784 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-21).
What is the average salary in Latvia?
The average gross salary in Latvia is EUR 1,990 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 740 per month.
How much does rent cost in Latvia?
A one-bedroom apartment in Latvia averages EUR 366 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 950 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Latvia?
The top personal income tax rate in Latvia is 36%. The standard VAT rate is 21%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in Latvia?
Among the pathways we track, the Naturalisation (Latvian Citizenship by Naturalisation) lists 5 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for Latvia
Still shortlisting? See our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026 — Top 10 overall plus picks for digital nomads, retirees, skilled workers, families, and low-cost living.