Latvia’s New Immigration Law 2026: What Has Changed and What It Means

Latvia’s new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026. It fully replaces the previous immigration framework and changes how investors, their families, and other foreign nationals obtain and maintain residence rights in the country.

According to the Saeima, the law aims to strengthen national security, make migration control more effective, and bring Latvian rules in line with European Union legislation. For investors, the most significant changes concern which investment routes remain open, how long permits last, and what is required to qualify for permanent residence.

How the Law Came into Force

The Saeima adopted the law in its final reading on 11 June 2026. On 19 June, President Edgars Rinkēvičs declined to proclaim it and returned it to parliament for a second review. In his letter to the Speaker, the President noted that 158 proposals had been submitted at the third reading, some of them introducing fundamentally new provisions on residence permits granted in return for investment.

The President also invited parliament to consider a real estate route limited to citizens of NATO, OECD and EEA member states, and possibly other countries on a list approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Saeima reviewed the law a second time on 20 August 2026 and adopted it without substantial changes. No real estate route was included in the final text.

Two Investment Routes Closed

Under the new law, temporary residence permits are no longer granted to foreign nationals: 

• who purchase real estate in Latvia 
• or who invest in subordinated liabilities of Latvian credit institutions

Both routes existed under the previous law and are now closed to new applicants.

Investors who already hold permits under these routes, or who submitted applications before 15 September 2026, should confirm with a qualified adviser how the transitional provisions apply to their individual case.

The Share Capital Route Continues

Investment in the share capital of a Latvian company, either by increasing the capital of an existing company or by founding a new one, remains a basis for a temporary residence permit. The required amounts are unchanged:

• EUR 50,000 in a company with no more than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet not exceeding EUR 10 million
• EUR 100,000 in a larger company with more than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet above EUR 10 million
• Under both options, the investor also makes a single payment of EUR 10,000 to the state budget with the first application

The main change is the permit term. Permits under this route are now issued for up to two years, compared with up to five years under the previous law.

Ongoing conditions also apply. For the smaller company tier, the company must pay at least EUR 40,000 in taxes each reporting year, and no more than 10 foreign investors may obtain permits through the same company. 

For the larger tier, the company and its Latvian subsidiaries must pay at least EUR 100,000 in taxes each year. Permits can be renewed while these conditions continue to be met. An investor who renews after five years of residence under this route makes a further single payment of EUR 2,000 to the state budget.

The State Fund Route: In Law, Not Yet Available

The law introduces a new route: a temporary residence permit of up to five years for a foreign national who invests at least EUR 150,000 for a minimum of five years with an alternative investment fund manager established by the state, and who pays EUR 10,000 to the state budget. The permit remains valid only while the fund manager confirms that the investment agreement is in force and that the balance has not fallen below the required amount.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has confirmed that this fund has not yet been established. The route therefore cannot be used at present.

Its future is also uncertain. On 10 September 2026, the Saeima referred a draft amendment to its Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee that would remove this route from the law. The bill’s annotation states that granting residence rights in exchange for a financial investment raises risks to national security, as well as risks of money laundering, sanctions evasion and damage to the country’s reputation.

Government Power to Suspend Investment Permits

The law allows the Cabinet of Ministers to suspend the issuance of permits under both investment routes for up to five years. Such a decision would follow an assessment of the impact on national security or economic development linked to the number of foreign nationals in the country and their concentration in particular areas. The Cabinet would specify which nationalities are affected and for how long.

Citizens of Russia and Belarus are not eligible for either investment route.

Family Members

The spouse and minor children of a temporary residence permit holder may apply for a permit valid for the same term as that of the main applicant.

Permanent Residence: One Status, Clear Conditions

Latvia previously operated two parallel permanent residence statuses: a national status and EU permanent resident status. The new law merges them, so only the status of a permanent resident of the European Union remains. Permanent residence is no longer granted on a first application to any category of applicant.

To qualify, a foreign national must have lived in Latvia continuously for five years with a residence permit and must also:

• have sufficient means to support themselves and any dependent family members
• have learned Latvian to at least level A2
• have completed a course on Latvian culture and history while living in Latvia

Residence counts as continuous if absences from Latvia did not exceed six consecutive months, or ten months in total, during the five years. The permanent residence permit is registered once every five years.

New Integration Requirements

Foreign nationals whose permit, or consecutive permits, total at least 18 months must complete an early integration programme. It covers a course on Latvian culture and history and Latvian language at least to level A1. Participants pay for the programme themselves, and the Cabinet of Ministers will set its content. The obligation applies from 31 December 2027. Exemptions include applicants under 18 and those aged 75 or over.

Stricter Document Rules and Defined Processing Times 

• Documents for a visa or a first temporary residence permit may be submitted in Latvian or English. Documents for a renewal or for permanent residence must be in Latvian.
• The standard decision period for a temporary residence permit is 30 days. Where it cannot be met, it may be extended to no more than four months from receipt of all documents, with no further extension.
• The validity of the foreigner’s ID card now matches the permit term, and annual permit registration is abolished.
• The permit holder or the inviting party must inform PMLP within five working days if the circumstances on which the permit was based change.
• Residence permits linked to employment are now issued for up to one year, except where the employer pays micro enterprise tax. The EU Blue Card continues to be issued for up to two years.
• Nationals of many countries who do not hold a Latvian visa or residence permit must submit travel information at least 48 hours before entering Latvia.

Status of Latvia’s Investment Routes under the New Law 

What This Means for Investors

Latvia remains open to investors seeking residence in the European Union, but the path is now narrower and more closely regulated. 

These changes make early planning more important than ever. The structure of the company, its expected tax contributions, the timing of renewals, the pending amendment on the fund route, and the Cabinet’s power to pause permits for certain nationalities all shape whether Latvia fits an investor’s plans for the years ahead.

Karibi Consultants follows these developments closely and can help you assess whether Latvia suits your goals under the rules now in force. Book a free consultation with our team to review your options before you commit capital.