Latvia
LVALatvia is a Baltic EU and Schengen member state using the euro, offering one of the most affordable costs of living in the eurozone. Riga, its vibrant Art Nouveau capital, anchors a growing tech and startup scene. Naturalisation requires five years of legal residence, a Latvian language test at B1 level, and a civics exam, though Latvia does not generally permit dual citizenship for naturalised citizens. The Latvian passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations. Citizens of Latvian descent can reclaim citizenship across generations. Personal income tax is a flat 23 % on most income, with a progressive element for higher earners introduced in recent reforms.
Passport Rank
#15
Visa-Free
186
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Riga
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Latvian
- Population
- 1,830,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Humid continental with cold winters and mild summers
- English Proficiency Rank
- #14
Indices
Cost of Living
52
Safety
67
Healthcare
58
Quality of Life
148
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riga | $710 | $490 | $290 | $135 | $34 |
| Liepāja | $410 | $280 | $265 | $115 | $22 |
| Daugavpils | $330 | $220 | $250 | $110 | $18 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Riga
Rainfall range: 30–80 mm/month · Daylight 6h (winter) to 18h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Long-stay D
- Temporary Residence
- Permanent Residence
- Work
- Student
- Family
- Investor
- Authority
- Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA / PMLP)
- Official Portal
- www.pmlp.gov.lv
- Phone
- +371 67219752
- pmlp@pmlp.gov.lv
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 10
- Language Test
- Yes (Latvian A2/B1)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $28
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#23
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Bar and nightclub tab inflation in Riga Old Town targeting tourists and expats
- ⚠Fake rental listings on local classifieds (ss.lv) requiring upfront deposits for non-existent apartments
- ⚠Unlicensed taxi overcharging at Riga International Airport and major bus terminals
Examples of areas to avoid: Maskavas forštate (Moscow District, Riga) — high petty-crime rates after dark in parts of this dense Soviet-era neighbourhood
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified 2026-06-15