Who qualifies for Latvia's Digital Nomad Visa?

Non-EU citizens who work remotely for companies or clients based in OECD member countries, earn approximately €4,200/month (2.5× Latvia's national average wage), and have at least 6 months of documented work history. You must not work for Latvian clients or companies while on the visa.

What is the 15% flat tax rate for digital nomads?

Latvia offers a 15% flat personal income tax rate to Digital Nomad Visa holders who register as Latvian taxpayers with the State Revenue Service (VID). This is significantly below Latvia's standard progressive rates (25.5%–33%) and is one of the most favourable nomad tax arrangements in the EU. You must actively register to benefit from this rate.

Can I extend the Digital Nomad Visa after one year?

Yes — the Latvia DN Visa can be renewed once for a second 12-month period, giving a maximum of 2 years total. After 2 years, you must leave and cannot reapply immediately for the DN Visa; other residency routes (temporary residence permit) would be needed for continued legal stay.

Do EU citizens need any paperwork to live in Latvia?

No visa or permit is required, but you should register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) within 3 months and get a Latvian personalised identity code. This code is needed for opening a bank account, signing a lease, accessing healthcare, and most administrative processes.

Is Latvia's Golden Visa still available in 2026?

Yes, but the requirements have been tightened and restructured. The minimum real estate investment is €250,000, and the programme now prioritises more productive investments. Latvia has reformed the programme multiple times to reduce abuse; always verify the current requirements with an immigration lawyer before applying.

What health insurance is required for the Digital Nomad Visa?

Mandatory minimum coverage of €42,600 for the full duration of the visa stay. International health insurance from providers like AXA, Pacific Prime, or Cigna is the most common solution. Budget €300–€800/year for a policy meeting this requirement.

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🇱🇻 Latvia

Visa & Residency

Latvia offers one of the EU's most clearly structured residency frameworks for expats. EU citizens need no visa and can live and work freely.

1 year + 1 renewal

DN Visa Duration

Maximum 2 years total

~€4,200/mo

DN Visa Income Req.

2.5× national average wage

15% flat

DN Visa Tax Rate

Must register with VID

€250,000+

Golden Visa

Real estate or business investment

After 5 years

Permanent Residency

Continuous legal residence

Available

EU Blue Card

High-skilled professionals

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Riga 🏖️Jūrmala

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Overview

Latvia offers one of the EU's most clearly structured residency frameworks for expats. EU citizens need no visa and can live and work freely. Non-EU nationals have several routes: the Digital Nomad Visa (Type D long-stay visa for remote workers with non-Latvian clients, up to 2 years, with a landmark 15% flat income tax), temporary residence permits for employment or business, the EU Blue Card for highly skilled professionals, and the Golden Visa through qualifying investments. The DN Visa requires income of approximately €4,200/month (2.5× the national average) and is renewable once for a total of 2 years.

Key Takeaways

Eligibility: non-EU citizens employed or self-employed by companies in OECD member states
No visa or permit required; right to reside and work indefinitely
Residence permit for employment: requires Latvian employer sponsorship and work permit
Real estate investment: minimum €250,000 in residential property in Riga or other cities
Permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous legal residence

Digital Nomad Visa — Up to 2 Years + 15% Tax

Latvia introduced its Digital Nomad Visa in June 2022, making it one of the EU's first. It's a Type D long-stay visa granting non-EU remote workers legal residence for up to 12 months, renewable once for a total of 2 years. The headline feature is a 15% flat income tax rate for registered nomad visa holders.

Eligibility: non-EU citizens employed or self-employed by companies in OECD member states
Income requirement: ~€4,200/month (2.5× the Latvian national average gross wage)
Must prove 6 months of work history with the qualifying employer or client
Mandatory health insurance: minimum €42,600 coverage for the duration of the visa
Residence permit: 12 months, renewable once — maximum 2 years total
Tax advantage: 15% flat income tax rate for holders who register as Latvian taxpayers
Cannot work for Latvian clients or companies while on the DN Visa
Applications submitted at Latvian embassy in home country

EU & EEA Citizens — Full Freedom of Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have the right to live, work, study, and establish businesses in Latvia without any visa or permit. Registration with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs is recommended for stays beyond 3 months.

No visa or permit required; right to reside and work indefinitely
Register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) within 3 months
Obtain a personalised identity code (personas kods) — required for banking and services
Access to public healthcare once employed and paying social contributions
EU/EEA citizens can use EHIC for emergency healthcare before full registration
Full rights to run a business, freelance, or invest in Latvian property

Temporary Residence Permits for Non-EU Expats

Non-EU nationals planning longer stays beyond what the Digital Nomad Visa allows, or who want to work for Latvian employers, need a temporary residence permit (TRP).

Residence permit for employment: requires Latvian employer sponsorship and work permit
Residence permit for business: establish or invest in a Latvian company
EU Blue Card: for highly skilled workers earning above threshold (~€2,700/month); faster processing
TRP duration: typically 1–5 years depending on category
Health insurance mandatory for all TRP applications
Path to permanent residency after 5 years of continuous legal residence
New from 2026: stricter employer verification requirements for work-based permits

Golden Visa — Residency Through Investment

Latvia's Golden Visa programme offers non-EU nationals residency through qualifying investments. The programme has been reformed several times; current 2026 requirements prioritise productive investment over passive real estate.

Real estate investment: minimum €250,000 in residential property in Riga or other cities
Business investment: minimum €50,000 in a Latvian registered company with local employees
Government bonds: minimum €250,000 for a 5-year term
Residency permit: 5 years initially; renewable
No minimum stay requirement in most investment categories
Path to permanent residency after 5 years of legal residence
Note: Latvia has tightened Golden Visa requirements multiple times — verify current rules with an immigration lawyer

Permanent Residency & Citizenship

After building a legal life in Latvia, non-EU expats can apply for permanent residency and, eventually, Latvian EU citizenship.

Permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous legal residence
Requirements: sufficient income, valid health insurance, Latvian or English proficiency (A2)
EU long-term resident permit also available after 5 years
Citizenship: after 5 years of permanent residency (10 years total legal residence)
Latvian language proficiency (B2 level) required for naturalisation
Latvia generally does not allow dual citizenship (exceptions exist for EU/EEA nationals and heritage cases)

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