Popular options for a second passport for Latvians include Portugal, Spain, Canada, and Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs such as Dominica.
These destinations are typically chosen based on ease of qualification and the long-term mobility or settlement advantages they provide.
Latvian dual citizenship is permitted only in specific cases and with approved countries, which can influence the choice of destination when pursuing a second nationality.
This article covers:
- Does Latvia allow multiple citizenships?
- What is the best second passport to have for Latvians?
- Where do Latvians migrate to?
- Why are people leaving Latvia?
- How powerful is a Latvian passport?
- Is it good to have two passports?
Key Takeaways:
- Latvia allows dual citizenship in many cases, especially with EU and NATO countries.
- Popular options for a second citizenship for Latvians include Portugal, Spain, Canada, and Caribbean nations.
- A Latvian passport is considered strong because of extensive visa-free travel access.
- Dual citizenship offers more flexibility but may involve tax, legal, and administrative obligations.
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Can you have two citizenships in Latvia?
Yes, Latvia allows dual citizenship in certain cases under Section 9 of the Latvian Citizenship Law, particularly after major amendments that took effect in 2013.
Under Latvian law, Latvian citizens may retain their citizenship if they acquire nationality from:
- A European Union or European Economic Area country
- A NATO member state
- Countries such as Australia, Brazil, or New Zealand
- A country approved by the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers for important state interests
- A nationality automatically acquired through marriage or adoption
Latvia also permits dual citizenship by descent for many individuals with Latvian heritage abroad, including descendants of Latvian exiles and Livs.
Children of Latvian citizens may generally hold dual citizenship with any country.
If a Latvian citizen acquires citizenship from a country outside the permitted categories without special authorization, they may eventually be required to choose one nationality.
Which country is best for a second passport for Latvians?
For Latvians, some of the best countries for a second passport include Portugal, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs such as Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis for stronger mobility, relocation, lifestyle, or faster citizenship options.
- Routes: Residency through investment, work, or passive income visas
- Investment: Moderate investment via funds, business, or property options, typically starting around €250,000+
- Requirements: Maintain legal residency and basic integration requirements
- Timeline: Citizenship usually after 5 years of residency
- Why ideal for Latvians: EU-based pathway with strong mobility and lifestyle upgrade
Spain
- Routes: Residency via work, study, or non-lucrative visa
- Investment: Higher financial proof required for non-lucrative residency (around €30,000+ annual savings/income requirement for individuals, higher for families)
- Requirements: Long-term legal residence and financial stability proof
- Timeline: Citizenship typically after 10 years of residence
- Why ideal for Latvians: Familiar EU environment with strong cultural and geographic accessibility
- Routes: Skilled migration or provincial nominee programs
- Investment: No formal investment-for-citizenship route, but applicants may face indirect costs such as education, proof of settlement funds (often around CAD 14,000+ for a single applicant under skilled programs)
- Requirements: Language proficiency and skilled work experience
- Timeline: Citizenship after 3–5 years of permanent residency
- Why ideal for Latvians: Strong job market and long-term settlement opportunities
Australia
- Routes: Skilled migration or employer-sponsored visas
- Investment: No direct investment route; moderate to high costs from visa fees, skills assessment, and relocation (typically AUD 5,000–15,000+, plus settlement funds)
- Requirements: Points-based eligibility and English proficiency
- Timeline: Citizenship after 4 years of residency
- Why ideal for Latvians: High-income opportunities and stable long-term living standards
Caribbean Countries
- Routes: Citizenship by investment or approved real estate programs (Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis)
- Investment: Typically starts around $200,000+ depending on country and family size
- Requirements: Government donation or qualifying investment plus background checks
- Timeline: Often 3–6 months processing
- Why ideal for Latvians: Fastest legal second passport option with minimal relocation requirements
What is the cheapest country to get a second passport?
The cheapest second passport options are typically found in countries such as Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Turkey, Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Overall costs generally range from around $100,000 to $250,000+, based on the program type and route, whether through citizenship-by-investment or residency-to-citizenship pathways.
Typical cost ranges by country:
- Dominica: $200,000+ donation-based citizenship option
- Antigua and Barbuda: $230,000+ depending on family size
- St. Kitts and Nevis: $250,000+ investment threshold
- Saint Lucia: $240,000+ donation or higher investment options
- Paraguay: Low-cost residency, typically $2,000–$5,000+ in setup, documentation, and proof-of-funds requirements, depending on legal and administrative processing fees.
- Nicaragua: Low-cost residency pathway with minimal initial financial requirements, typically around $1,000–$3,000+ in application, legal, and residency processing fees depending on the case.
- Turkey: $400,000+ property investment route for citizenship
- Vanuatu: $130,000+ donation-based fast-track citizenship
- Sao Tome and Principe: Around $90,000+, making it one of the lower-cost investment-based citizenship options compared to many Caribbean programs.
- Nauru: Md-range contribution requirements, typically around $120,000+ based on application fees, government donation level, and additional due diligence costs
Where do Latvians emigrate to?
Latvian emigration is primarily directed toward the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Canada, with most flows driven by higher wages, stronger labor markets, and established diaspora networks abroad.
According to Eurostat migration flow data and Latvia’s Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), around 10,000–15,000 Latvian residents emigrate annually across all destinations, with the United Kingdom and Germany consistently ranking among the top receiving countries.
Latvia’s outward migration is largely economic.
Despite long-term relocation, a significant share maintain strong ties to Latvia through remittances, circular migration, or eventual return.
Why are people moving out of Latvia?
Latvians are primarily leaving the country due to income gaps, labor shortages, and stronger job opportunities abroad, especially in Western Europe, where wages can be significantly higher than in Latvia.
Recent data shows that Latvia continues to experience net outward migration, with thousands of residents leaving each year despite gradual economic growth and EU integration.
This is reinforced by long-term structural factors such as wage differences within the EU and access to larger labor markets.
Other common reasons include:
- Access to international education
- Higher salaries in Western Europe
- Family reunification
- Lifestyle and climate preferences
Broader migration trends also show that EU mobility and labor demand in countries like Germany and the UK continue to attract Latvian workers, particularly younger professionals and skilled labor.
Although Latvia’s economy has developed significantly over the years, migration patterns remain strongly influenced by persistent wage disparities and career opportunities across Europe, which continue to act as the main push factor for emigration.
Is Latvia a strong passport?
Yes, the Latvian passport is considered strong, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 180+ destinations worldwide, including most of Europe, the Schengen Area, the UK , Canada, and much of Asia and Latin America due to its EU membership.
| Index | Ranking | Notes |
| Henley Passport Index | 7th | Strong EU mobility; consistently ranks among top-tier passports for travel freedom |
| Arton Capital Passport Index | 4th | Slightly higher ranking due to broader weighting of visa-on-arrival access and global mobility |
| Nomad Capitalist Passport Index | 12th | Focuses beyond travel, factors in tax regime, global perception, and dual citizenship flexibility, which lowers ranking despite strong travel power |
Why do Latvians hold two passports?
Latvians mainly pursue a second passport to complement EU freedom of movement with access to non-EU regions where Latvian/EU mobility is more limited, especially for long-term residence, work, and settlement outside Europe.
- Access beyond the EU labor market: Many Latvians seek opportunities in higher-paying economies outside the EU, where a second citizenship can simplify long-term work or residency arrangements.
- Stronger non-EU settlement options: While Latvia provides full EU mobility, it does not grant automatic long-term rights in countries like the UK, US, or Gulf states.
- Mobility beyond Schengen reliance: A second passport can reduce dependence on EU/Schengen-only access, especially for global travel or relocation planning.
- Citizenship restriction factor: Because Latvia limits dual citizenship to specific countries, eligible second passports are often chosen based on legal compatibility rather than preference alone.
What are the negatives of dual citizenship for Latvians?
For Latvians, the main downsides of dual citizenship come from navigating Latvia’s restricted dual citizenship rules alongside EU obligations and the legal mismatch between EU and non-EU systems.
- Eligibility constraints under Latvian law: Not all second citizenships are compatible with retaining Latvian nationality, limiting options compared to more flexible EU countries.
- Loss-risk complexity outside approved categories: Acquiring a non-approved citizenship can create legal uncertainty around Latvian nationality status.
- Split legal identity across EU and non-EU systems: Latvians may face more administrative friction when combining EU rights with a non-EU nationality.
- Re-entry and residency documentation burden: Returning to Latvia or re-establishing EU residency status can involve additional verification if long-term living abroad.
- Limited practical benefit within the EU itself: Since Latvian citizenship already grants full EU mobility, the added value of a second passport is often concentrated only outside Europe.
Who Should Avoid Getting a Second Passport and What’s Next for Global Citizenship Trends
Not every Latvian needs a second passport, since EU citizenship already provides strong mobility, and for many people the benefits simply don’t outweigh the added complexity.
In general, a second passport for Latvia may be less relevant for:
- Those with already sufficient EU mobility: Limited added value if living and working mainly within the EU
- Those sensitive to tax and legal complexity: May face additional cross-border obligations
- Cost-sensitive applicants: High upfront fees plus ongoing administrative requirements
- Those without relocation plans: Little practical use without intention to live or work abroad
Global citizenship trends are also shifting:
- Stricter oversight: More due diligence and compliance checks worldwide
- Fewer fast-track options: Higher costs and tighter eligibility rules
- Rise of residency models: More countries favor long-term residency over direct citizenship
- Strategic focus: Second passports used more for diversification than convenience
- Strong EU baseline: Latvia already provides broad global mobility through EU membership
Conclusion
The appeal of a second citizenship for Latvia is ultimately about expanding personal and geographic optionality in a world where careers, assets, and families are increasingly international.
The calculation is often less about replacing Latvia’s citizenship and more about complementing it with access to different systems, markets, and long-term residency rights.
At the same time, second citizenship is becoming more individualized.
A route that works well for an investor may make little sense for a remote worker, entrepreneur, or family focused on education and relocation planning.
For those considering more complex financial or residency strategies, working with a professional such as a financial advisor can help align citizenship decisions with long-term wealth and tax planning.
The strongest outcome usually comes not from chasing rankings or speed alone, but from choosing a citizenship strategy that realistically matches how and where someone intends to build their future.
FAQs
Is it hard to get Latvian citizenship?
Yes, Latvian citizenship can be difficult to obtain through naturalization because it typically requires around 10 years of legal residence, including permanent residency, plus Latvian language and integration exams.
Citizenship by descent is generally much easier for people with Latvian ancestry.
What are the top 3 strongest passports?
The world’s strongest passports are typically ranked by visa-free travel access, with Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Germany consistently placing near the top in major global passport indices.
Which country gives citizenship fastest?
Vanuatu is widely considered one of the fastest countries for citizenship, with some approved citizenship-by-investment applications processed in as little as 2–4 months.
Other fast-track options include Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis, which commonly process applications within 3–6 months.
What is the weakest passport?
The world’s weakest passports are typically associated with countries facing conflict, sanctions, or political instability, with Afghanistan often ranking near the bottom of global passport indices due to very limited visa-free travel access.
Other consistently low-ranking passports include Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
What countries do not allow dual citizenship?
Countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore generally restrict or prohibit dual citizenship, often requiring individuals to renounce their original nationality when acquiring a new one.
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