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.
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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:
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.
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.
Spain
Australia
Caribbean Countries
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:
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.
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:
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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:
Global citizenship trends are also shifting:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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