Latvia Golden Visa Changes: Which Investment Routes Remain?

Latvia is ending its real estate and bank deposit routes for investment-based residence from September 15, 2026, while introducing a new €150,000 alternative investment fund route.

The changes also preserve qualifying investment in Latvian company share capital, including a €50,000 route for eligible smaller companies.

Key Takeaways

• September 14, 2026 is the key deadline for applications under the outgoing investment rules.
• The €250,000 property and €280,000 deposit routes are ending for new applicants.
• Investment will shift toward funds and Latvian businesses, with routes starting at €150,000 and €50,000, respectively.
• Existing holders remain subject to transitional rules, with specific restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What is changing in Latvia’s Golden Visa

From September 15, 2026, Latvia will no longer accept new investment-residence applications based on real estate purchases or subordinated bank deposits.

The reform instead keeps company investment as an eligible route and introduces a new alternative investment fund option.

The main changes are:

• Real estate route: The previous €250,000 property investment route is ending for new applicants.
• Bank deposit route: The €280,000 subordinated deposit route is also ending.
• Alternative investment fund: A new route requires at least €150,000 invested for a minimum of five years, plus a €10,000 state budget contribution.
• Company investment: Investment in qualifying Latvian companies remains available, starting at €50,000, alongside the €10,000 state contribution.
• Permit duration: The new fund route can provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years, while the company investment route provides a permit for up to two years.

Applications submitted by September 14, 2026 can still be examined under the previous rules.

For existing holders of residence permits obtained through the outgoing property or deposit routes, the new law includes transitional provisions rather than immediately cancelling their current status.

Latvia Golden Visa property route ends

Latvia is ending its €250,000 real estate investment route for temporary residence, as part of a broader shift away from property-based investment migration.

Under the previous framework, qualifying foreign investors could obtain temporary residence by purchasing Latvian real estate for at least €250,000, subject to the applicable property and valuation requirements.

The reform is intended to redirect investment toward alternative investment funds and Latvian businesses, rather than allowing residence to be obtained primarily through property ownership.

For investors who planned to use the existing property route, the transition deadline is important.

Applications submitted by September 14, 2026 can still be examined under the previous rules, subject to the applicable requirements.

What happens to existing Latvia Golden Visa holders?

Existing holders of residence permits obtained through real estate or bank deposits are not automatically stripped of their current status when the new law takes effect.

Under the transitional provisions, an existing permit based on real estate or a subordinated bank deposit can remain valid until the end of its current registration period.

Certain holders can then apply for a new five-year temporary residence permit on the same basis, provided they meet the applicable requirements and apply before their existing identification document expires.

There is an important exception for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

The transitional rules do not allow these nationals to renew a residence permit on the basis of real estate ownership or a bank deposit under the same arrangement.

This makes it important to distinguish between new applicants and existing Golden Visa holders.

How Latvia’s changes compare with other European Golden Visas

Latvia is following a wider European shift away from property-based Golden Visas, but its 2026 reform stops short of abolishing investment-based residence altogether.

Greece has raised property investment thresholds, Portugal has removed real estate from its Golden Visa, Spain has abolished its investor visa, and Hungary has shifted its program toward qualifying investment funds.

These changes put Latvia’s reform into a broader European context.

Latvia is taking a middle position by ending its property and bank deposit routes while keeping investment-based residence available through Latvian companies and a new €150,000 alternative investment fund route.

What are the alternatives to Golden Visa in Latvia?

Investors who do not qualify for Latvia's revised investment-residence routes can still pursue other residence pathways based on employment, business activity, study, family ties or other qualifying circumstances.

Some of the main alternatives include:

• Employment: Foreign nationals who secure qualifying employment in Latvia may obtain a temporary residence permit for the period of employment, subject to the applicable requirements. Highly qualified workers may also qualify through the EU Blue Card framework.
• Business activity: Latvia provides residence routes for certain entrepreneurs, including individual merchants, company representatives, board members and self-employed individuals who meet the relevant legal conditions.
• Studies: Foreign nationals accepted by an accredited Latvian educational institution can obtain a temporary residence permit for the duration of their studies.
• Family reunification: Spouses, children and certain other relatives of eligible Latvian citizens, permanent residents or qualifying foreign nationals may obtain residence through family reunification.

For investors whose priority is specifically investment-based residence, the new Latvian fund and company routes remain the relevant options under the 2026 framework.

What alternatives to Latvia’s Golden Visa are available outside Europe?

Alternatives to Latvia’s Golden Visa outside Europe include property-based residence options in the UAE and Mauritius, alongside New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa for investors with larger budgets.

These routes offer different ways to combine investment with residence, with varying requirements for investment size, asset type and time spent in the country.

Conclusion

Latvia's Golden Visa reform makes the country's investment-residence framework more selective and changes its appeal for different types of investors.

The end of property-based eligibility is particularly significant for applicants who valued the ability to hold a physical asset while pursuing European residence.

The reform also highlights an important distinction between residence eligibility and investment suitability.

Meeting the immigration requirement does not necessarily make an investment appropriate from a financial perspective.

Investors need to consider how the chosen structure fits their broader portfolio, liquidity needs, and plans for living in Latvia.

For those comparing European residence programs, Latvia is now better assessed alongside the alternatives rather than viewed solely through its former property threshold.

FAQs

Can I get residency in Latvia if I buy a house?

No, not under the new rules from September 15, 2026.

Applications submitted by September 14, 2026 may still qualify under the previous €250,000 real estate route, subject to the applicable requirements.

Is it hard to get Latvian citizenship?

Yes, Latvian citizenship requires a separate naturalization process and is not granted automatically through investment-based residence.

Applicants generally need at least five years of permanent residence, Latvian language proficiency, knowledge of Latvia's Constitution, history and culture, and other naturalization requirements.

Can I get residency in Latvia with an investment of €50,000?

Yes, through investment in the share capital of a qualifying smaller Latvian company.

The route requires a €50,000 investment plus a €10,000 state budget contribution and does not apply to property purchases or ordinary bank deposits.

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