Nationality is a legal affiliation with a particular country. Citizens are subject to obligations and rights under national law.

The ownership of persons in the population of Latvian citizens shall be determined by Citizenship Law. Citizenship of the Republic of Latvia can be obtained in several ways. For more information about how to acquire citizenship, process, and documents required, read PMLP website.

A citizen of Latvia who is also a national of another country or who is guaranteed the citizenship of another country shall have the right to renounce citizenship of Latvia.

Double-nationality

Latvian citizenship shall be retained for persons who have acquired:

1. other Member State of the European Union or Member State of the European Free Trade Association nationality;
2. other Member State of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nationality;
3. Nationality of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand;
4. nationality of the State not mentioned above, if a Cabinet permit to maintain double citizenship has been received in relation to important State interests;
5. nationality of a State not mentioned above, if obtained automatically (by marriage or adoption).

For children under 18, double citizenship is possible with any country.

A citizen of Latvia, for whom dual citizenship has formed until reaching the age of majority and who wishes to retain citizenship of another country should, after reaching the age of majority, submit an application for the renunciation of citizenship of Latvia by the age of 25. This obligation does not refer to a citizen of Latvia whose citizenship of Latvia has been registered as for a descendent of an exile.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs invites citizens of Latvia who have acquired citizenship of another country to follow Article 15 of the Register of Natural Persons, namely to provide information about acquiring citizenship of another country.

In order to notify the acquisition of citizenship of another state, Latvian citizens need to submit a document certifying the existence of citizenship of another state, such as a passport, identity card or citizenship certificate and personal identification document of a Latvian citizen.

A citizen of Latvia who has acquired citizenship with an unpermitted country has an obligation to submit an application for the renunciation of citizenship of Latvia within 30 days after acquiring citizenship of this country.

Acquiring citizenship for children

A child may acquire Latvian citizenship regardless of the place of birth. The child should be regarded as a citizen of Latvia, the moment of his birth if one or both parents are citizens of the Republic of Latvia.

Foreign born child

The procedures by which PMLP registers a child born abroad as a citizen of Latvia shall be governed by Cabinet Regulation No. 974 of 24 September 2013 "Procedures by which the person shall be registered as citizens of Latvia”. Read more about the required documents and submitting them on  PMLP website.

Re-citizenship

Latvian citizenship may be restored at the request of a person, if it has been lost:

1. the choice of parents or adopters, without the written consent of the person, may be renewed up to the age of 25;
2. renunciation of citizenship of Latvia or citizenship of Latvia has been subtracted because it has been acquired Nationality of a Member State of the European Union, Member State of the European Free Trade Association, Member State of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand.

For more information about the process of restoring citizenship, required documents, and other useful information, read on PMLP website.

Naturalisation

Naturalisation is a process in which a person is admitted to citizenship of the Republic of Latvia. Person wishing to acquire citizenship by naturalisation must come personally in any territorial division of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and to be submitted application for naturalisation.

For more about getting citizenship in the naturalization order, read on PMLP website.

The Latvian language can be learned in private language training centres or individually with the Latvian teacher. Information on language training centres that offer to learn Latvian as well as links to different digital resources is availableintegration.lv. Also look for useful learning tools on Shelter in “Safe Home”, NIID, e-La Pike, Latvian Agency, Communication bridge and State Education Content Centre website.

 

Passport and identity card

The identity card (eID card) may be received by anyone in the Register of Natural persons registered person. An application for personal identification documents may be lodged in any PMLP division chapter, regardless of the declared place of life.

A Latvian citizen or non-citizen registered in the Register of Natural persons may apply for the submission of documents, for the issuance of a passport or personal identity card for a specific time of visit, using the e-service “The issue of personal identification document log”.

For useful information on identity documents and e-signature, see Personal identification document and in a life situation Signing documents with a secure electronic signature.

Electronically signed you can submit an application to an institution using e-address.

1. “Request for a duplicated birth certificate or a certificate from the Birth Register“,
2. “A marriage certificate or certificates from the marriage register request”,
3. “The death certificate or certificates from the Death Register Request”.
   
    

 

You may also apply for the above certificates and certificates in your designated municipality – more “Updating, supplementing, revoking or renewing birth, marriage and death records”.

If you want to complete citizenship-related formalities abroad and you need documents that are not available to you, you may apply for to request documents through Latvia's foreign mission and, if necessary, to order the legalisation of the document to be understood, using the e-service of the portal Latvija.lv. Acceptance of an electronic application for the request of documents (civil status documents and certificates may be received). The service shall be open to persons resident abroad and have designated their own in the Register of Natural persons place of residence abroad.

Visa and right to employment

The visa is a specified pattern sticker in the travel document. It is States in which citizens may enter Latvia without a visa. In order to enter or cross the territory of Latvia, the visa shall be mandatory for citizens of other countries.

Visa must be received before entering Latvia Latvia's representation in a foreign state. For the receipt of a visa, it is necessary to submit such documents.

If the employment of a third-country national is related to short-term or irregular residence in Latvia (not exceeding 90 days during a half-year period), the third-country national must receive visa and right to employment. This provision also applies to foreigners who do not need a visa to enter Latvia.

If the employment of a third-country national is related to a regular stay in Latvia (exceeding 90 days during a half-year period), the third-country national must receive temporary residence permit and right to employment.

Invitations and invitations

In order to receive a visa, the person must prove that the person in Latvia assumes responsibility for the foreign national:

1. the eligibility of the purpose of entry and residence for the purpose indicated in the documents submitted for the request for a visa,
2. leaving the State at a specified time,
3. if necessary - ensure the covering of expenses related to the health care, residence in the Republic of Latvia and return to the country of residence.

In order to provide the necessary evidence for obtaining a visa, an invitation or invitation may be drawn up.Invitation drawing up the PMLP and is immediately available online in the embassies of the Republic of Latvia, but invitation the letter shall be drawn up by a natural person by a notary and sent to a foreigner who is travelling to the embassy with it and shall draw up a visa.

Documents for approval of invitations may be submitted to any Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs in the territorial division. For more information, read on PMLP website.

Residence permit

A residence permit shall be a document which gives the right of an alien to reside in Latvia permanently or for a specified period, if it is longer than 90 days during a half-year period.

If the person is from country, whose passport holders may enter Latvia without a visa, must submit such documents. Nationals of other countries must submit such documents.

For more about visas, work and residence permits, read PMLP website.

If you or your spouse want to receive a residence permit in Latvia due to marriages (as a spouse of a Latvian citizen, a Latvian non-citizen or a third-country national who has received a permanent residence permit), a valid travel document recognised in the Republic of Latvia must be presented and submitted as follows: Documents. If the marriage certificate is missing, you can use the e-service available on the portal Latvija.lv "A marriage certificate or certificates from the marriage register request”.

If your minor or dependent child arrives with you, he or she must submit all the documents referred to above (except a document certifying the facts of marriage), as well as a document certifying the relationship and a permit of the other parent (notarially certified) to reside in the Republic of Latvia.

In the border area identification documents must accompany the country's external border.

The Cabinet regulations, which affect various matters of citizenship, repatriation, immigration, personal status and documents confirming it, are to be consulted in one place - On the website of the Office for Citizenship and Migration (PMLP).

Declaring property in the territory of a particular local government provides a variety of facilities and access to municipal services.

To view services provided by municipalities or to compare local governments with each other, visit the website vietagimenei.lv.

To declare residence in Latvia, use Latvija.lv e-services Submission of a declaration of a place of residence.

Use the “service” to declare a place of residence Declaration of a place of residence, in turn, to cancel the place of residence "Cancellation of statements of the declared place of residence”.

Read more about residence and declaration in the description of the life situation “Notification of residence or declaration”.

Each lead has the option to receive free of charge regional coordinator a consultation on topical issues related to the return to Latvia in a specific region. Read more on the website paps.lv.

For purchasing and maintaining real estate, read the life situation Purchase and sale of real estate and Maintenance of residential buildings and spaces belonging to me.

Specialists of the State Employment Agency (NVA), including EURES network within the framework, job seekers shall be provided with advice on NVA support and services, the situation in the labour market, living conditions and employment opportunities in Latvia. EURES network services are available to all EU citizens.

You can obtain from the EURES consultants of the State Employment Agency information on:

1. employment opportunities in Latvia and registering with the NVA;
2. skills and working experience vacancies;
3. Services offered by the NVA (training and employment opportunities);
4. about work and life conditions in Latvia;
5. useful return Information to Latvia;
6. general business start information;
7. on the social system, taxation, procedures for the sorting of documents and other matters relating to legislation;
8. on social coordination issues, such as: unemployment allowance or retirement exports.

You can also turn to information about NVA services State and local governments in single customer service centres.

You can apply for unemployment or jobseeker status using the SEA CV and Vacancy Portal or e-address.

For useful information if you have worked in the EU and want to return to Latvia, read the NVA information material. For information on benefits returning to Latvia after work in the EU, read the VSAA website.

Working in Latvia and in one of the Member States of the European Union or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, shall have the right to apply for a pension from each Member State. A pension is not granted in Latvia for periods of insurance for which a person receives or is entitled to a pension from another country.

To a foreigner

A third-country national is any person who is not a citizen of Latvia or a non-citizen. There are hardly any restrictions on citizens of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland (citizens of the Union) to enter, stay and work in Latvia. A citizen of the Union may start work after entering into a contract of employment. Citizens of the Union wishing to stay in Latvia for more than three months must register with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) and receive The marketing authorisation, however, this registration shall not be required for a period of six months if the citizen of the Union is staying for the purpose of finding employment.

There are restrictions on the employment of third-country nationals:

1. entry (visa),
2. stay (residence permit),
3. employment (right to employment).

Read more information on PMLP website. The employer shall assume full responsibility for both the employment and residence of the third-country national (residence and health care) and, if necessary, for the costs of removal.

In order to start business in Latvia, registration of the company can be registered electronically, portal Latvija.lv using e-service “Registration of the registers kept by the Enterprise Register”.

Where the application and the documents to be attached thereto have been signed with secure e-signature issued abroad, then e-mail must be selected for electronic submission info@ur.gov.lv.To make sure which electronic submission channel to choose - e-service or e-mail - ask to search for your service in the Enterprise Register in the detailed list of services.(Exceptional cases - when documents cannot be submitted via e-service).

Read more about starting up your business, the necessary actions and documents, and useful information in life situation Starting a business.

Nursery

The reporting of newborns and children in kindergarten shall be determined by each Local government order - Read more about reception process in the territory of a specific local government.

There are municipalities that offer the possibility to electronically apply for children's kindergarten through e-services, for example: Pre-school registration in Riga City municipality.

In order to enroll a child in kindergarten, the following shall be submitted:

1. application
2. birth certificate of the child (copy),
3. proof of the identity of the parent must be produced.

Read more in How to sign up for a newborn in kindergarten?

Nanny services

While a child is registered and waiting in the nursery line, the local government may, in accordance with the budgetary options, provide co-financing for the baby sitter by providing it in the binding regulations of the local government or in the decision of the council. This means that the municipality can decide to provide such support to a private nanny, but it is not a mandatory requirement.

More interested in your local government support The municipality. If you have declared yourself in Riga municipality, you can apply for local government support in e-service “Co-financing of the child monitoring service”.

The State and local government educational institutions shall acquire education in the official language. In another language, education may be obtained in private educational institutions, as well as in State and local government educational institutions, provided that they implement minority education programmes.

Read more about the education system in Latvia The website of the National Educational Opportunities Database. Find useful information for arrivals on the website integration.lv.

School

A child shall be submitted to the school with an application of the parent (or legal representative). For what information is required to be presented in the application and what documents should be presented when the child is enrolled in school, read Cabinet Regulation No. 591 of 13 October 2015, Procedures by which Students are Accepted in General Education Programmes, Special Educational Institutions and Special Pre-School Education Groups and Deduced From Such, as well as Transferred to the Next Class.

An application may also be submitted electronically by signing it with secure electronic signature and by sending to e-address or official email of the school. Priority for school admissions may be given to children who have been declared in the school district and who have a brother or sister at that school.

High schools

The attestation on general secondary education or the diploma on secondary vocational education gives the right to continue in higher education, where higher education or vocational education programmes can be learned.

If the secondary education document has been obtained abroad, this document must be submitted for expert-examination Academic Information Centre.

Read more about study choices and opportunities in a life situation Studies and lifelong learning.

 

If an educational document has been obtained abroad and it wishes to be used for the continuation of studies or for non-regulated professions, the Academic Information Centre (AIC) shall carry out its expert-examination. More broadly on AIC website.

If education and professional qualifications have been acquired abroad and wish to work in a regulated profession in Latvia (list of regulated professions), then to be carried out procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications.

Digitally, it is possible to apply for the recognition of professional qualifications acquired in the European Union in the profession of nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, using the European Professional Card website.

 

State-paid healthcare services shall be provided:

1. Any person socially insured in Latvia,
2. For Latvian citizens,
3. For Latvian non-citizens,
4. Nationals of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland employed in Latvia (employed or self-employed, including their family members),
5. third-country nationals with a permanent residence permit,
6. refugees and persons with alternative status,
7. children under 18 years of age, and
8. State-paid maternity assistance shall be provided to the spouses of Latvian citizens and Latvian non-citizens.

In order to receive public-paid healthcare services, the person must be included in the register of healthcare recipients. This can be done by addressing application to the National Health Service. The application may also be submitted in a free form.

After being included in the register of recipients of health services, the citizen must register with a family doctor who will continue to provide advice on health prevention and treatment, as well as, if necessary, issue a referral to State-paid doctor-specialist advice, diagnostic examinations or other services.

Use the e-service available in Latvija.lv to register with a family doctor or register your minors or those under custody. To register with a family doctor or contact the practice of the selected family doctor. More about choosing and applying for a family doctor, see “Family doctor information”.

If the person has previously been registered with a specific family doctor when returning to life in Latvia, information regarding his or her family doctor may be ascertained using the eHealth portal www.eveseliba.gov.lv under the heading “Family doctor and EHIC“– “family doctor data” or “Latvija.lv via e-service "To register with a family doctor”.

If a person intends to stay temporarily in Latvia (for example, family visit, travel, tourism trip), it is possible to design and use in Latvia in the country where the person is insured (works, receives a pension, etc.) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC provides an opportunity to receive the necessary medical assistance in Latvia to the same extent and under the same conditions as the local population. More about EHIC and applying for it, see What do you need to know if you get sick when you travel? and Health-related services if you are abroad.

If you are working or receiving a pension in another Member State of the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland, but you are living in Latvia, you must show up to receive state-paid healthcare here S1 form. The S1 form confirms the right of the resident or his or her family member to receive State-paid healthcare in the country of residence. The form should be presented each time receiving public-paid healthcare services.

The S1 form must be drawn up in the country in which you work or receive a pension and then registered with the National Health Service.

An alien who is not socially insured in Latvia needs a valid health insurance policy, which guarantees the covering of the costs related to health care in Latvia. The health insurance policy must be presented in order to obtain a temporary residence permit. The term of validity of the policy shall not be less than the expected duration of residence in Latvia and shall guarantee at least the following health services:

1. emergency medical assistance (NMP);
2. treatment of a critical condition hazardous to life or health in a hospital;
3. transport to the nearest medical treatment institution in both cases above;
4. transport for return to the country of origin in the event of severe illness or death.

How the policy should be handled should be interested in the insurance company concerned. For calling the NMP Brigades to aliens, read the NMP website.

Read more about health care in a life situation Action in case of illness and Health information for me or children.

 

A driving licence issued in one of the Member States of the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) shall be valid for the driving of a vehicle also in Latvia until its expiry date. If you want, you may exchange a certificate issued in one of the EU or EFTA Member States for a Latvian certificate in one of the following: Service centres of the Road Safety Directorate (CSDD). The change of the certificate is possible only if you are permanently resident in Latvia. Conditions for issuing a driving licence are available at: Road Traffic Law. More about changing a foreign certificate, read the required documents here.

 

When the driving licence expires, it must be renewed in the country where you are resident. A certificate issued in different Member States may have different validity dates and may have different limits or special rules. The driving licence issued in Latvia shall be valid for 10 years. On the other hand, if you have obtained a professional category, your driving licence is valid for 5 years.

 

If a certificate has been issued outside the EU or EFTA Member States, the licence for driving a vehicle in Latvia may be used for up to 1 year from the time of arrival in Latvia. Read more about foreign driving licences and their use in Latvia the website of the CSDD. If a person is staying in Latvia for more than 1 year, the certificate shall be exchanged by passing the driving examination CSDD in accordance with the prescribed procedures. Application for an automobile driving exam is possible electronically, using e-CSDD platform.

 

If you are a foreign national and you do not have a driving licence, information on how to obtain a driving licence in Latvia is available on the website of the CSDD. You should remember that the driving licence is issued to persons who have their habitual residence in Latvia. All conditions for issuing a driving licence are available at: Road Traffic Law.

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. Ministry of Economy (EM)
3. Ministry of Justice (TM)
4. State Regional Development Agency (SRDA)
5. National Social Insurance Agency (VSAA)
6. Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
7. National Health Service (NSAs)
8. State Employment Agency (NVA)
9. Academic Information Centre (AIC)
10. Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC)
11. Register of companies (UR)
12. Road Safety Directorate (CSDD)

Travel

What should be observed by Latvian nationals abroad?

Notification of residence or declaration

Starting a business

Health information for me or children

Losing and Searching

Studies and lifelong learning