A residence permit is a document that gives a foreign citizen the right to stay in the Republic of Latvia for a certain time (temporary residence permit, TRP) or permanently (permanent residence permit, PRP). A residence permit is required if you wish to stay in Latvia for more than 90 days within any 180-day period, counting from the first day of entry.
Important update for citizens of Russia and Belarus
Since April 2022, Latvia has suspended the issuance of first-time temporary residence permits to citizens of Russia and Belarus, with narrow exceptions (EU Blue Card applicants, family reunification, accredited university studies, and certain business relocations from RU/BY controlled by OECD-country shareholders). In February 2025 the Cabinet of Ministers extended these entry and visa restrictions through the end of 2026. Additionally, since 15 July 2025 Latvia no longer accepts non-biometric Russian passports for visa or residence permit applications; holders of older permits issued on non-biometric passports must replace their document with a biometric passport by 15 January 2026 to keep their status valid. If this applies to you, get in touch — the exceptions and transition rules are specific and worth checking against your situation before you plan a move.
What a temporary residence permit provides
A TRP lets you live, study, or run a business in Latvia.
Only the TRP holder is authorised to work in Latvia under that permit; it does not extend the right to work in other EU/Schengen countries, and it does not automatically extend a work right to relatives.
Children of TRP holders can access free medical treatment, kindergartens, and schools.
TRP holders can travel visa-free within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
You can obtain a Latvian driving licence valid across the EU.
You can buy, register, and drive a car in Latvia and elsewhere in the EU without paying customs duties.
New requirements coming into force from 2026
Latvia tightened Immigration Law requirements for most TRP categories:
Minimum monthly income: €950 for the main applicant (up from €750), plus €285 per family member (up from €210).
Latvian language proficiency at A2 level is now required for most applicants, except highly qualified specialists (salary from €2,800), investors (investment over €500,000), and people over 65. Accompanying spouses generally need A1.
Health insurance must cover at least €30,000 (up from €15,000) and be valid across the EU.
Employees: employers must show 12 months of tax reports and confirm financial stability; minimum salary for a foreign employee is now around €1,400/month before tax.
Entrepreneurs: a business plan (in Latvian or English), 24-month financial forecasts, and proof of at least €14,000 start-up capital in a Latvian bank account are required; OCMA checks for genuine economic activity (office, staff, contracts).
Real estate investors: minimum property value of €250,000 in Riga or €500,000 for commercial property elsewhere, plus a 5% state fee; the property cannot be sold within 60 months of receiving the permit.
State fees: €180 for first issuance, €120 for renewal, €34 for the biometric card.
These changes do not apply retroactively — an existing TRP remains valid until its expiry date, though renewal after 2026 falls under the new rules (with some easing for those resident more than three years). Given how detailed and case-specific these rules are, we’d recommend a consultation before applying.
Permanent residence permit (PRP)
A TRP can be exchanged for a PRP after 5 years of continuous residence. A year will not count toward that period if you were absent from Latvia for more than 183 days in it (exceptions apply for documented business trips, study, or serious medical treatment). From 2026, PRP applicants must also confirm Latvian language proficiency at B1 level (up from A2), basic knowledge of the Constitution and Latvian history, and the absence of tax debts or administrative violations. The state fee for a PRP application is now €170 (up from €100).
Registration of a residence permit
If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa for Latvia, applications are generally submitted at the Latvian Consulate in your home country. There are exceptions — for example, if you already hold a residence permit in another EU country, hold a work permit, or are a teacher at an accredited institution. Full details and the application forms are available on the OCMA (PMLP) website: pmlp.gov.lv and vissparmigraciju.pmlp.gov.lv.
Car transportation
A vehicle used in road traffic must generally be registered in Latvia within 5 days of import; for vehicles temporarily brought in by foreign citizens, registration is required once the vehicle has been in Latvia for more than 3 months. Since 1 January 2025, vehicles registered in a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country must be declared via the e-CSDD e-service before entering Latvia. State fees are €15 for first-time registration or €10 for re-registration, plus €20 for new plates; temporary registration (up to 3 years) is also available for those not planning a longer stay, with the original documents and plates returned upon deregistration.
Accommodation
For rentals, ss.com remains the most widely used listings portal. As always, inspect the apartment in person and confirm all details before transferring any deposit.
Communication services
The main mobile providers are Tele2 (Zelta Zivtiņa), LMT, and Bite. Prepaid SIM cards are available at petrol stations, supermarkets, and kiosks, with no monthly fee but slightly higher per-minute rates. All Latvian mobile numbers have 8 digits. To call from abroad: dial 00, then the country code, then the number. Latvia’s country code is +371. Information hotline: 1188.
Internet
Latvia has strong public Wi-Fi and mobile internet coverage. Home internet packages typically start around €10/month, depending on the provider and speed. Useful links: tele2.lv, lmt.lv, bite.lv.
Postal services
Latvijas Pasts is the national postal operator (pasts.lv), with post offices, mailboxes, and stamps available at kiosks and grocery stores; always include the postal code on envelopes. Omniva (omniva.lv) and DPD (dpd.lv) run parcel-locker networks across the country. EMS (expresspasts.lv) handles international express parcels.
This overview reflects publicly available information on Latvian immigration rules as of July 2026. Immigration law is complex and continues to evolve — none of the above constitutes legal advice or a guarantee of outcome or timing, since processing depends on state authorities. We recommend booking a consultation to review your specific situation.
