---
title: "Moving to Latvia 2026: visas, requirements and tax"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

View over Riga old town from St Peter's Church

# Moving to Latvia

13 ways to move to Latvia in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 2 investor routes, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 business / startup routes, 5 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa.

Remote workers: [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/digital-nomad-visa/), €4,538+ a month ≈ $5,070. Smallest investment: [Investor · €50k share capital](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/investor-share-capital/), from €50k ≈ $56k. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026.

**Nomad visa: income needed:** **€4,538+ a month ≈ $5,070** Digital nomad visa

**Smallest investment needed:** **from €50k ≈ $56k** Investor · €50k share capital

**Longest first stay:** **5 years** Investor · €150k fund

Latvia offers a handful of clear routes for non-EU newcomers: investing in a company, founding a start-up, taking a highly qualified job, filling a sponsored vacancy, or studying full-time. Each route has its own gatekeeper and paperwork, so the right starting point depends on what you plan to do here.

Investors putting capital into a Latvian company Founders with an innovative idea Highly qualified employees with a job offer Workers with an employer ready to sponsor Full-time students at accredited institutions

## Nomad / Remote work · 1

### [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/digital-nomad-visa/)

**Income needed:** €4,538+ a month ≈ $5,070

Stay 1 yr, renewable Remote work only Needs health cover

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/digital-nomad-visa/)

## Investing · 2

### Investor

**Investment needed:** from €50k ≈ $56k

- [€50k share capital](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/investor-share-capital/)
- [€150k fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/investor-aif-fund/)

## Retire or live on savings · 1

### [Retiree residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/retiree/)

**Income needed:** €1,231+ a month ≈ $1,380

Stay 2 yrs Retirement

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/retiree/)

## Business / Startup · 2

### [Company board member permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/company-officer/)

**Assets needed:** €2,800+ ≈ $3,130

Stay 2 yrs

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/company-officer/)

### [Startup founder permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/startup-founder/)

**Income needed:** €780+ a month ≈ $870

Stay 3 yrs

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/startup-founder/)

## Work · 5

- [Seasonal work visa **Income needed:** from €1,516 a month ≈ $1,690](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/seasonal-work-visa/)
- [Work visa (D) **Income needed:** €1,815+ a month ≈ $2,030](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/work-visa-d/)
- [Work permit **Income needed:** €1,815+ a month ≈ $2,030](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/employment/)
- [Blue Card **Income needed:** from €2,178 a month ≈ $2,430](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/eu-blue-card/)
- [Researcher permit **First stay:** 2 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/researcher/)

## Student · 1

### [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/study/)

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Can work: yes

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/study/)

## Spouse visas · 1

For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.

### [Spouse visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/family/)

**Income needed:** €780+ a month ≈ $870

Stay 2 yrs, renewable Can work: yes

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/family/)

**Free movement and visa-free stays · 1**

- **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/).

[Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/)

## Tax

Latvia's personal income tax is progressive, with a non-taxable minimum per month.

Standard rules

### [Personal income tax 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/tax/#tax-lv-ordinary-income-tax)

Worldwide income

**Details**

- On: Worldwide income of residents
- Limit: €105k/yr ≈ $118k

Residents are taxed on worldwide income: 25.5% on annual income below EUR105,300 (≈ $118,000) and 33% above, plus an additional 3% on annual income over EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000); non-taxable minimum EUR550 (≈ $610) a month in 2026.

#### Taxed on

Worldwide income of residents, including foreign-source income declared in annex D2 of the annual return; capital income and capital gains are taxed at 25.5%.

#### Who it applies to

- Latvian tax residents: persons with a declared place of residence in Latvia or who stay in Latvia 183 days or more in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year.

#### Limits

- EUR 105,300 a year (≈ $118,000) · 33% rate above this annual income.
- EUR 200,000 a year (≈ $223,000) · Additional 3% on income above this amount.
- EUR 550 a month (≈ $610) · Non-taxable minimum for 2026 (EUR 6,600 (≈ $7,370) per year).

#### Days in the country

- At least 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year · A person staying in Latvia 183 days or more is a tax resident; a declared place of residence in Latvia also makes the person resident.

#### Tax residence

Residency is also decided by the permanent place of residence; a person who leaves Latvia is not treated as resident for the part of the year after leaving if closer ties to a foreign country exist (family, property or social insurance abroad).

#### Visas

Independent of permit.

#### Other taxes

Mandatory state social insurance contributions total 34.09% (employer 23.59%, employee 10.5%) on salary up to EUR105,300 (≈ $118,000) a year.

Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/tax/)

Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

**Switch to later · 1**

Work

### [Post-study job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/post-study-job-search/)

**Income needed:** €780+ a month ≈ $870

Stay 9 mo

[Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/post-study-job-search/)

**Path to permanent residence · 1**

- **PR after 5 years** · Permanent resident of the European Union status

## Arriving in Latvia: first steps

1. Make sure your invitation or sponsorship is approved by OCMA before you submit your permit application.
2. Arrange health cover as required for your route; for employment, the employer is responsible for health care.
3. Have proof of subsistence ready for yourself and any family members applying with you.
4. Submit documents in Latvian or English for initial permit and visa applications.
5. Once settled, register your address and open a bank account for local payments.
6. Keep your tax position separate: declare foreign-source income as a resident where required.

## Questions people ask

### What is the Latvia digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026?

Latvia has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/digital-nomad-visa/) asks for an income of at least EUR 4,538 a month (≈ $5,070) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.

### How much do you need to invest for residency in Latvia?

Latvia has 2 investor routes. [Investor · €150k fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/investor-aif-fund/) asks for an investment of at least EUR 150,000 (≈ $168,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years. [Investor · €50k share capital](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/investor-share-capital/) asks for an investment from EUR 50,000 (≈ $55,900) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed.

### Can I retire or live in Latvia on my savings or pension?

Latvia has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [Retiree residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/retiree/) asks for an income of at least EUR 1,231 a month (≈ $1,380) and gives a first stay of 2 years.

### Can I move to Latvia by starting a business?

Latvia has 2 business or startup routes. [Company board member permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/company-officer/) asks for assets of at least EUR 2,800 (≈ $3,130) and gives a first stay of 2 years. [Startup founder permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/startup-founder/) asks for an income of at least EUR 780 a month (≈ $870) and gives a first stay of 3 years.

### What work visas does Latvia offer foreigners?

Latvia has 5 work visas. [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/eu-blue-card/) asks for a salary from EUR 2,178 a month (≈ $2,430) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Seasonal work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/seasonal-work-visa/) asks for a salary from EUR 1,516 a month (≈ $1,690) and gives a first stay of 6 months that can be renewed. [Work visa (D)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/work-visa-d/) asks for a salary of at least EUR 1,815 a month (≈ $2,030) and gives a first stay of 1 year.

### How do I get a student visa for Latvia?

Latvia has 1 student visa. [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/study/) gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed.

### Can I join my spouse or partner in Latvia?

Yes. Latvia has 1 spouse visa. [Spouse visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/latvia/family/) asks for an income of at least EUR 780 a month (≈ $870) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed.

## Compare with

[🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
