Written by the US GO EU Latvia investment team, in consultation with Latvian immigration attorneys · Last updated July 2026
€280k
Subordinated bank deposit minimum — held for 5 years with an authorised Latvian credit institution. Plus a one-time €25,000 state fee
30–90d
Typical processing timeline — one of the faster investor residency turnarounds in the EU once all documents are in order
0 days
Minimum stay requirement — Latvia does not mandate minimum physical presence to maintain your residence permit
Why Choose the Latvia Bank Deposit Investor Visa
The bank deposit route is Latvia’s most passive investor residency pathway — and for investors who want EU residency without the ongoing obligations of property management or business oversight, it is the most straightforward option available. Place your funds with an authorised Latvian bank, let your capital sit in a regulated European institution, and let the residency application process run its course. No tenants, no directors, no complications.
Truly Passive Investment
Place a Deposit. Receive EU Residency.
€280,000 Deposit · Authorised Latvian Bank · 5-Year Hold · No Active Management
The bank deposit route requires no active management. Unlike real estate (maintenance, tenants, repairs) or share capital (company oversight, tax compliance monitoring), a subordinated bank deposit in an authorised Latvian credit institution is entirely passive. Your funds sit in a regulated European banking institution for 5 years — and your residency permit is maintained without any ongoing operational involvement.
EU Access, Flexibility & Family
Schengen Access. Zero Minimum Stay.
Latvia · Schengen Area (29 Countries) · Spouse · Children Under 18 · No Stay Requirement
A Latvian residence permit grants the right to live in Latvia and travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area. Your spouse and dependent children (typically under 18) are included under your application. Latvia imposes no minimum physical presence requirement — you maintain your global lifestyle while holding full EU residency. After 5 years: apply for permanent residence or EU long-term resident status.
Bank Deposit Route: Full Qualifying Criteria
To qualify under the bank deposit route, you must place a subordinated deposit with an authorised Latvian credit institution meeting all programme requirements. This is the most passive and structurally simple of all Latvia’s investor visa pathways.
| Requirement | Details & Key Notes |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit €280,000 subordinated deposit |
A minimum of €280,000 must be placed as a subordinated deposit with an authorised Latvian credit institution. A subordinated deposit means your funds are placed on terms that rank below senior creditors in the event of bank insolvency — in exchange for this subordination, the deposit qualifies as a qualifying capital contribution under the immigration programme. |
| State fee €25,000 — one-time, upon approval |
A mandatory one-time government fee of €25,000 is required upon approval of your residence permit. This fee is non-refundable and is separate from your bank deposit. Total minimum outlay for this route: €305,000 (€280,000 deposit + €25,000 state fee). |
| Holding period 5 years minimum — mandatory |
The deposit must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years. Early withdrawal will typically result in loss of residency status. The deposit cannot be withdrawn or transferred during this period without jeopardising your permit. Plan for the full 5-year illiquidity before committing this capital. |
| Authorised bank Latvian credit institution only |
The deposit must be placed with a Latvian bank that meets all regulatory requirements for the programme. Not all Latvian banks are authorised for this purpose — confirm the specific bank’s current authorisation status with your legal advisor before opening any accounts or transferring funds. |
| Interest on deposit Subject to bank terms |
As a subordinated deposit, the interest rate is typically lower than standard deposit rates — or in some cases the deposit may be interest-free depending on the bank’s current terms. The primary purpose of this investment is EU residency, not return on capital. Clarify current interest terms with your chosen bank before placing funds. |
| After 5 years Deposit returned or permanent residence |
After 5 years: your deposit can be withdrawn (unlike the state fee, the deposit principal is returned). You may then apply for permanent residence or EU long-term resident status — which does not require continued investment. Alternatively, you may reinvest through a different qualifying route to renew your temporary permit. |
Latvia’s bank deposit route offers something most EU residency programmes do not: a genuinely passive investment held in a regulated European bank, with no property to manage, no company to oversee, and no ongoing compliance obligations beyond maintaining the deposit. For investors who value simplicity above all, it is the most frictionless path to EU residency available.
US GO EU — Latvia Bank Deposit Investor Visa Guide
The Bank Deposit Investor Visa Application Process
Step 1 — Bank Selection, Account Opening & Deposit Placement
Engage your Latvian investment and immigration specialists to identify an authorised Latvian credit institution currently accepting subordinated deposits under the investor visa programme. Not all Latvian banks participate — your specialist confirms current authorisation status and deposit terms before any account opening. Check LocalVouch for immigration specialists other American investors have personally recommended. Open your account with the selected bank, transfer the €280,000 deposit, and obtain the formal deposit agreement documenting the subordinated nature of the placement and the 5-year holding period. Your specialist manages all bank liaison and documentation requirements throughout this process.
Step 2 — Application Submission to PMLP
Once your deposit is placed and documented, submit your investor residency application to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), supported by: the signed subordinated deposit agreement, bank confirmation of deposit placement, clean criminal record (apostilled FBI background check), valid passport, comprehensive health insurance valid in Latvia, proof of accommodation in Latvia, and family member documentation if applicable. The €25,000 state fee is paid upon approval — not at submission. Latvia’s PMLP processes bank deposit investor applications with a typical timeline of 30–90 days from submission.
Step 3 — Residence Permit, 5-Year Hold & Permanent Residence
Upon approval and payment of the €25,000 state fee, your Latvian investor residence permit is issued for you and included family members — granting full Schengen Area access with no minimum stay obligation. Maintain the deposit in the authorised bank for the full 5-year holding period. Do not withdraw or transfer funds during this period — early withdrawal typically results in loss of residency status. After 5 years: your deposit principal is returned, and you may apply for permanent residence or EU long-term resident status (which does not require continued investment) — or reinvest through a qualifying route to renew your temporary permit.
Our End-to-End Bank Deposit Investor Visa Service
Dedicated Banking & Immigration Specialists
A team proficient in Latvian banking regulations, subordinated deposit structures, and the investor residency programme’s specific bank deposit requirements — including cross-border wealth structuring and US-specific dimensions such as FBAR obligations from foreign bank accounts, FATCA reporting, and the tax treatment of a Latvian subordinated deposit under the US-Latvia relationship.
Full-Service Management
From authorised bank selection and account opening through deposit placement, deposit agreement documentation, application submission, biometrics coordination, state fee management, and permit collection — we manage every stage. This is Latvia’s most straightforward investor route, and our process reflects that: efficient, clear, and with minimal burden on you.
Trusted Local Banking Network
Direct access to authorised Latvian credit institutions currently accepting qualifying subordinated deposits under the programme. We confirm current bank authorisation status, deposit terms, and account opening requirements before you transfer any funds — ensuring your deposit is correctly structured and fully compliant from day one.
Clear, Efficient Process
Transparent steps, defined government timelines (30–90 days), fixed fees, and professional oversight from deposit placement to permit collection. The bank deposit route is intentionally simple — and our process mirrors that simplicity. You will always know exactly where your application stands and what is required next.
What to Know Before You Deposit
A subordinated deposit is different from a standard bank deposit — understand the distinction
A subordinated deposit ranks below senior creditors in the event of bank insolvency — meaning in a worst-case scenario, your funds would only be recovered after senior depositors are paid. This subordination is what makes the deposit qualify under Latvia’s investor visa programme. It is not the same as a standard savings or term deposit. Ensure you understand and accept this structure before placing funds.
Not all Latvian banks are authorised for this programme — verify before transferring funds
The deposit must be placed with a Latvian credit institution specifically authorised for the investor visa programme. Not all Latvian banks qualify. Depositing funds with a non-authorised bank — even a reputable one — will not satisfy the programme requirements and will not qualify your residency application. Always confirm authorisation status with your legal advisor before opening any account or initiating any transfer.
The 5-year holding period creates illiquidity — plan your cash flow accordingly
Your €280,000 deposit must remain in place for a full 5 years. Early withdrawal typically results in loss of residency status. Do not allocate capital to this route that you may need access to within the 5-year window. The deposit principal is returned after 5 years (the €25,000 state fee is not) — so this is a temporary illiquidity, not a permanent loss. Plan accordingly.
The €25,000 state fee is paid on approval — not at submission
Unlike the share capital route (where the €10,000 state fee is paid at investment), the bank deposit route’s €25,000 state fee is due upon permit approval. Budget for this payment at the point of approval, not the point of application. Total minimum outlay: €305,000 (€280,000 deposit + €25,000 state fee), with the deposit returned after 5 years.
A Latvian bank account creates US financial reporting obligations
Holding a Latvian bank account with over $10,000 creates annual FBAR (FinCEN 114) filing obligations for US citizens, regardless of whether the account earns interest. FATCA reporting may also apply. Any interest income earned on the deposit is taxable in the US. Consult a cross-border tax advisor familiar with US expat tax law and the US-Latvia tax relationship before placing your deposit — to ensure correct reporting from the outset.
The Latvia Investor Visa is right for you if
- →You want EU and Schengen residency with flexible investment options — real estate, deposit, equity, or bonds.
- →You value one of the fastest investor residency processing timelines in the EU with clear, predictable procedures.
- →You want to include your spouse and dependent children under a single application.
- →You seek a pragmatic, accessible route to a Baltic EU foothold — with a capital-preservation option (bonds, fully refundable after 5 years) for longer-term investors.
The Latvia Investor Visa offers a pragmatic and accessible route to EU residency — but success hinges on meticulous preparation and strict compliance with the requirements of your chosen investment route. We connect you with trusted, on-the-ground Latvian experts to select, structure, and execute your qualifying investment and manage every step of the residency application process.