In short
Since Latvia's new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026, investing in a Latvian company's share capital is the only investor route open to new applicants. You invest €50,000 in a company with no more than 50 staff and no more than €10 million turnover or balance (€100,000 for larger companies) and pay a €10,000 state fee after the positive decision. The permit is now issued for up to 2 years instead of 5, one company can support at most 10 investor permits, and after 5 years you can apply for EU permanent resident status (Latvian at A2 level and a culture course required).
Latvia share capital: key facts
Last verified 27 September 2026| Investor routes open | Share capital only (bank deposit and real estate closed 15 Sep 2026; bonds closed 20 May 2026)# Source: PMLP: New Immigration Law takes effect, key changes · Amendments to the Immigration Law (in force 20 May 2026), likumi.lv |
|---|---|
| Share capital investment | €50,000 (company with ≤50 staff and ≤€10m turnover or balance)# Source: PMLP: Share capital investor |
| Share capital | €100,000 (company with >50 staff and >€10m turnover or balance)# Source: PMLP: Share capital investor |
| State fee | €10,000, paid after the positive decision# Source: PMLP: Share capital investor |
| Minimum total cost | €60,000 (€50,000 + €10,000 fee)# Source: PMLP: Share capital investor |
| Permit validity | Up to 2 years (was up to 5)# Source: LV portāls: New Immigration Law in force (official publisher) |
| Investors per company | Max. 10 permits per company investment# Source: PMLP: Share capital investor |
| Residence permit decision | Up to 4 months (statutory maximum)# Source: PMLP: New Immigration Law takes effect, key changes |
| Permanent residence | After 5 years on a temporary permit, with Latvian at A2 level and a culture and history course# Source: PMLP: New Immigration Law takes effect, key changes · LV portāls: New Immigration Law in force (official publisher) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The share capital permit is open to all non-EU nationals on the same terms, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits invest exactly as described on this page. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Family members | Spouses and minor children can join an investor whatever their nationality. (The new law's NATO-citizen limit on bringing family applies to students, not investors.) |
|---|---|
| Tax at home | The US taxes its citizens wherever they live, so the FBAR and PFIC notes on this page apply to Americans only. Other countries have their own rules for owning shares in a foreign company. Check with a tax advisor in your country. |
| Tax treaty with Latvia | In force with the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Singapore; none with Australia or New Zealand.Source: State Revenue Service: tax treaties in force |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Investment Requirements
Share Capital Route: Full Qualifying Criteria
To qualify under the share capital route, you must make a compliant investment into the share capital of a qualifying Latvian company. The company must meet specific size and tax criteria, and the investor limit per company applies. All requirements below must be satisfied simultaneously.
| Requirement | Details & Key Notes |
|---|---|
| Minimum investment €50,000 share capital | A minimum of €50,000 must be contributed into the share capital of a qualifying Latvian company. It becomes part of the company's equity, not a loan. The investment must be properly documented and registered with the Latvian Commercial Register. |
| State fee €10,000 — one-time, non-refundable | A mandatory one-time payment of €10,000 to the Latvian state budget. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) gives you the payment details after the decision on your residence permit. This fee is non-refundable and is separate from your investment in the company. Total minimum outlay for this route: €60,000 (€50,000 share capital + €10,000 state fee). |
| Company size criteria No more than 50 employees | The qualifying company must employ no more than 50 people and have an annual turnover or balance sheet not exceeding €10 million to qualify at the €50,000 threshold. |
| Large-company alternative €100,000 investment | Companies with more than 50 employees and a turnover or balance sheet above €10 million (or a parent company whose Latvian group meets these thresholds) require a €100,000 investment instead of €50,000. The €10,000 state fee applies to this tier as well. This route suits investors seeking a more established company profile. |
| Annual tax contribution Previously €40,000/year | Under the previous rules the company had to pay at least €40,000 in taxes a year (€100,000 for the larger-company tier). This is a critical ongoing condition — if the company's tax payments fall below the threshold, your residency status could be at risk. Confirm the current requirement under the new law with PMLP, and verify the company's tax compliance history before investing. |
| Investor limit per company Maximum 10 investors | A residence permit can be issued to no more than 10 foreigners per company investment. This limits the pool of available qualifying companies. Confirm availability with your specialist before beginning due diligence on any specific company. |
| Permit length Up to 2 years | Under the new Immigration Law (in force since 15 September 2026) the share capital permit is issued for up to 2 years instead of up to 5, and renewed while you meet the conditions. After 5 years on temporary permits you can apply for EU permanent resident status, which needs Latvian at A2 level and a culture and history course but no continued investment. |
Latvia's new Immigration Law kept the share capital route but shortened the permit to up to 2 years and closed the real estate and bank deposit routes (the bond route closed on 20 May 2026). Existing permits are reported to stay valid until they expire, with renewals under the new rules, but PMLP has not yet published detailed transition guidance. Confirm current terms with a Latvian immigration specialist or PMLP directly before committing capital.
At €50,000 plus a €10,000 state fee, Latvia's share capital route is one of the most affordable legitimate routes to EU residency by investment in Europe today — and now the only investor route Latvia still offers.
Step by Step
The Share Capital Investor Visa Application Process
Company Identification & Due Diligence (Weeks 1–4)
Engage your Latvian investment and immigration specialists to identify a qualifying company meeting all criteria: no more than 50 employees and turnover or balance sheet up to €10 million (or the €100,000 large-company tier), a sound tax payment record, and investor capacity remaining (maximum 10 investors per company). Check LocalVouch for immigration specialists other American investors have personally recommended. Your specialist conducts thorough due diligence on the company — verifying its financial health, tax compliance history, legal standing, and current investor count. Do not commit capital before due diligence is complete.
Investment Execution & Application Submission
Execute the €50,000 share capital contribution to the qualifying company — documented through a formal share subscription agreement and registered with the Latvian Commercial Register. Once the investment is documented and confirmed, submit your residence permit application to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), supported by: proof of share capital investment, Commercial Register confirmation, clean criminal record (apostilled FBI background check), valid passport, health insurance valid in Latvia, proof of accommodation in Latvia, and family member documentation if applicable. For a first application, documents in English or Latvian are accepted.
Decision, State Fee & Residence Permit
The new law allows up to 4 months for a decision. After a positive decision PMLP sends the payment details for the €10,000 state fee; once it is paid, your Latvian residence permit is issued for up to 2 years. Maintain your share capital investment and make sure the company continues to meet all criteria to renew. After 5 years on temporary permits you can apply for EU permanent resident status (Latvian at A2 level and a culture and history course), which does not require continued investment.
Why Partner with Us
Our End-to-End Share Capital Investor Visa Service
Dedicated Corporate & Immigration Specialists
A team proficient in Latvian corporate regulations, company due diligence, and the investor residency programme's specific share capital requirements — including cross-border wealth structuring and US-specific dimensions such as FBAR/FATCA obligations from foreign equity holdings and the tax implications of Latvian company investment under the US-Latvia relationship.
Full-Service Management
From qualifying company identification and due diligence through investment structuring, share subscription documentation, Commercial Register confirmation, application submission, state fee payment, biometrics coordination, and permit collection — we manage every stage. You focus on the investment decision. We handle all Latvian legal and administrative requirements.
Trusted Local Network of Qualifying Companies
Direct access to vetted Latvian companies currently meeting all qualifying criteria — with confirmed investor capacity, verified tax compliance, and clean legal standing. Finding a qualifying company with remaining investor slots is the most critical step in this route; our network gives you direct access to compliant options without the uncertainty of searching independently.
Clear Process
Transparent steps, fixed fees, and professional oversight from company identification to permit collection. You will always know exactly where your application stands and what comes next.
Key Considerations
What to Know Before You Invest
The company's tax payments are an ongoing condition — monitor them carefully
Under the previous rules the qualifying company had to pay at least €40,000 in taxes to Latvia every year of your permit (€100,000 for the larger-company tier). Confirm the current threshold under the new law. If the company's tax payments fall below it, your residency status could be at risk. Before investing, review the company's tax payment history for the past 3–5 years, and during the permit period make sure your specialist monitors its ongoing compliance.
Qualifying companies with available investor slots are limited — act promptly
The maximum of 10 investors per qualifying company creates genuine scarcity. If you identify a suitable company, confirm remaining capacity before beginning the full due diligence process — a company at its limit cannot accept your investment regardless of how well it otherwise qualifies.
Total cost is €60,000 minimum — budget accurately
The total minimum outlay for this route is €60,000: €50,000 share capital contribution plus the mandatory €10,000 non-refundable state fee. Additionally, budget for legal fees, due diligence costs, and application and renewal processing fees — with permits now issued for up to 2 years, you will renew more often than under the old 5-year permits.
Thorough company due diligence is essential — not optional
Your €50,000 share capital investment becomes part of the company's equity — it is not a loan and is not guaranteed to be returned. The financial health, legal standing, management quality, and ongoing tax compliance of the qualifying company directly affect both your investment security and your residency status. Treat this as a genuine business investment that requires the same due diligence you would apply to any equity investment.
Foreign equity holdings create US tax reporting obligations
Holding equity in a Latvian company and a Latvian bank account creates US tax reporting obligations — FBAR filing if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any time in the year and potential PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company) reporting for the foreign equity stake. The interaction between Latvian company equity and US tax law requires specialist advice. Consult a cross-border tax advisor familiar with FBAR, FATCA, and PFIC rules before completing your share subscription.
The share capital route is right for you if
- You want EU residency with Schengen travel at one of the lowest investment thresholds in Europe.
- You are comfortable making a genuine equity investment in a Latvian company and monitoring it.
- You want to include your spouse and minor children.
- You plan to renew every 2 years and may aim for EU permanent resident status after 5 years.
The share capital route offers a pragmatic and accessible route to EU residency — but success hinges on meticulous preparation and strict compliance with the requirements. 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.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for Latvia's share capital residence permit?
€50,000 in the share capital of a Latvian company with no more than 50 employees and no more than €10 million turnover or balance, or €100,000 in a larger company, plus a €10,000 state fee paid after the positive decision. The minimum total is €60,000.
How long is the Latvian investor residence permit valid?
Under the new Immigration Law in force since 15 September 2026, the share capital permit is issued for up to 2 years (it used to be up to 5) and can be renewed while you meet the conditions. After 5 years on temporary permits you can apply for EU permanent resident status.
Are the other Latvian golden visa routes still available?
No. The real estate and bank deposit routes closed to new applicants on 15 September 2026, and the government bond route closed on 20 May 2026. A new €150,000 state investment fund route exists in the law, but the fund has not been set up yet.
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