Latvia: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Latvian citizenship by naturalisation comes after 5 years with permanent residence, which is granted after 5 years of temporary residence and an Latvian test — about 10 years in total. You need tests in Latvian, history, the anthem and the Constitution, and a legal income. Dual citizenship is only for citizens of the EU, EEA, NATO, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and agreement countries; citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus must give up their previous one. Since 2022 permanent-residence rules for Russian citizens are stricter (mandatory A2), and they are not issued the digital nomad visa; time on that visa counts for no one. Whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it.
- • 5 years with permanent residence and renunciation
- • EU citizens — 5 years, keeping their citizenship
- • citizens of NATO, EEA and agreement countries — 5 years, keeping their citizenship
Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–1.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Riga | €1,320 | €3,270 |
| Daugavpils | €1,020 | €2,640 |
| Liepāja | €1,100 | €2,780 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety79
- Earning potential74
- Healthcare68
- Path to citizenship28
- Schools and education61
- Environment68
- Warm, sunny climate29
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Latvia, and how long does it take?
5 years with permanent residence and renunciation; EU citizens — 5 years, keeping their citizenship; citizens of NATO, EEA and agreement countries — 5 years, keeping their citizenship. Processing takes 0.5–1 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Latvia?
The main routes we cover: Temporary residence (work, business, study, family). The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
Can I keep my citizenship in Latvia?
Only citizens of the EU, EEA, NATO, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and agreement countries may keep it; citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus must give it up.
How much does it cost to live in Latvia per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Riga ≈ €1,320 / €3,270; Daugavpils ≈ €1,020 / €2,640; Liepāja ≈ €1,100 / €2,780. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Latvia?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Riga €525–€775; Daugavpils €275–€385; Liepāja €350–€480.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
- Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP)
- Permanent residence — after 5 years of temporary residence (at least 4 of 5 years in the country) and an A2 Latvian test. For Russian citizens the Saeima's 2022 and 2024 amendments also require A2 to keep earlier permanent permits; they are not issued the digital nomad visa, and that visa does not count towards residence
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.