How to Get Latvia CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 5 years
- Language
- Required, no test
- Dual citizenship
- Not accepted
- Civic test
- Required, no test specified
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Not acceptedNew citizens must give up their previous citizenship, with major exceptions.Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad, with exceptions.
- Available routes
- Region
- Europe
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
For foreign nationals living in Latvia, this is the ordinary route based on residence. Latvia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
- Residence
- 5 years
Person has been permanently resident in Latvia for 5 years.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship, with major exceptions
Renunciation or automatic loss of citizenship of another country required. Exemption from renunciation requirement applies to nationals of a Member State of the EU, the EFTA or NATO, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or a country with which Latvia has concluded a dual citizenship agreement.
- Language
- Required, no test or certificate specified
Proficiency in language of Latvia required.
- Civic knowledge
- Required, no test specified
Knowledge of basic principles of the Constitution, national anthem and history of the country, and pledge of loyalty to Latvia required. Pledge loyalty to Latvia.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Person committed an act listed in LAT 11
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Legal income and no due taxes.
Descent (citizen parent)
This route covers children of a citizen of Latvia, subject to the conditions below. No authority decides this matter, since citizenship follows directly from the law of Latvia.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Latvia to two citizens, or to one citizen and LAT 9(2) or 9(5) (regarding dual citizenship) are complied with.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad to two citizens, or to one citizen and LAT 9(2) or 9(5) (regarding dual citizenship) is complied with.
Child of a new citizen
A parent acquiring citizenship of Latvia is the basis of this route. Latvia requires an application, after which citizenship must be granted if conditions are fulfilled.
Person is a minor, permanently resident in Latvia, and his/her father or mother is acquiring citizenship (child must consent if between the age of 14-18). Agreement from both parents is required if the other parent remains a citizen of another country. Other condition: renunciation of citizenship of another country (unless person is a national of a Member State of the EU, the EFTA or NATO, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or a country with which Latvia has concluded a dual citizenship agreement).
Former citizens (reacquisition)
Earlier citizenship of Latvia is the basis of this route.
Person is a former citizen under the age of 25 who lost citizenship as a result of a choice made by his/her parents or adopters without his/her written consent, except if the person has acquired citizenship of a country not explicitly listed in the Citizenship Act and to which the restrictions of LAT 11 apply (except the restrictions on military service).
Person whose citizenship was withdrawn under mode of loss L06 may only reacquire citizenship 5 years after the period for appealing the withdrawal or a court judgment rejecting the appeal have passed. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Citizens of specific countries
This route covers citizens of certain other countries, subject to the conditions below. Latvia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person is a national of a Member State of the EU, the EFTA or NATO, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or a country with which Latvia has concluded a dual citizenship agreement. Decision regarding naturalisation is made by the Cabinet of Ministers and cannot be appealed. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation (except renunciation requirement).
Stateless persons
For people without any citizenship, the rules below show what the law of Latvia provides.
Foundlings
Person is found in Latvia of unknown parentage, or person is left without parental care or is an orphan and is under extra-familial care in Latvia.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is a minor, born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 both whose parents are stateless persons (or comparable status 'non-citizens') and the parents have permanent residence in Latvia (with permanent residence permit if arrived after 1 July 1992). Application does not need to be submitted by both parents.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is a minor, born in Latvia after August 21, 1991, has been stateless (or comparable status: 'non-citizen') since birth, and is a permanent resident. Declaration until the age of 15 by legal representative(s) who is (are) also stateless, and has been resident in Latvia for 5 years. From age of 15 and until the age of 18: declaration by person under further condition that he/she is proficient in the language of Latvia (but exceptions under LAT 21), and has not been sentenced for committing a serious crime.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is a minor, born in Latvia after 1 January 2020, both of whose parents are 'non-citizens' , unless the parents have agreed on citizenship of another state or the child is a citizen of another country.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is a minor, born outside Latvia after 1 January 2020 or whose one parent is a citizen of another country and one of whom has non-citizen status. Parents must submit an application for the grant of Latvian citizenship and affirm that the child is not and has not been a citizen of any other country and submit a document issued by a competent authority confirming that the child is not and has not been a citizen of the specific country.
Special achievements
This route covers people recognised for special achievements or for contributions to Latvia, subject to the conditions below. Latvia allows authorities to refuse an application, even where conditions have been met.
Person has rendered special meritorious service for the benefit of Latvia. Other condition: no further restrictions (see LAT 11).
Not available in Latvia: Marriage or civil partnership, Birth in the country, Adoption, Other family members of citizens, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service, Investment. Based on the GLOBALCIT coding of the law, updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
Latvia does not generally accept dual citizenship.
- New citizens
- New citizens must give up their previous citizenship, with major exceptions
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Authorities can withdraw citizenship from citizens who naturalise abroad, with exceptions
Person acquires citizenship of another country (and is under an obligation to inform the Latvian authorities of this within 30 days). Unless this country is a Member State of the EU, EFTA or NATO, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, or a country with which Latvia concluded a dual citizenship agreement. Person may receive permission from the government if retention of Latvian citizenship is in the State.
Compare with neighbours
Under the law of Latvia, 5 years applies, which is shorter than the usual 8 years seen in Northern Europe.
Compare Latvia with all countries in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Estonia | 8 years | Required, no test | Citizens abroad only |
 Finland | 8 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 Iceland | 7 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Ireland | 5 years | None | Accepted |
 Norway | 8 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
 United Kingdom | 5 years | Test or certificate | Accepted |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 10-12, 17.
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Latvia Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/latvia/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/latvia/">How to Get Latvia Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become a Latvian citizen?
5 years of residence, under the ordinary naturalisation route. The conditions that come with it are listed on this page.
Does Latvia allow dual citizenship?
Generally no. The law of Latvia does not accept dual citizenship in either direction.
Do I need a language test for Latvian citizenship?
The law of Latvia mentions a language requirement without pointing to a specific exam.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Latvian citizenship?
Applicants are expected to have civic knowledge, though Latvia sets out no particular test.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Latvian citizenship?
The law of Latvia requires renunciation, but some exceptions apply.
Can I get Latvia citizenship by marriage?
The data codes no separate marriage route for Latvia. Spouses would use another route in the law, if one applies.
Can I get Latvia citizenship by descent?
Yes. A child of a citizen can acquire citizenship of Latvia by descent. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Latvia citizenship by investment?
No investment route is coded in the law of Latvia.
Related pages
Also see: Latvia passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.