Latvia is a beautiful Northern European country that offers a straightforward real estate investment visa program. The Latvia Golden Visa allows investors to gain residency rights by buying property in Latvia. There are no minimum stay requirements. The Latvia investment visa program provides visa-free access to the Schengen area. In this article, we will discuss the Latvia investment visa requirements, application process, and benefits in detail.
Overview of Latvia investment visa
The Latvia Golden Visa program was launched in 2010 to attract foreign investment into the country. It allows non-EU investors to gain temporary residency by investing in real estate. The minimum investment required is €250,000 in Riga or €150,000 in other regions. Spouses and dependent children under 18 are also eligible for residency. The Latvia investment visa is valid for 5 years and can be renewed indefinitely. Key benefits include visa-free travel within Schengen, ability to stay in Latvia without minimum stay requirements, path to permanent residency and citizenship, and more favorable tax treatment compared to non-residents.
Latvia investment visa requirements
The main applicant must be a non-EU national and invest at least €250,000 in real estate in Riga or €150,000 in other regions of Latvia. The property can be residential or commercial. Applicants cannot have a criminal record and must provide documentation proving the legal source of funds used for investment. Dependent family members such as spouse and children under 18 can be included in the application. The Latvia investment visa allows you to reside in Latvia without actually living there. You only need to spend 1 day in Latvia every 5 years to maintain your residency status.
How to apply for Latvia Golden Visa
The Latvia investment visa application has two main steps. First, you need to buy qualifying real estate through a local lawyer or real estate agent. Once the purchase is complete, you can apply for the temporary residence permit by submitting required documents to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The process takes about 3 months and there is no interview requirement. You just need to provide background checks, proof of investment, valid passport copies, birth certificates, bank statements, marriage certificates if applicable, and pay the state fee.
Benefits of Latvia Golden Visa
The key benefits of the Latvia investment visa include: – Visa-free access to Schengen area – No physical residence requirements – Low investment threshold starting 150,000 EUR – Temporary residence permit valid for up to 5 years – Renewable and provides path to citizenship – Family members eligible – Favorable tax treatment – Ability to work, study and travel freely across Schengen zone – High quality of life, safety and excellent infrastructure in Latvia – Can be combined with digital nomad visas in other countries
The Latvia Golden Visa program offers easy access to Europe for investors by providing temporary residence rights in exchange for real estate purchase of at least 150,000 EUR. Applicants gain visa-free travel within Schengen and a high quality of life based in an EU member state. The program has low physical presence requirements and a clear path to permanent residency and citizenship.