European residence by investment is often associated with property purchases and investment requirements running into several hundred thousand euros. Latvia offers a lesser-known alternative, with a qualifying equity investment starting at €50,000.
For international investors and families comparing European residency options, that lower entry point makes Latvia worth a closer look. The investment provides access to a renewable Latvian residence route, with the first temporary residence permit issued for up to two years.
Get Latvian residence with Schengen travel rights through investing in Latvia
Latvia has offered residence by investment since 2010. Under the new Immigration Law that took effect on 15 September 2026, the €50,000 company-investment route remains available. It provides a comparatively low-entry route to Latvian residence and Schengen travel rights.
The first temporary residence permit can be issued for up to two years. After that, the permit can be renewed, provided the investment and other qualifying conditions are still met.
Latvia residence by investment cost
The pathway is roughly:
- Invest €50,000 and make the initial €10,000 state contribution.
- Receive a temporary residence permit for up to two years.
- Apply for another temporary residence permit when the first one expires, provided the investment and company still qualify.
- Continue renewing the permit if you want to maintain temporary residence.
- If you actually live in Latvia continuously for five years and meet the other requirements, you may become eligible to apply for EU long-term resident status and permanent residence.
How does the €50,000 investment route work?
The qualifying investment starts at €50,000. Rather than requiring each applicant to fund a large commercial project independently, the investment provider brings together several investors to invest in qualifying Latvian projects.
Each investor participates through the relevant investment structure, while Latvian legal specialists handle the residence application process. This is what makes the comparatively low entry point possible.
Under current Latvian law, the €50,000 route applies to investments in companies with no more than 50 employees and annual turnover or a balance sheet total of no more than €10 million. A maximum of 10 foreign investors can qualify through the same company.
The company must also continue meeting certain requirements, including paying at least €40,000 per year in Latvian state and municipal taxes while the residence permits remain valid.
What does Latvia residence by investment cost?
For the current investment structure available through Prism’s Latvian partner, the overall cost is approximately €80,000.
This consists of:
- €50,000 qualifying investment
- €10,000 government contribution
- €10,000 investment management fee
- approximately €10,000 legal fee
The €50,000 investment is therefore only one part of the total amount an applicant needs to budget for. Additional costs may also apply when the residence permit is renewed.
Can you bring your family?
Yes. The residence application can cover the main applicant together with their spouse and children under 18.
For some applicants, this makes Latvia more interesting as a family mobility option rather than simply an individual residence permit.
What does the residence permit offer?
One of the main reasons international clients consider Latvia is its position within the European Union and Schengen Area.
Under the new Immigration Law, the temporary residence permit for the €50,000 company-investment route can be issued for up to two years and can be renewed if the qualifying conditions continue to be met.
A Latvian residence permit also allows the holder to travel in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the applicable conditions. It does not provide the right to work in other Schengen countries.
For someone who does business, has family connections or regularly travels across Europe, that can be more important than relocating permanently to Latvia itself.
If the objective is permanent residence, simply holding and renewing the investment permit while living elsewhere is not enough. EU long-term resident status generally requires five years of continuous lawful residence in Latvia. Absences are limited, and applicants must also meet financial and Latvian language requirements.
Is the €50,000 returned?
The €50,000 is invested rather than paid as a government fee. The current investment opportunity is connected to projects in Latvia’s energy sector and targets an investor return. Any return depends on the performance of the underlying investment and is not guaranteed.
Investors should also not assume that the €50,000 can be withdrawn on demand. Under the current structure, exiting the investment may depend on another investor taking their place. The investment should therefore be assessed on both its potential return and its liquidity before proceeding.
Who could Latvia residence by investment suit?
Latvia may be worth considering for someone who:
- wants residence in an EU member state
- values easier travel within the Schengen Area
- wants to include their spouse and minor children
- prefers a lower qualifying investment than many better-known European programmes
- does not necessarily want to make a substantial property purchase
- is comfortable evaluating an investment alongside the immigration benefits
When comparing residence-by-investment programmes, the lowest investment requirement should never be the only consideration. At Prism, we help you compare the options based on your specific situation and long-term plans.
Together, we look at the full cost, eligibility requirements, family provisions, investment risk, exit conditions, tax implications and how the residence permit fits into your wider plans.
If you are interested in Latvia residence by investment, read more about investing in Latvia here or contact Prism to discuss whether the programme could be suitable for you.
