The Latvian Parliament has adopted a new Immigration Law that introduces significant changes, including to the residence permit regime. Unlike previous amendments, this is a completely new law. The information below is based on the Immigration Law as adopted upon reconsideration, which will enter into force on 15 September 2026.
Below is a summary of the key changes relevant for investors and individuals considering obtaining rights to reside in Latvia.
One of the most important changes is that temporary residence permits based on real estate purchases will no longer be available under the new law. The legislator did not include real estate acquisition as a valid ground for obtaining a temporary residence permit. As a result, this pathway has been discontinued.
The new law retains the existing pathway for obtaining a temporary residence permit through investment in a company’s share capital; however, it significantly reduces the permit’s validity period to two years. The investment thresholds and the initial state budget contribution (EUR 10,000) remain unchanged. A new provision has been adopted allowing foreign nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit for up to five years in exchange for an investment of at least EUR 150,000 into a state-established alternative investment fund manager, along with an additional EUR 10,000 contribution into the state budget. The residence permit remains valid only as long as the investment is maintained at the required level (EUR 150,000) throughout the entire period.
The temporary residence permit period linked to employment is also significantly reduced – going forward, a temporary residence permit in connection with employment relationships will be issued for up to one year. The EU Blue Card is unaffected by this change and continues to carry a two-year temporary residence permit period.
The new Immigration Law introduces a broad and structured list of grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit, primarily focused on family reunification, employment, business activities, studies, research, etc. It also expands and clarifies the grounds for refusal and annulment of residence permits. More than 30 Cabinet of Ministers regulations that have until now governed immigration matters will remain in force, insofar as they do not conflict with the new law, until replaced by new implementing regulations, which must be issued no later than 1 December 2027.
Existing temporary residence permits will remain valid until the expiry of the registration date or the validity period (if there is no registration expiry date), but extensions may be subject to the new rules. Existing permanent residence permits will have to be registered in accordance with the newly adopted legislation.
