Startup Residence Permit
Latvia
Last updated: December 26, 2025
3 years (renewable)
$176-$308
30-60 days
Medium
About this Visa
This visa lets entrepreneurs from outside the EU start and run a tech business in Latvia for up to 3 years. You don't need to invest your own money into the company—just prove you can live there. It's one of the fastest startup visas in Europe (approved in 1-2 months). You can work in your own business, travel freely across Europe, and bring your spouse and kids. Your family gets free school and healthcare. After 5 years, you can get permanent residency and eventually become a Latvian citizen. The program only accepts businesses that are real and growing—not just ideas. You need real customers and proof that people want what you're selling.
Key Benefits
- Work your own business without restrictions
- Travel visa-free across all of Europe (Schengen area)
- Bring your spouse and kids with you
- Free school and healthcare for your children
- Pay almost no corporate tax on profits you reinvest (0% tax in Latvia)
- Live without any mandatory stay requirement
- Clear path to permanent residency after 5 years
- No job employment restrictions for your spouse
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be 18 or older
- Must have no criminal record (or criminal record within specific limits)
- Must have at least €500 per month in savings
- Must have valid health insurance
- Must have a real business idea—not just a concept (as of 2024)
- Must show paying customers, sales, or pre-orders (not just projections)
- Your business must be innovative and technology-focused
- Maximum 5 founders per startup can apply together
Financial Requirement
You need €500 per month in savings (about $589). If you have kids, add €150 per child per month. You must show recent bank statements.
Documents
- Valid passportMust be valid for 3+ months after application
- Criminal record certificateFrom your home country, less than 6 months old, officially certified
- Proof of residenceLetter from landlord or lease showing where you'll live in Latvia
- Bank statementsShowing you have enough money, issued in last 3 months
- Health insurance policyMinimum €42,600 coverage
- Medical certificateShowing you don't have active tuberculosis
- Business plan2-3 pages explaining your idea, market, and team
- Company registration proofOr commitment to register within 3 months
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.