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Europe · Latvian · updated 2026-10

Moving to Latvia: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,550 a month to live in Riga, and a family of four about $3,450, including rent. Latvia usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 5 yrs, with citizenship after 10 yrs, and dual citizenship is limited. You can move here without a job offer through the Digital nomad visa.

Monthly budget
$1,550
Very low cost
Safety
59
Moderately safe
Stability
72
Stable
Family
69
Very good
Main city
Riga
Language
Latvian
Permanent residence
5 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
Dual citizenship
Limited
Digital nomad visa
Yes
What can your passport do in Latvia?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
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Cost of living in Latvia, per month in US$

One person
$1,550
Family of four
$3,450
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Riga centre
$600
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$1,100
Estimate
Price level
62
US = 100
Income per person
$2,082
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
59
Moderately safe
Homicides per 100k
2.5
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability+0.81
Rule of law+1.07
Control of corruption+0.77
Government effectiveness+0.83
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Stable overall (72/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
69
Very good
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.707
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
2.5
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
76.4 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$1,645
per person / year
Education spending
4.3%
of GDP

Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.

Visa & residence routes

Remote work
Digital nomad visaAbout €2,860/month remote income.
Job offer
EU Blue CardDegree and a qualifying salary.
Investment
Investor residence€50,000 in a business or €250,000 in property.

Who gets easier access to Latvia

EU/EEA free movement: you can live and work here with simple registration.

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Visiting: 93 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 105 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
5 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
5 years as a permanent resident
Dual citizenship
Limited

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.pmlp.gov.lv/en

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Latvia?

About $1,550 a month for one person and $3,450 for a family of four in Riga, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $600 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,100. Prices are 62% of US levels. Latvia is the 32nd cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Latvia safe to live in?

Latvia scores 59/100 for safety (moderately safe), ranking 51st of 76. The homicide rate is 2.5 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Latvia politically stable?

Latvia scores 72/100 for stability (stable), ranking 28th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Latvia good for families?

Latvia scores 69/100 for family-friendliness (very good), ranking 37th of 76. Life expectancy is 76.4 years and under-5 mortality is 2.5 per 1,000 births. Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Latvia?

Usually 5 yrs of legal residence.

How long until I can become a citizen of Latvia?

Usually 10 yrs of residence. 5 years as a permanent resident. Dual citizenship: limited.

Can I move to Latvia without a job offer?

Yes. Digital nomad visa: About €2,860/month remote income.

Does Latvia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes: the Digital nomad visa. About €2,860/month remote income.

Who can live and work in Latvia without a visa?

you can live and work here with simple registration. (EU / EEA free movement: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.)

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