Business licenses in Latvia: a full overview in 2025
Doing business in Latvia, as in any EU country, requires compliance with legislation, including compulsory licensing of certain types of activities. In some areas, permits, licenses or registration with the relevant state bodies are required. In this article, we will examine the main types of licenses that can be used by entrepreneurs in Latvia depending on the industry and the sphere of business.

✅ When do I need a license?

A license or permit is required if a business:
* provides financial, medical, educational, legal, telecommunications, transportation or other regulated services;
* associated with alcohol, tobacco, gambling, currency transactions;
* performs activities related to health, safety, protection of the surrounding environment.

Violation of licensing requirements may result in termination, suspension of activity or general liability.

📚 The main categories of licenses and permits in Latvia
1. Financial and credit activity
Regulatory body: Financial and Capital Markets Commission (FKTC)
Licenses are required for:
* Banking
* Microfinance
* Scary companies
* Investment funds
* Financial consultants
* Payment systems and service providers (including financial technology companies)
📌 FKTK license requires the availability of authorized capital, business plan, internal safety policy and certificate of asset utilization.

2. Licenses for the sale of alcohol and tobacco products
Institution: State Revenue Service (VID) and local self-government
Permissions are required for:
* Roznichnaya and smoked alcohol
* Manufacture or import of alcohol
* Sale of tobacco products
📌 It is also necessary to obtain the consent of the local municipality in which the trading point is located.

3. Ignornaya license
Institution: Inspection for control of lotteries and gambling
Types of licensed activities:
* Casino
* Slot machines
* Bookmakers
* Card games online
📌 A high degree of compliance is required: technical equipment, protection of players, internal procedures, protection against theft of money.

4. Security license
Institution: Gosudarstvennaya polizia
Necessary:
* For private security companies
* For technical safety
* To ensure the safety of events
📌 Applicants must undergo training, have a permit to carry weapons and be free from the judiciary.

5. License of passenger and cargo transportation
Institution: Directorate of Road Transport (ATD)
Necessary:
* For regular and irregular bus routes
* For taxi and private transport
* For international transfers
📌 Professional competence, means of transport and licensed drivers are required.

6. Educational Licenses
Institution: State Service of Quality Education
Necessary:
* For private schools and training centers
* Courses of non-continuing education
* For online training, which issues diplomas
📌 Accreditation of programs, instructors and training conditions is required.

7. Medical license
Institution: Health Inspectorate
Necessary:
* For private clinics
* For medical institutions
* For physiotherapists and dentists
📌 All establishments must undergo equipment expertise, personnel qualifications and sanitary conditions.

8. Real Estate Operations
Institution: VID + municipalities
Licenses and permits are required for:
* For real estate agents (in the case of customer funds)
* Operators of short-term rental housing (Airbnb, etc.)
📌 Contracts, business registration and payment of duties are required.

9. Industrial and environmental activity
Institution: State Agency for Environmental Protection (VVD)
Permissions are required for:
* Exhibitions in creative industries
* For utilization of outflows
* For chemical, construction and engineering industries
📌 Companies are subjected to environmental expertise and are evaluated according to the level of risk.

10. Screaming industry and public nutrition
Institution: Food and Veterinary Service (PVD)
Licenses are required for:
* Cafes, restaurants, bakeries
* For manufacturing product enquiries
* Import/export of products and cheeses
📌 Sanitary conditions, compliance with food standards, markings and reporting are required.

11. Telecommunication and Internet services
Institution: Council of State Services (SPRK)
Registration required:
* Internet service settings
* Hosting Platforms
* For operator connections
📌 Registration and compliance with the General Data Protection Act (GDPR) is required.

12. Handicraft services (for example, beauty salons, massage, tattoos)
Institution: Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) + PVD (if applicable to skin and skin)
Permissions and registration are required:
* For Parikmachers
* For beauty salons
* For tattooists and masseurs
📌 Hygienic certificates, sanitary control and compliance with customer rights are required.

📌 How to get a license in Latvia?
General procedure:
1. Registration of companies or individuals in VID
2. Choosing the right type of activity (NACE code)
3. Preparation of documents: business plan, lease agreement, diplomas, medical certificates
4. Submit applications to the appropriate authority
5. Duration of examinations (from 10 to 60 days in license dependencies)
6. Obtaining permission and control visit (if necessary)

🧾 Useful resources:
* vid.gov.lv — State Revenue Service
* fktk.lv — Financial regulator
* pvd.gov.lv — Food and Veterinary Service
* sprk.gov.lv — Council of State Service
* likumi.lv — all applicable laws of Latvia

⚖️ Legal assistance from Lex&Finance
Obtaining licenses in Latvia is a process that requires knowledge of legislation, accurate preparation of documents and compliance with deadlines. Legal company Inlatplus provides assistance:
* When preparing the package of documents
* In consultation on licensing requirements
* In support of performances in state bodies
* Refusal appeal and dispute resolution

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We can legally and safely start a business in any industry, complying with all the requirements of Latvian legislation. 📞 Contact us — and start your business in Latvia with confidence.