Changes in Residence Permit and Permanent Residence Rules from 2026

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Are you planning to move to Latvia or already living here with a temporary residence permit? Then you need to know about the upcoming changes in immigration legislation that will come into force from 2026. These new regulations will affect almost all foreigners who want to obtain or renew their residence permit in this Baltic country. Let's figure out what exactly is changing and how it will impact your situation.

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Why Are Residence Permit and Permanent Residence Rules Changing at All

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The Latvian government decided to reform migration policy back in 2024 when the Saeima approved amendments to the Immigration Law. The main goal of these changes is to attract qualified specialists, investors, and people who genuinely integrate into Latvian society. According to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), approximately 89,000 foreigners with various residence permits lived in Latvia in 2023, and this number continues to grow.

The new rules aim to simplify procedures for some categories of applicants and tighten requirements for others. The authorities want to create a more transparent and fair system that meets European Union standards. Moreover, the changes are related to the need to strengthen control over the legality of foreigners' stay and combat fictitious marriages and fake employment contracts.

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Main Changes in Requirements for Obtaining Residence Permits

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From 2026, the process of obtaining a residence permit will become more structured. Applicants must meet new criteria covering financial stability, language proficiency, and integration into society. The minimum monthly income for the main applicant will increase from 750 euros to 950 euros, while for family members this threshold will be 285 euros per person instead of the previous 210 euros.

Proof of Latvian language proficiency at A2 level will become mandatory for most applicant categories, except for highly qualified specialists and investors. This requirement sparked many discussions, but authorities insist that basic knowledge of the state language is critically important for successful integration. The exam can be taken at certified centers, a list of which is published on the State Language Agency website at https://www.valoda.lv.

Another important innovation concerns health insurance. Now the policy must cover at least 30,000 euros in medical expenses and be valid throughout the European Union. Previously, this limit was only 15,000 euros, which often proved insufficient for serious illnesses or accidents.

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Changes for Working Foreigners and Specialists

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If you are obtaining a residence permit based on an employment contract, prepare for more thorough verification of your employer. The company will need to confirm its financial stability by providing tax reports for the last 12 months and proof of payment of all mandatory contributions. The minimum wage for a foreign employee will be 1,400 euros per month before tax deductions, which is 350 euros more than in 2024.

Highly qualified specialists will receive certain preferences. For them, the minimum salary threshold is set at 2,800 euros, but in return they are exempted from the Latvian language requirement at the initial stage. In addition, the processing time for their applications will be reduced from 90 to 45 working days, which will significantly speed up the process of obtaining work and residence permits.

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What Changes for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

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Entrepreneurs and self-employed persons will face stricter requirements for documentary confirmation of their activities. It will be necessary to provide not only a company registration certificate but also a business plan in Latvian or English, financial forecasts for 24 months ahead, and proof of startup capital of at least 14,000 euros in a bank account at a Latvian bank.

The company must demonstrate real economic activity, not just exist on paper. OCMA will check for office premises, employees, contracts with clients, and actually performed work or services provided. Special attention will be paid to compliance of activities with the declared business plan, so it's important to be as honest and realistic as possible when drafting it.

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New Rules for Investors and Real Estate Buyers

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The program for obtaining residence permits through real estate investments underwent significant changes back in 2022, but from 2026 additional restrictions are being introduced. The minimum property value for obtaining a residence permit is now 250,000 euros for properties in Riga and 500,000 euros for commercial real estate in any region of the country. Purchasing housing in other cities does not grant the right to obtain a residence permit under the investment program.

In addition to purchasing real estate, the applicant must pay a state fee of 5 percent of the property value. These funds will go to a special regional development fund. It's important to understand that the property cannot be sold within 60 months from the moment of obtaining the residence permit, otherwise the residence permit will be canceled.

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Changes in Permanent Residence Permit Application Procedure

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Permanent residence or permanent residence permit in Latvia can be obtained after five years of continuous residence with a temporary residence permit. From 2026, requirements for obtaining permanent residence will become stricter. The applicant must confirm knowledge of the Latvian language at B1 level, knowledge of the basics of the Constitution of Latvia and the country's history, as well as the absence of tax debts and administrative violations.

Time spent abroad will now be taken into account more carefully. If during the five-year period you were absent from Latvia for more than 183 days a year, that year will not count toward the period for obtaining permanent residence. Exceptions are made only for business trips, education, and serious medical reasons, but all of this must be documented. The state fee for consideration of a permanent residence application will increase from 100 to 170 euros.

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Document Requirements and Application Submission Procedure

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The list of documents for obtaining a residence permit from 2026 will become more extensive. You will need to prepare the following package:

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Mandatory documents for all applicant categories:

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Foreign passport with validity of at least 18 months at the time of application submission. Two color photographs measuring 35 by 45 millimeters, taken no earlier than three months before submission. Completed application form in Latvian or English, which can be downloaded from the official OCMA website. Medical certificate of health status, issued no earlier than 30 days before document submission. Certificate of no criminal record from the country of permanent residence for the last 60 months with apostille.

Health insurance policy with coverage of at least 30,000 euros. Documents confirming financial solvency for the last six months. Confirmation of housing availability in Latvia, rental agreement, or proof of ownership. Receipt of payment of state fee in the amount of 180 euros for application consideration.

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Additional documents depending on the basis:

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Employees will need an employment contract, work permit from the Employment State Agency, and employer's income certificate. Entrepreneurs must provide an extract from the commercial register, business plan, tax declaration, and bank statement. Those reuniting with family attach marriage or birth certificates, documents of a relative with residence permit or permanent residence, and their written consent to reunification.

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Application Processing Times and Service Costs

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Application processing times for obtaining residence permits in 2026 will remain approximately at the same level as now. The standard period is 90 working days from the submission of a complete set of documents, but expedited processing is provided for some categories. Highly qualified specialists can count on a decision within 45 working days, and investors with an investment amount of more than 500,000 euros within 60 working days.

The state fee for initial receipt of a residence permit will be 180 euros, for renewal 120 euros, and for obtaining permanent residence 170 euros. Additionally, you will have to pay for issuing a biometric residence permit card 34 euros. If documents are submitted through a representative, a notarized power of attorney will cost approximately 50 euros. The cost of translating documents depends on their volume but averages 15 euros per page.

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Specifics for Family Members of the Main Applicant

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Family members of the main applicant have the right to obtain a residence permit under the family reunification program. These include spouse, minor children, and adult children up to 24 years old who are dependent and studying full-time. From 2026, spouses will have a mandatory requirement to confirm knowledge of the Latvian language at A1 level, except in cases where the main applicant is a highly qualified specialist.

Financial requirements for the family are calculated cumulatively. If the main applicant must confirm income of 950 euros, then 285 euros are added for the spouse, and another 285 euros for each child. This means a family of four will need to confirm a total monthly income of at least 1,805 euros. Housing must also meet area standards based on a minimum of 12 square meters per family member.

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What Should Those Who Already Have Residence Permits Do

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If you received your residence permit before the new rules came into force, you can rest easy. The changes do not have retroactive effect, and your current residence permit remains valid until its expiration date. However, when renewing your residence permit after 2026, the new requirements will apply to you, albeit with some concessions for those who have lived in the country for more than three years.

The transitional period will last until the end of 2026. During this time, you can submit an application for residence permit renewal under the old rules if your current permit expires before June 2027. OCMA recommends planning renewal in advance and not postponing document submission until the last moment, especially if you are not sure that you meet the new requirements.

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Consequences of Non-Compliance with New Requirements

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Failure to comply with immigration legislation requirements can lead to serious consequences. Administrative fines for violating residence rules range from 350 to 1,400 euros depending on the severity of the violation. Repeated violations can lead to cancellation of the residence permit and a ban on entry to Latvia for a period from one year to five years.

The authorities pay special attention to fictitious grounds for obtaining residence permits. If it turns out that the employment contract was signed formally, the marriage was concluded to obtain documents, or the business exists only on paper, immediate cancellation of the permit will follow. Data on refusals and cancellations are entered into the general database of Schengen area countries, which can complicate obtaining visas and permits in other European countries.

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How to Prepare for Changes in Advance

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If you plan to submit documents for residence permit or permanent residence after 2026, start preparing now. First of all, it's worth assessing your compliance with new financial requirements and increasing income if necessary. Start learning Latvian even if you currently only speak Russian or English. Latvian language courses are available at many schools in Riga and other cities, as well as online on the Maconi platform.

Make sure your health insurance meets the new requirements. Many insurance companies already offer special policies for foreigners with coverage of 30,000 euros. Collect all necessary certificates and documents in advance, especially the certificate of no criminal record, as obtaining it can take several months. Consult with a migration specialist who will help assess your chances and prepare documents correctly.

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Changes in residence permit and permanent residence rules from 2026 make the process more structured and demanding. Raising financial thresholds, mandatory knowledge of Latvian, and strengthening control over the legality of grounds for residence are aimed at attracting people to Latvia who genuinely want to integrate into society and contribute to the country's economy. These changes will affect most categories of applicants, but with proper preparation and understanding of the new requirements, obtaining a residence permit remains a quite achievable goal.

It's important to remember that immigration legislation is constantly evolving, and updates can be followed on the official website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs at https://www.pmlp.gov.lv. Don't postpone preparation until the last moment and seek professional help if you feel uncertain about any aspects of the procedure. The right approach and careful document preparation will significantly increase your chances of successfully obtaining a residence permit or permanent residence in Latvia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is it possible to obtain a residence permit without knowledge of Latvian after 2026?

Yes, exemption from the Latvian language requirement is provided for highly qualified specialists with salaries from 2,800 euros, investors with investments over 500,000 euros, as well as persons over 65 years old. In all other cases, confirmation of language proficiency at A2 level will be required.

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Does time spent under an old residence permit count toward the period for obtaining permanent residence?

Yes, if your residence permit was obtained legally and you complied with all residence conditions, this time fully counts toward the five-year period for obtaining permanent residence. However, when applying for permanent residence after 2026, you will need to meet the new requirements, including knowledge of Latvian at B1 level.

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What should I do if my income does not reach the new minimum th_reshold?

Joint family income can be taken into account, including the spouse's income. Stable investment income, pensions, and official social support also count. It's important that all income sources are documented and regular in nature.

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Will rules change for European Union citizens?

No, the changes only apply to third-country nationals not part of the European Union. Citizens of EU, European Economic Area, and Switzerland have freedom of movement and residence rights in Latvia based on other European legislation norms.

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How long does it take to prepare all documents for residence permit submission?

On average, collecting a complete set of documents takes from two to four months. The most time is required to obtain a certificate of no criminal record with apostille from the country of residence, translation and notarization of documents. It's recommended to start preparation at least six months before the planned relocation date.

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How Lex&Finance Specialists Can Help

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Lex&Finance company specializes in migration services and legal support for the process of obtaining residence permits and permanent residence in Latvia. Our specialists have a deep understanding of all the nuances of the new legislation and are ready to help at every stage of document preparation. We will conduct a preliminary assessment of your situation, prepare a complete package of documents taking into account 2026 requirements, help with translation and legalization of certificates, and organize preparation for the Latvian language proficiency exam.

Our team will handle interaction with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, represent your interests at all stages of application consideration, and promptly resolve any arising questions. We also provide services for company registration for entrepreneurs, real estate selection for investors, and opening bank accounts. By contacting Lex&Finance, you receive comprehensive support from experienced professionals, which significantly increases the chances of successfully obtaining a residence permit and saves your time and nerves.