Latvia digital nomad visa: requirements (2026)

Legal framework

Latvia Immigration Law (Imigrācijas likums) as amended 29 June 2022; Cabinet of Ministers Regulation on remote-work visas; administered by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Key points: digital nomad & residency in Latvia

1. 01Dedicated Remote-Work Visa (Type D)

   Latvia's long-stay remote-work visa allows third-country nationals to reside in Latvia for up to one year (renewable once for a second year) while working remotely for an employer or as a self-employed person established in an OECD member country. Holders may not take up local employment in Latvia.

   pmlp.gov.lv pmlp.gov.lv

2. 02Income & Employment Threshold

   Applicants must demonstrate at least six months of continuous employment with the foreign employer and a monthly income of at least 2.5× the Latvian average gross salary (approximately €3,400, €4,200/month as of 2024-2025), evidenced by payslips, tax-authority certificates, and an employer's letter.

   pmlp.gov.lv pmlp.gov.lv

3. 03OECD-Employer Restriction

   Eligibility is limited to workers employed by or self-employed through entities registered in OECD member states (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Japan, or EU states). Work for or income from Latvian-registered entities does not qualify and requires a separate work permit.

   pmlp.gov.lv

4. 04Health Insurance Requirement

   Applicants must hold comprehensive health insurance valid in Latvia and the Schengen Area, with minimum coverage of at least €30,000 (older Cabinet Regulation guidance cited €42,600); this is a mandatory condition for visa issuance.

   pmlp.gov.lv www2.mfa.gov.lv

5. 05Self-Employed Residence Permit (Alternative Route)

   Non-EU nationals who establish self-employment in Latvia itself (rather than through a foreign OECD entity) may apply for a temporary residence permit as a self-employed person; 2026 Immigration Law amendments raise requirements to include a Latvian-language business plan, 24-month financial forecasts, and proof of at least €14,000 startup capital in a Latvian bank account.

   pmlp.gov.lv home-affairs.ec.europa.eu pmlp.gov.lv

6. 06Golden Visa / Residency-by-Investment

   Latvia operates a residency-by-investment programme with thresholds from €50,000 (business) to €250,000 (real estate or bonds). As of 2025-2026, the Saeima is actively considering suspending or significantly restricting the programme following a €10M fraud investigation and broader migration policy debates; the outcome remains pending as of May 2026.

   fragomen.com pmlp.gov.lv

Sources

1. 1.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/obtaining-long-stay-visa-remote-work
2. 2.pmlp.gov.lv/en/getting-long-term-visa-remote-work
3. 3.pmlp.gov.lv/en/article/government-approves-regulation-remote-work-visas
4. 4.pmlp.gov.lv/en/self-employed-person-0
5. 5.pmlp.gov.lv/en/20062024-amendments-immigration-law
6. 6.www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa/consular-information/applying-for-a-long-stay-visa
7. 7.home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/self-employed-wor
8. 8.fragomen.com/insights/latvia-golden-visa-to-be-suspended.html
9. 9.kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/flash-alert-2023-179.html