Latvian citizenship: loss and restoration

Naturalisation with an exam is not the only route to Latvian citizenship. Descendants of 1940 citizens and exiles register it, children of non-citizens acquire it, and it can be lost by renunciation or by a state decision. Below is a short summary based on the Citizenship Law (Pilsonības likums) and PMLP pages. It is general information, not legal advice.

Try the naturalisation mock exam →Open the trainer

Who is a Latvian citizen

Under Section 2 of the Citizenship Law, Latvian citizens include people who were citizens on 17 June 1940 and their descendants; a child with at least one Latvian-citizen parent at birth; Latvians and Livs who prove their origin and Latvian language skills; and foundlings and orphans in out-of-family care in Latvia. Everyone else acquires citizenship by naturalisation, with tests in Latvian, history and the Satversme.

Dual citizenship: which countries are allowed

Since 1 October 2013 a Latvian citizen keeps Latvian citizenship when acquiring that of an EU, EFTA or NATO member state, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand. With any other country, only with Cabinet of Ministers permission for important state interests, or where the second citizenship arose automatically through marriage or adoption. According to PMLP, Latvia currently has no dual citizenship treaties. In dealings with the Latvian state such a person is treated only as a Latvian citizen and must inform PMLP of the other citizenship.

Dual citizenship for children, exiles and naturalised citizens

Children may hold dual citizenship with any country until 18. If a non-listed citizenship remains after that, by age 25 they must either submit proof that it was lost or apply to renounce Latvian citizenship. Exiles and their descendants, Latvians and Livs keep any citizenship they already hold when registering. A naturalised person may keep the former citizenship only if it is that of an EU, EFTA or NATO state, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand; others (for example Russia or Belarus) must be given up on naturalisation.

Renouncing citizenship

You can renounce Latvian citizenship if you already hold, or are guaranteed, another citizenship. An adult citizen who acquires the citizenship of a country not on the allowed list must apply to renounce within 30 days. The state fee is EUR 21.34 (EUR 7.11 for reduced-fee groups) and the decision is made within one month of receiving all documents. The application may be refused if taxes or other payments to the state are unpaid. Coming back later means naturalisation, or restoration if the other citizenship is from the allowed list.

When citizenship can be withdrawn

Section 24 allows citizenship to be withdrawn from someone who acquired a non-allowed citizenship without applying to renounce; voluntarily serves in a foreign army without Cabinet permission (service in the forces of EU, EFTA or NATO states, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and Ukraine does not count); obtained citizenship through false information; was found by a court to have sought the violent overthrow of state power; or gave substantial support to states or persons committing serious international crimes. Except for false information, it cannot be withdrawn if the person would become stateless. Family members are not affected.

Restoring citizenship

Two groups can restore citizenship on application: people who lost it through a parent’s or adoptive parent’s choice without their written consent (until age 25), and people who renounced or were deprived of it after acquiring the citizenship of an EU, EFTA or NATO state, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand. Restoration is refused to holders of a non-listed citizenship, to those whose citizenship a court annulled for false information, and to those covered by the Section 11 restrictions. The fee is EUR 21.34 (reduced EUR 7.11); a decision usually comes within a month, longer in complex cases. Apply to PMLP by post or at a Latvian embassy.

Descendants of 1940 citizens and exiles

An exile (trimdinieks) is someone who was a Latvian citizen on 17 June 1940 and before 4 May 1990 left Latvia to escape the Soviet or German occupation or was deported, and did not return to live permanently before 4 May 1990. Exiles and their descendants born before 1 October 2014 register citizenship and keep their other one. The ancestor’s citizenship is proved with a pre-war passport, civil registry records or State Historical Archive data; the decision is due within four months. Descendants of 1940 citizens who are not exiles can also apply to PMLP, but must give up any citizenship not on the allowed list.

Children of non-citizens: recognition as citizens

Since 1 January 2020 children are no longer given non-citizen status. A child born in Latvia to two non-citizens (or a non-citizen and a stateless or unknown parent) becomes a Latvian citizen when the birth is registered, provided the child has no other citizenship. If the other parent is a foreign citizen, the parents’ written agreement and documents for PMLP are needed. Children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 and before 2020 who remain non-citizens are recognised on application: by a parent until 15, and by the child between 15 and 18, with proof of Latvian. The decision is due within one month.

Who cannot be naturalised

Section 11 bars naturalisation for people whose actions threaten Latvia’s security, constitutional order, independence or territorial integrity; who serve in a foreign army without Cabinet permission; who settled in Latvia after demobilisation from the USSR army or internal troops without having lived here permanently before conscription; who were staff of the USSR or Latvian SSR security, intelligence or counter-intelligence services; who were convicted of an act that is a crime in Latvia; who after 13 January 1991 acted against the Republic of Latvia in the Latvian Communist Party and certain other organisations; or who owe taxes or other payments to the state.

Citizens and non-citizens: the differences

Only citizens vote in Saeima elections (from 18) and can be elected to the Saeima (from 21); local elections are open to Latvian citizens and EU citizens living here, but not to non-citizens. Civil servant posts (ierēdnis) are reserved for citizens. A Latvian citizen is an EU citizen and may live and work anywhere in the EU; Latvian citizens are not extradited except under international agreements. Non-citizens have the human rights set out in the Satversme and may be expelled only under the law and if another country accepts them; they travel visa-free in the Schengen area for short stays but do not have EU citizens’ rights.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hold Latvian and Russian citizenship at the same time?

Russia is not in the EU, EFTA or NATO and there is no dual citizenship treaty. An adult Latvian citizen who acquires Russian citizenship must apply to renounce Latvian citizenship within 30 days, otherwise it may be withdrawn. Exceptions: Cabinet permission, acquisition through marriage or adoption, children under 18, and citizenship exiles and their descendants already held when registering.

Does Latvia allow dual citizenship with the UK or the USA?

Yes. Both are NATO members, so a Latvian citizen who acquires British or US citizenship keeps Latvian citizenship. They should still inform PMLP about the other citizenship. The same applies to all EU, EFTA and NATO states, Australia, Brazil and New Zealand.

How do I restore Latvian citizenship?

If you lost it through your parents’ choice without your consent, apply before you turn 25. If you renounced it or had it withdrawn after acquiring the citizenship of an EU, EFTA or NATO state, Australia, Brazil or New Zealand, you can also apply. The fee is EUR 21.34; apply to PMLP by post or at a Latvian embassy.

My grandparent was a Latvian citizen before the war. Can I get citizenship?

If your ancestor was a Latvian citizen on 17 June 1940, you can apply to PMLP for registration. If they fled the occupation or were deported, a descendant born before 1 October 2014 registers as an exile’s descendant and keeps their other citizenship. You will need documents proving the ancestor’s citizenship and your family link.

What is the difference between a citizen and a non-citizen?

A citizen votes in Saeima, local and European Parliament elections, can hold a civil servant post and has EU citizens’ rights to live and work anywhere in the Union. A non-citizen cannot vote and does not have EU citizens’ rights; the basic human rights under the Satversme are the same.

Sources

Latvian citizenship and naturalisation exam →Latvian citizenship test online →Latvian naturalisation exam questions →Latvian exam letter samples →Latvian anthem lyrics and translation →Latvian state language test A1, A2, B1 →Latvian state language test A2 — how it works and how to prepare →Latvian language course A1–B1 →

What is inside →