You want to establish a company and grow a scalable technology venture in the European Union, but the complexities of residency permits, taxes, moving with family, and processes may be challenging. The Latvia Startup Visa has become one of the most systematic programs offering fast residency permits and access to the EU market for non-EU founders, especially with the 2026 updates.
Latvia Startup Visa: Core Logic and 2026 Perspective
Latvia’s “startup visa” is actually a legally temporary residence permit. With this permit, entrepreneurs who are not citizens of the EU/EEA can establish an innovative company in Latvia and gain the right to reside, work, and grow their business for up to 36 months (in most cases, 3 years).
The program focuses on:
- Technology and innovation focused business models
- Scalability (international growth potential)
- Real market demand and revenue (just having an “idea” is no longer sufficient)
By 2026, Latvia is strengthening the startup visa with new regulations focusing on digitalization, sustainability, and fast evaluation processes. Below you will find a practical guide considering both the current rules and the 2026 horizon.
Who Can Apply for the Latvia Startup Visa?
The Latvia program operates differently from classical “investor” residencies. It is not a large capital commitment, but rather the nature of your business and the real commercial activity you can demonstrate that play a key role.
Main Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a citizen outside the EU/EEA.
- You must have an innovative, technology-based, and scalable business idea. For example:
- SaaS products, fintech solutions
- Artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity
- Deep tech, biotechnology, clean-tech, green economy initiatives
- Projects that are only at the idea stage are no longer accepted. At the time of application:
- Your company must be actively operating
- There must be bank transactions, payments from real customers
- In other words, you are expected to demonstrate verifiable demand in the market.
- Your criminal record must be clean and you must have a valid passport.
Number of Founders: Up to 5 Partners
The Latvia system allows up to 5 founders associated with a startup project to apply under the same roof. This is a significant advantage for teams planning to move together with co-founders from different profiles such as tech–business–growth.
Financial Requirements and Application with Family
Unlike classical investment programs, Latvia does not require a minimum investment amount, but it does require entrepreneurs and their families to clearly document their financial capacity to cover living expenses.
Amounts Required in Bank Account
In your application, you must show a minimum of the following amounts in your account:
- For each adult: 8,800 EUR
- For each child: 2,664 EUR
These amounts are used to prove that you can live in Latvia in the initial years without burdening the social assistance system. Important points:
- The minimum investment amount can officially be “0”, meaning the state does not require you to put a specific capital into the company.
- However, personal and family financial sufficiency (bank account balance) is an absolute requirement.
- Bank statements should be issued within the last 3 months and preferably show regular income/received payments.
Documents Required for the Latvia Startup Visa
Your application file should include both identity/basic security checks and your business plan. The main documents are as follows:
- Passport:
- Must have been issued within the last 10 years
- Must be valid for at least 3 months after the application date
- Complete photocopy or scan
- Declaration of Residence: Declaration of the address where you will stay in Latvia and written approval from the property owner.
- Criminal Record: A document from the country you have lived in for the last year, obtained no more than 6 months before the application, stating “no criminal record” (apostille is required).
- Business Plan: Must be evaluated/supported by the Latvia Investment and Export Agency (LIAA) or an authorized institution.
- Financial Documents: A bank letter or statement showing your account balance (issued within the last 3 months).
- Photo: Biometric photo suitable for visa application format.
- Application Form: Official residence permit/visa application form.
- Residency Document: A document showing your residence in Latvia for at least 1 year.
If you are applying with family members, additionally:
- Marriage certificate (apostille)
- Children’s birth certificates (apostille)
- Additional procedures such as translation and sworn translation if necessary
What Should the Business Plan Look Like? Latvia’s Expectations
Your main “interview” for the Latvia Startup Visa is actually your business plan. This document must strongly articulate the dimensions of innovation, technology, and scalability unlike a classic SME business plan.
Key Questions to Answer in the Business Plan
- Why Latvia?
- Why is the development of your product or service in Latvia logical?
- Explain elements such as ecosystem, tax regime, access to the EU market, logistics, etc.
- Product Development Stage:
- Is your product still an idea, a prototype, or already in the market?
- Highlight metrics such as live customers, MRR, pilot agreements.
- Intellectual Property:
- Do you have patents, trademarks, copyrights, or proprietary algorithms?
- Clarify the protectability of the technology.
- Innovative Aspect:
- Identify the problem: What problem are you solving better than existing solutions?
- Explain the technological depth in simple but convincing language.
- Competitive Analysis:
- List your competitors and alternative solutions.
- What is your competitive advantage (technology, cost, speed, niche market, etc.)?
- Team Structure:
- Who holds roles in technology, business development, operations, sales, etc.?
- Founders’ past experiences and success stories.
- Business Model and Revenue Plan:
- How do you make money? (subscription, commission, licensing, etc.)
- 3-year projections for revenue, expenses, and investment needs.
- 3-Year Roadmap:
- Your plans for product development, market expansion, and hiring.
- Your employment contribution and export potential in Latvia.
When preparing your business plan, it is important to reflect a local accounting and legal perspective in Latvia; addressing topics such as taxes, payroll, and legal obligations roughly will make your file appear professional.
Application Process: Step by Step Latvia Startup Visa
1. Strategy and Business Model Preparation
First, clarify your Latvia-focused business model:
- Which countries will you be selling to?
- Are you planning to have an office in Latvia or a fully remote team?
- How many team members do you want to establish in the first 12–24 months?
At this stage, working with expert teams in international incorporation, tax, and mobility like Corpenza can help align your business model with both immigration authorities and tax administrations.
2. Business Plan and LIAA Approval
After preparing your business plan, you will submit it for evaluation by Latvia’s investment and export agency (LIAA) or authorized ecosystem actors. In some cases, support letters obtained through acceleration programs or incubators can also strengthen the process.
3. Document Collection
At this stage:
- Passport photocopies
- Criminal record (apostille)
- Bank account statements
- Declaration of residence and rental/accommodation agreement
- Marriage/birth certificates for family
You will collect all documents completely.
4. Submission of Application: 3 Different Ways
Latvia accepts applications through these three channels:
- Online Application with Electronic Signature: You can log into Latvia’s immigration administration system with e-signature and sign documents remotely.
- Through the Latvian Consulate: You will submit your file to the Latvian consulate in your country; the consulate forwards the documents to the immigration administration (Migration Service).
- For Those Legally Residing in Schengen: If you are legally residing in a Schengen country, you can send the documents directly to the Latvian Immigration Office by mail.
For official document lists and formats, you can check the official visa documents page of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
5. Evaluation Period
The Latvia startup visa progresses with a timeline that is considered quite fast by international standards:
- Review of the business plan: Approximately 20 business days
- Control of residence permit documents: 5–10 business days
- For applicants in the high-risk country category, this period may extend to 30 business days, and in some cases up to 3.5 months.
- Issuance of D type visa (long-term): Average 10 business days
- Receiving the residence card in Latvia: 3 business days
- Company registration: Approximately 1.5 weeks
Overall, the entire process can often be completed in around 30 days, depending on your preparation speed.
Costs: Visa, Setup, and Operations
Official Visa and Processing Fees
Official fees are subject to periodic updates. Based on current data:
- Visa/residence application fee: Ranges from 221–443 USD (depending on the type of application and acceleration status).
- Additional fees may apply for express processing, extra services, or family members.
In addition, costs such as notary, apostille, sworn translation, travel, etc., should also be taken into account. When establishing your startup in Latvia:
- Company formation costs
- Accounting, payroll, and legal representation costs
- Office or co-working space expenses
will be significant parts of your total budget.
Tax and Accounting Aspect
Latvia stands out with competitive corporate tax rates and startup-friendly incentives within the EU. However:
- The tax residency of the founders (Turkey, Latvia, or another country)
- The company’s billing arrangement (countries of customers, transfer pricing, VAT)
- Where team members work from (remote workers, posted worker scenarios)
such parameters can significantly change your actual tax burden. If proper structuring is not done:
- There is a risk of double taxation both in Turkey and Latvia
- Tax and social security-like obligations due to incorrect payroll/employment models
may arise.
Corpenza offers integrated solutions in:
- Company formation and tax planning
- International accounting, payroll, and EOR (employer of record)
- Personnel assignment and tax optimization with the posted worker model
Thus, both your startup visa process and the subsequent operational structure can be designed in a cohesive manner.
Company Formation in Latvia and Next Steps
After your visa is approved and you enter Latvia, the main steps you need to pay attention to are:
- Company Registration: Registration with the Latvian Commercial Register (approximately 1.5 weeks).
- Tax Number and VAT Registrations: Obtaining VAT liability and other tax codes according to your business model.
- Opening a Bank Account: Establishing corporate accounts and payment infrastructures.
- Payroll and Employment: Payroll, contracts, and social security arrangements for personnel you will employ in Latvia or other EU countries.
Especially if you are managing scattered teams consisting of developers, salespeople, or consultants living in different countries, choosing the right EOR or posted worker model will allow you to scale without jeopardizing your startup visa.
Building a Sustainable Structure in Latvia with Corpenza
Many entrepreneurs realize that the real challenge begins after obtaining the visa: teams of employees from different countries, complex tax rules, payroll, reporting, and preparations for investment rounds…
Corpenza works with a team specialized in:
- Incorporation and residence permits (startup visa, golden visa, etc.)
- International accounting and payroll (EOR, payroll, posted worker)
- Investment-based residency and citizenship solutions
In the context of the Latvia startup visa:
- Ensuring your business plan is aligned with immigration expectations
- Tax optimization in the Turkey–Latvia–EU triangle
- Providing correct residency and work permits for founders and team members
we can provide you with end-to-end support on critical topics. Thus, while you focus on product-market fit and growth strategy, the structural risks behind the scenes are minimized.
Conclusion: Is the Latvia Startup Visa Suitable for You as We Enter 2026?
In summary, the Latvia Startup Visa offers a highly attractive route, especially if:
- You have a technology-based, scalable venture that has already started generating income,
- You are looking for a cost-effective and fast gateway to enter the EU market,
- You are ready to structure your corporate setup correctly in terms of tax, payroll, and residency,
it presents a very appealing option by 2026.
However, the process is a complex area where immigration law, tax, labor law, and international employment rules intersect. Therefore, preparing a roadmap not only by reading official texts but also with experienced consultants increases your chances of visa approval and reduces potential legal and financial risks that may arise later.
Disclaimer
This text is prepared for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. The Latvia startup visa and related regulations may be updated over time according to changes in laws, secondary legislation, and administrative practices. Before applying, be sure to check current official sources (such as the relevant ministries or consulates’ websites) and seek professional support for an assessment specific to your situation.
