Key Considerations When Comparing France and Latvia Golden Visa
Current Context: November 8, 2025 and Trends in Europe
Residence regimes through investment in Europe are changing rapidly. Some countries are raising the threshold, while others are narrowing passive investment models. France is strengthening the “Talent Passport – Business Investor” model aimed at advanced technology and employment instead of passive real estate. Latvia stands out with its cost-effective entry threshold and business-based options.
This article is prepared for entrepreneurs, investors, and senior professionals planning residence, business establishment, and international employment simultaneously in the EU. If your goal is sustainable growth, regular compliance, and tax efficiency, clearly distinguish the strengths of both countries and proceed step by step.
- France: Suitable for those seeking active investment, job creation, and advanced integration.
- Latvia: Appeals to those wanting low entry costs, fast processes, and flexible physical presence.
- Both: Offer Schengen mobility, family coverage, and permanent residence/citizenship pathways.
Start by examining the official framework. Check France’s “Talent Passport – Business Investor” criteria on the Welcome to France portal, and Latvia’s investor residence permits on the Latvia Migration Office (OCMA) page. Also, review the European Commission’s statements for access to the Schengen area and travel freedoms: Schengen Area.
Eligibility and Investment Requirements: Read the Threshold and Expectations Correctly
France – Talent Passport (Business Investor)
France deviates from the classic “golden visa” logic. The program mandates active economic contribution. Key points:
- Investment: Make a significant capital contribution to a company in France; commit to job creation or preserving existing employment.
- Model: Materialize your business plan, source of investment, sector impact, and managerial capacity.
- Family: Spouse and dependent children participate in the process together; they benefit from work and education rights.
- Process: Plan the preliminary assessment, consulate application, and residence card production steps within France.
This model strengthens the connection of your investment to the real economy. Real estate alone is not sufficient; you focus on your business and team.
Latvia – Investor Residence Permit
Latvia offers lower costs and practical processes with several investment-based alternatives. Key points:
- Options: Proceed through company capital, financial instruments, or real estate projects under specific conditions.
- Thresholds: Legislation anticipates varying amounts and state contributions based on options.
- Family: Spouse and dependent children are included in the arrangement.
- Process: Conduct the application through an external representation or from within the country; prepare for security and compliance checks.
Latvia creates a fast EU gateway with flexible physical presence and low entry thresholds. Confirm the latest threshold and document set on the OCMA page.
Duration of Permit, Rights, and Family Coverage: How Does It Reflect on Daily Life and Work?
Residence Duration and Renewal Logic
France reduces administrative burden with a multi-year residence card. You can renew the card as you implement your business plan and investment commitments. This approach supports medium to long-term scaling.
Latvia typically establishes a temporary residence line of up to 5 years and defines renewal steps with clear rule sets. Schedule your strategy according to this cycle and maintain document discipline.
Family, Work, and Social Rights
- France: Spouse gains full work rights; children enter public education; you integrate into the health system.
- Latvia: Family members share residence rights; you gain access to education and health services.
- Schengen Mobility: As a residence holder, you benefit from visa-free movement in Schengen (plan international travel durations).
Validate family coverage early in both countries. Do not delay marriage certificates, birth documents, and apostille processes.
Physical Residence, Permanent Residence, and Citizenship: Chart the Path from the Beginning
Physical Presence and Integration
France values the real-life connection with its “stable and regular residence” approach. Manage your business, network, and connect with language and culture. This approach brings advantages in the stages of permanent residence and citizenship.
Latvia stands out with options offering more flexible physical presence. However, consider residence days and language requirements for permanent residence and citizenship in the long term.
Permanent Residence and Citizenship Pathway
- France: After regular residence, you become eligible for a long-term card and citizenship application. Start the language and integration process early.
- Latvia: After temporary residence, an opportunity arises for permanent residence application. Plan a longer timeline for citizenship and consider the language requirement.
In both pathways, the calendar, physical presence, and uninterrupted residence requirements are decisive. Align your personal and family plan with this calendar.
Tax Implications: Do Not Step Without Structuring
Your investment brings residence; however, tax implications determine the strategy. Conduct early analysis on tax residency, double taxation agreements, dividend and capital gains regimes. Create a separate roadmap for corporate and personal assets.
- France: Establish a comprehensive plan for salary, dividends, real estate income, and social contributions.
- Latvia: Simulate the effects of corporate profit distribution, withholding, and individual income tax.
- Both: Choose a consistent payroll, expense policies, and transfer pricing approach.
Operational Plan: Company Establishment, Payroll, Posted Worker, and Compliance
Company Formation and Financial Backbone
Both countries require a solid company formation plan. The sole aim should not be residence; clarify your business model, cash flow, and management. Early structure group service contracts, licensing and brand usage, transfer pricing, and invoicing chain.
- Company establishment: Create a checklist for title, activity code, bank account, and authorities.
- International accounting: Manage a timeline for reporting calendar, audit requirements, and local declarations.
- Tax optimization: Manage cash efficiency and risk control simultaneously within the legal framework.
Payroll and Posted Worker Usage Scenarios
Remote teams and project-based distributed workforce require the right payroll and residence structure. Payroll and temporary employment (posted worker) models provide scalable and compliant growth.
- Payroll: Manage payroll for remote workers in compliance with local legislation; flawlessly collect employer obligations and expense documents.
- Staff leasing/posted worker: Align project duration, A1 documents, minimum wage, and working hours with legislation.
- Contractual framework: Clearly outline service contracts, confidentiality, and intellectual property transfer.
Corpenza provides end-to-end support in residence permits, company formation, international accounting, payroll, staff leasing (posted worker), investment citizenship, and tax optimization across Europe and globally. Our teams integrate the residence file, company documentation, and payroll structure within the same project plan.
Decision Matrix, Risk Management, and Implementation Timeline
Which Profile is More Suitable for Which Country?
- Choose France: You actively invest in the G7 market, manage your business on-site, and prioritize a high-level education/health ecosystem for the family.
- Choose Latvia: You desire a low entry threshold and a faster process; you value flexible mobility and cost-effectiveness with Schengen access.
In both scenarios, if you clarify the business plan, source of financing, and team structure, the process accelerates. Prepare family documents (apostille, translation) and judicial records early.
Risk and Compliance Checklist
- Source verification: Transparently document the source of funds; organize tax and bank records.
- Investment eligibility: Confirm that your chosen path complies with current legislation from official sources.
- Physical presence: Plan minimum residence days for permanent residence and citizenship goals.
- Tax and social security: Tie tax residency, social security, bilateral agreements, and documents like A1/A2 to the timeline.
- Data and contract: Secure compliance with KVKK/GDPR, confidentiality, and intellectual property transfer through contracts.
12-Week Implementation Schedule (Example)
- Week 1–2: Country selection, eligibility screening, draft outline of the business plan.
- Week 3–4: Company formation roadmap, tax and accounting framework, payroll structure.
- Week 5–6: Official documents, translation/apostille, appointment scheduling.
- Week 7–9: Application, banking and investment transactions, contracts.
- Week 10–12: Residence card processes, address registration, school/health registrations, operational launch.
Corpenza customizes this schedule according to your country and sector; it manages tax optimization, payroll, posted worker, and international accounting steps under one roof.
