Obtaining a Golden Visa in Latvia by Investing in a Company

1) Why Latvia? The Strategic Power of Company Investment in Modern Mobility

Obstacles in Global Expansion

When operating on a global scale, you establish a balance of speed, compliance, and cost. Many countries impose high investment thresholds, long waiting times, and heavy bureaucracy. Employing teams across borders complicates payroll, social security, and tax regulations. Visa durations disrupt business plans; personal and corporate risks grow simultaneously.

• Changing regulations complicate investment decisions.
• Payroll and tax errors for remote workers quickly lead to penalties.
• Delays in residence/work permits disrupt project deliveries.

What does Latvia offer?

Latvia stands out with its EU and Schengen membership, low entry threshold, and open business climate. The investment-based Golden Visa offers quick access to the European market and sustainable residency rights in one package. The Riga-based logistics network fosters commercial mobility in the Baltic-Scandinavian corridor.

• Obtain EU residency with a relatively low capital threshold.
• Free movement within Schengen accelerates business meetings.
• A fintech-friendly ecosystem and skilled workforce create growth momentum.

Corpenza complements this framework with company formation, payroll, staff leasing (posted worker), international accounting, and tax optimization. You focus on growth; we manage compliance obligations.

2) Legal Framework and Eligibility: Which Investment, Under What Conditions?

Key Investment Options and Financial Thresholds

Latvian legislation provides a practical path for temporary residence permits based on company investment. The legislation is updated over time; you confirm figures with the Corpenza team and Latvian authorities before applying. As of today, the program generally operates on the following logic:

• You invest capital in a company in Latvia. The law allows you to proceed with a minimum capital increase of 50,000 EUR or the establishment of a new company.
• In larger scale enterprises, you plan to acquire shares with an investment of 100,000 EUR or more.
• The state requires an additional state contribution/fee. This payment occurs once.
• The company fulfills a specific annual tax contribution. Market practice considers an annual tax payment of 40,000 EUR or more as a reference.

Whichever option you choose, you maintain the investment for at least a few years. Latvia expects the investment to generate real economic contributions; therefore, you reject passive, paper-based setups.

Who applies, and who is included in the scope?

Entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who are not citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland apply for this program. Latvia imposes specific restrictions on citizens of Russia and Belarus after 2022; you must check the current status.

• Criminal record: The applicant and accompanying family members present a clean criminal record.
• Source of funds: You transparently document the source of the money (bank statements, sales contracts, income records).
• Health insurance: You provide an insurance policy with at least 1 year of sufficient coverage.
• Proof of income: You show income or cash assets that cover annual living expenses according to family composition.

The family scope generally includes the spouse and dependent children under 18. You obtain apostilled and sworn translations for marriage and birth certificates. You prepare a criminal record certificate for children aged 14 and older.

3) Practical Roadmap: Setup, Process, and Timing

Investment and Company Setup

You first clarify the business plan. You prepare a simple plan explaining which sector you will enter, the local employment needs, and the tax impact. Corpenza supports you in selecting the most appropriate investment structure.

• Asset structure: You either establish a new company or invest capital in an existing one.
• Share transfer: You establish a partnership through share acquisition or capital increase.
• Bank account: You open a corporate bank account, transfer the capital, and keep the receipts.
• UBO notification: You register the ultimate beneficial owner and complete AML/KYC processes.
• Workplace and contracts: You arrange lease, supply, and service contracts.

After the investment, the company generates real activities. It issues invoices, pays taxes, and employs personnel if necessary. Latvian authorities monitor economic reality; you ensure compliance is permanent.

Application File and Timeline

You prepare the application documents completely and accurately. The OCMA (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) evaluates the application. A solid file accelerates the process.

• Identity and marital status documents (apostilled and notarized translation).
• Criminal record, health insurance, income/assets declarations.
• Company documents: Articles of association, share register, capital receipts, tax records.
• Business plan and employment/revenue projections.

You attend the biometrics appointment. You pay the necessary state fees. The relevant authorities finalize most applications within a few months; density and additional reviews extend the timeline. Corpenza sets a realistic timeline and keeps the file ready for possible additional requests.

4) Operational Compliance: Tax, Payroll, and International Workforce

Manage tax and accounting obligations day by day

Latvia implements a system compliant with EU tax legislation. You structure corporate profit, VAT, withholding, and social security items from the outset. Incorrect declarations jeopardize residence status.

• Corporate tax: You correctly apply the advantageous regime for undistributed profits.
• VAT: You monitor the registration threshold and refund mechanism.
• Transfer pricing: You price intra-group transactions at arm’s length.
• Audit and reporting: You submit timely declarations and regularly complete year-end closures.

Corpenza consolidates international accounting and tax planning in one panel. You track cash flow and profitability; we manage the regulatory calendar and declarations.

Payroll, EOR, and posted worker solutions

When building a team in Latvia, you comply with local employment rules, accurately calculate and pay social security and income tax. You maintain the same sensitivity in remote working models.

• Payroll: You manage payroll monthly and without errors, supporting payments with documentation.
• EOR (Employer of Record): You delegate the employer registration burden to us for quick hiring.
• Posted worker: You provide notifications in advance when temporarily assigning within the EU.
• A1 documents: You accurately document the employee’s social security coverage.
• Contracts: You reflect local labor law and data protection rules in contracts.

Corpenza streamlines payroll costs for companies with remote workers and contracted personnel. You process expenses in accounting, accurately calculate the tax base, and remain audit-ready.

5) Current Trends, Risks, and Strategic Tips

Regulatory and market updates

Investment-based residence programs in the EU continually evolve. Some countries restrict or close real estate options; others raise the threshold. Latvia provides clarity on company investment; however, you should closely monitor changes.

• Geopolitical risk: Restrictions remain in place for certain citizenship groups after 2022.
• Compliance wave: The EU tightens AML and KYC audits; you meticulously present proof of source.
• EES/ETIAS: Schengen entry-exit and travel authorization systems come into play; you keep residence cards and travel plans up to date.
• Digital visas: Some countries expand digital nomad and freelance visas; you establish a mixed workforce strategy according to multiple regimes.

Market opportunities concentrate in technology, fintech, logistics, and green transformation in the Baltics. Latvia offers a practical ground for access to EU-funded projects and regional scaling.

Sustainability, permanent residency, and tax optimization

After obtaining temporary residency, you establish a 5-year perspective. You plan physical residence, language, and integration requirements, logically following the goal of permanent residency (PR). For citizenship goals, you analyze language/level, integration, and possible dual citizenship rules according to your nationality.

• Compliance timeline: You create an annual calendar for visa, residence card, tax, payroll, and workplace permits.
• Tax optimization: You correctly utilize double taxation agreements and intra-group structuring.
• Cash flow: You transparently structure items like dividends, management service fees, and royalties.
• Exit plan: You rewrite scenarios for the investment 5+ years later (sale, merger, reinvestment).

Corpenza connects your presence in Latvia to your global architecture. We coordinate company formation, accounting, payroll, posted worker, and tax planning under one roof. You do not lose direction amidst regulatory changes.

Applicable checklist

• Investment thesis: Clarify sector, team, market, and cash flow.
• Structure: New company or share acquisition? Determine the capital route and UBO notification.
• Documents: Prepare passport, criminal record, health insurance, income/assets, apostilled and translated set.
• Bank: Open a corporate account, deposit capital, file receipts.
• Tax: Set up VAT, corporate tax, and payroll calendar; integrate ERP/accounting.
• Payroll/EOR: Plan contracts and A1 processes; submit posted worker notifications on time.
• PR goal: Spread language, physical residence, and integration requirements over the years.

In summary, obtaining a Golden Visa in Latvia through company investment establishes an agile EU bridge for global expansion plans. The low entry threshold, rapid setup, and moderate compliance costs carry your project. Corpenza manages residence permits, company formation, international accounting, payroll, staff leasing, citizenship by investment, and tax optimization end-to-end. You enter the market, generate income, and keep risks under control.