The Cheapest Golden visa in Europe
Latvia has the cheapest golden visa program in Europe. Some 13 countries in Europe attract foreign investors through immigrant investor golden visa schemes.
Latvia golden visa scheme was started in 2010 since then the scheme has become most popular golden visa scheme in Europe offering path to Latvia citizenship after 9 years of living. The business investment and the government bonds are the most popular options for latvian golden visa scheme. A number of wealthy americans, russians and chinese have applied for investor visa in Latvia.
- Latvia joined as EU member country since 1 May 2004
- Latvia became Euro area member since 1 January 2014
- Latvia became Schengen area member since 21 December 2007
| Visa free | Minimum Capital Requirement | Investment | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | EU residence permit | EUR 100,000 (business) or EUR 250,000 (real estate/bonds) | 3 months |
| Greece | EU residence permit | EUR 250,000 (real estate) | 3 months |
| Malta | EU Permanent Residence permit | EUR 250,000 (Government bonds) for Malta Residence Visa | 3 months |
| Portugal | Residence permit | EUR 350,000 real estate investment | 4 months |
| United Kingdom | Residence permit | GBP 2 million (investor) / GBP 200,000 (entrepreneur) | Less than 2 month |
| United States | EB-5 Green card | USD 500,000 | 12 to 24 months |
| Canada Quebec | Permanent residence | CAD 1,200,000 | 4 months |
| Cyprus | Residence permit | EUR 300,000 (real estate) | 2 months |
| Spain | EU residence permit | EUR 500,000 (real estate) | 3 months |
| Ireland | Residence permit | EUR 1 million (bonds) | 2-3 months |
| Germany | EU residence permit | EUR 350,000 (business or real estate) | 3 months |
| Italy | EU residence permit | EUR 500,000 (startup) | 3 months |
| Czech Republic | EU residence permit | USD 3 million (business) | 3 months |
| The Netherlands | EU residence permit | EUR 1.25 million (capital investment) | 3 months |
| Bulgaria | Residence permit | EUR 300,000 (real estate) | 3 months |
| Australia | Investor visa | A$ 1,500,000 | 2 months |
| New Zealand | Investor stream | N$ 3,000,000 | 1 month |
Latvian Citizenship
To become a citizen of Latvia under a naturalisation process, the following conditions have to be met
- Fluent in the Latvian language,
- Successfully passed the examination of basic principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the text of the National Anthem, and the basics of the history and culture of Latvia