Moving to Latvia: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Latvia: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 8 residence programmes, days needed, climate, safety and economy — compared with 194 countries.
Taxes
In Latvia the top income tax rate is 36%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 20% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Latvia from arrival once you take up residence (Declared place of residence in Latvia, or 183 days in any 12 months). The typical route is EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient): Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required There are 8 open residence programmes in Latvia — see the list below.
Living there
Riga has a warm-summer continental climate with winter highs around -0.3 °C and summer highs around 23 °C. The economy grew +1% in 2025; the IMF forecasts 2% for 2026. Its passport opens about 159 countries without a visa in advance. Security: NATO frontline; stray Ukrainian drone hit Rēzekne May 2026.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 36% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 0% |
| Corporate tax | 20% |
| Skattemæssig bopæl | fra ankomst — Declared place of residence in Latvia, or 183 days in any 12 months |
| Deres vej | EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient) — Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required |
| Pas | visumfri eller ved ankomst til 159 lande |
| Economic growth | +1% (2025), forecast 2% (2026) |
| Klimatype | warm-summer continental · -0.3° / 23° (Riga) |
| Krig og konflikt | tension — NATO frontline; stray Ukrainian drone hit Rēzekne May 2026 |
| Alle naturfarer | 2.7/10 |
| Bankernes styrke | 7/10 · A- |
| Ejendomsbeskyttelse | 7/10 |
| Varme boliger om vinteren | 9/10 |
Residence programmes in Latvia
- EU/EEA/Swiss free movement – registration certificate — freeMovement · open · 2026-10
- Temporary residence permit – investment in company capital — Investering CHF 47'000 · open · 2026-10
- Temporary residence permit – alternative investment fund (state-established) — Investering CHF 141'000 · changing · 2026-10
- Start-up founder temporary residence permit — entrepreneur · open · 2026-10
- Remote work (digital nomad) long-stay visa — Indkomst / år CHF 47'523 · open · 2026-10
- Latvian/Livonian descent – repatriation & citizenship registration — ancestry · open · 2026-10
- Temporary residence permit – employment / EU Blue Card — employment · open · 2026-10
- Temporary residence permit – family reunification — family · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Latvia to become tax resident?
fra ankomst. Declared place of residence in Latvia, or 183 days in any 12 months Worldwide income
How much tax will I pay in Latvia?
In Latvia the top income tax rate is 36%, dividends are taxed at up to 0% and companies pay 20% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Latvia offer?
EU/EEA/Swiss free movement – registration certificate; Temporary residence permit – investment in company capital (CHF 47'000); Temporary residence permit – alternative investment fund (state-established) (CHF 141'000); Start-up founder temporary residence permit; Remote work (digital nomad) long-stay visa
What is the usual way to move to Latvia?
EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient). Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required
Compare with nearby countries
Albania · Andorra · Austria · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herz. · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia
General information only — not tax, legal, immigration, investment or financial advice, and no client relationship. Figures are simplified, indicative and may be out of date. Always verify with the official authority and a licensed professional in the country concerned before acting. Partner links, if any, are marked and may earn us a fee.