Latvia has approved a new visa for remote workers. This new visa will allow freelancers and people who can do their jobs remotely to live in Latvia for a year.
The demand for remote work visas, also known as digital nomad visas, has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. More companies are offering employees the option to work remotely instead of going to the office. Increased digitalisation has also accelerated the trend.
Latvia is now joining other European countries including Portugal, Germany, and Spain that already offer digital nomad visas.
What is the new Latvia remote work visa?
Latvia’s remote work visa is a new visa for 2 groups of foreign nationals:
- People employed in another country, who can do their job remotely from Latvia
- Self-employed people who can work remotely from Latvia
It allows people to stay in Latvia whilst continuing to work for an employer registered abroad or to do their freelance work remotely from Latvia.
The remote visa is a convenient option for those who want to take advantage of remote working possibilities to experience life in Latvia.
Riga, the Latvian capital, is a popular choice for digital nomads thanks to its fast internet, well-equipped co-working spaces, and high quality of life. It is also connected by direct flight to cities across Europe and worldwide.
How long can you stay in Latvia with a digital nomad visa?
Remote workers can stay in Latvia for one year. It may be possible to renew the visa for another year if all the requirements are met.
After 2 years in Latvia with a remote work visa, the holder may be able to switch to temporary residence status. If not, they will need to spend at least 6 months outside Latvia before reapplying for another digital nomad visa.
Requirements to apply for a digital nomad visa for Latvia
To be eligible for the Latvia remote work visa, foreigners must meet the following conditions:
- Have a valid passport
- Be employed by a company registered in an OECD country or self-employed with a business registered in an OECD country
- Prove employment with an employer registered abroad for at least 6 months
- Able to carry out work activities remotely
- Paid at least 2.5 times the average salary (€2,875.50 in 2021)
- Proof of health insurance for the period of the visa
Documents are required to prove each of these requirements is met. Applicants will need to submit the documents together with the Latvia Remote Visa application form.
OECD countries eligible for the Latvia digital nomad visa
OECD stands for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
As mentioned above, to be eligible for the remote visa, foreigners must be employed by a company registered in an OECD country >, or be self-employed with their business registered in an OECD country.
EU countries that are members of the OECD
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Non-EU countries that are members of the OECD
- Australia
- Canada>
- Chile>
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Israel
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- South Korea
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
Remote workers interested in getting this visa for Latvia should check their company is registered in one of these countries.
Benefits of the remote work visa for the Latvian economy
As well as being advantageous for workers, the digital nomad visa has several benefits for Latvia.
It will help develop Latvia’s tourism industry—by facilitating the entry of foreign professionals, demand for tourism services will increase. This is an important consideration for countries across Europe and the rest of the world following COVID-19.
Latvia’s Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva indicated further benefits: “Studies show that the countries with more open immigration policy have, on average, higher gross domestic product, lower level of unemployment, lower governmental expenses and more educated workforce”.
She also highlighted that, based on information from other countries, remote work visas promote the entry of highly qualified foreign nationals.
Other visa options for remote workers in Latvia
Foreign nationals from several countries can visit Latvia for up to 90 days without a visa. Non-EU countries including Australia, Brazil, and the United States benefit from the EU’s visa-exemption scheme.
Visa-free entry is permitted for tourism and business trips. A visa is required to take up employment in Latvia, but remote work is possible.
Digital nomads can visit Latvia for 3 months with ETIAS
From 2025, visa-free travellers from outside the EU can apply for ETIAS to go to Latvia visa-free. The advantage of ETIAS is that the holder can visit any Schengen country with the same travel authorisation, not just Latvia.
Like with the digital nomad visa, non-EU nationals cannot work for a local company with ETIAS. However, tourists can continue their freelance projects in between sightseeing in Latvia. ETIAS holders on business trips in Latvia will also be able to work remotely.
Other international visitors can travel to Latvia for up to 3 months with a Schengen visa.
To stay longer than 90 days per 180-day period, the new remote work visa is the ideal solution. Travellers who do not meet the remote visa requirements should contact the nearest Latvian embassy for information about national visas.
