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Migration and Home Affairs
  • 1 April 2025

Self-employed worker in Latvia

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Latvia? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

Conditions

If you want to be admitted as a self-employed worker to reside in the Republic of Latvia for a period longer than 90 days within half a year counting from the first day of entrance you must obtain a temporary residence permit.

Visit the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs website to see the list of documents.

Procedures

Where and how to apply

You must obtain a residence permit for a self-employed person. For more information on residence permit please check here.

Applications are submitted to a diplomatic or consular representative office of the Republic of Latvia abroad, which sends the application to the OCMA for evaluation.

Fees

Fees for examination of documents submitted for application:

  • up to 30 days - 100 euros,
  • up to 10 working days - 200 euros,
  • up to 5 working days- 400 euros.
Documents required

To obtain your residence permit you must show a number of documents including:

  • a business plan, signed by a sworn auditor, for the expected period of activity,
  • documents verifying that you have sufficient financial means to start the activities envisaged in the business plan,
  • a photo,
  • proof of financial means - self-employed person need to have income of 2008 euros/monthly and this income should be as a result of commercial activity in the Republic of Latvia; for his/her spouse necessary subsistence should be 430 euros/monthly; for his/her minor children – 129 euros/monthly per child,
  • a permit (a licence, a certificate) if activities require such documents,
  • a valid travel document recognised in the Republic of Latvia,
  • an official application form for a residence permit.

For more information on the documents that you will need to submit please check here.

Further requirementsUpon arrival and having received your residence permit, you must provide a radiologist's report on the results of an x-ray or fluoroscopic examination done in the Republic of Latvia and a health insurance of minimum 42 600 euros which guarantees the covering of health expenses, including repatriation to the country of origin in case of serious illness or death.
Duration of validity of permitsResidence permits for self-employment are granted for up to one year.
Conditions for renewalA third-country citizen can renew a residence permit if self-employed activities are still being carried out and if during the previous period of residence certain tax amount has been paid to the budget (9960 euros per year).
AppealsYou have a right to appeal the decision to the Head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within 30 days.
Further information

For more information on getting a residence permit please check here.

For more information on the right to employment please check here.

Rights

Change of business activitiesThe residence permit allows access to any additional self-employed activity.
Change of statusDuring the time of your residence permit, you are entitled to change your status of residence.
Family membersFamily reunification is possible.
Long-term residence

A long-term resident status may be granted if you have resided legally in the Republic of Latvia for at least five years, in addition you should provide:

  • sufficient financial means to support yourself and your dependent family members,
  • sufficient command of Latvian,
  • a place of residence in the Republic of Latvia.

If you have a long-term resident status, you have no restrictions to work in the Republic of Latvia.

For more information on long-term residence please check here.