Bordering the Baltic Sea, this small (and commonly unsung) European country is known for its vast stretches of beaches and forests. The capital, Riga contains over 800 Art Nouveau buildings, a rich culture of music and folk songs, as being home to the widest waterfall in Europe, this small country is riddled with a culture that outmatches many of their counterparts.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can reclaim your Latvian citizenship through your family lineage.
Member of the European Union
Number of Ways to Apply
2
Generations Removed
3
Travel Required?
No
The Latvian government has been very open to prospective citizens applying for citizenship, due to the large percentage of Latvians that had to flee due to escape from the U.S.S.R. and the German occupation regime. This means that if you meet the requirements to reclaim your families’ Latvian citizenship, you would be able to live, work, and study in any of the 28 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.
There are currently only two ways to apply for Latvian citizenship using your family lineage.
If you know that you have an ancestor from Latvia, we would be happy to discuss whether you can apply for citizenship. Below you will find a brief summary of what is required in order to apply.
Requirements
Many people whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in the Czech Republic qualify for Latvian citizenship through descent. Below are the personal requirements you must meet, as well as the documentation you must be able to present.
Lineage Requirements
To meet the requirements for Latvian citizenship, you must have at least one direct ancestor who:
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Was a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940
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Left Latvia in the during the time between June 17, 1940, to May 4, 1990, to escape from U.S.S.R. or German occupation regime
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Due to these reasons, did not return to Latvia for permanent residence before May 4, 1990.
You may also qualify if you can prove that you are Latvian ethnicity, you can speak the Latvian language fluently, and that you had a direct ancestor living in the territory of Latvia between 1881 and June 17, 1940.
Paperwork Requirements
To apply for Latvian citizenship, you must have the appropriate documents in order, and of which must be translated into Latvian. You must be able to provide translated copies of:
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Your completed application
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A personal identification document (passport, etc.)
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A copy of your own birth certificate
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Documentation confirming your marital status
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Documentation confirming the birth of a child
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Documents confirming the right to acquire Latvian citizenship (proving your lineage)
