Latvia Digital Nomad Visa Guide
Visa Name: Latvia Digital Nomad Visa
Launch Year: 2022
Max Stay: 1 year
Summary for HR & Compliance Teams
Latvia’s Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU remote workers to live and work in Latvia for up to one year while employed by or providing services to an overseas company. The scheme is open to both freelancers and employees.
Applicants must have an annual income of at least USD $34,290, valid health insurance, and proof of accommodation. The program is known for its affordable application fee (USD $60) and relatively straightforward online application process, typically taking around 4 weeks.
While no local income tax is applied to qualifying digital nomads under this program (provided income is earned from outside Latvia), employers should still assess permanent establishment (PE) risk if there is significant client engagement in Latvia.
Key Compliance Considerations
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Can your employee work for a local company? | No |
| Local income tax payable? | No (for foreign-earned income) |
| Corporate tax / PE risk? | Low if not engaging with Latvian clients |
| Social security obligations? | No |
| Employment classification risk? | Low with clear foreign employment contracts |
| Permanent establishment (PE) trigger | Unlikely unless local business activity occurs |
Visa Details
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Freelancers and remote employees |
| Minimum income requirement | USD $34,290/year |
| Visa cost | USD $60 |
| Max stay | 1 year |
| Processing time | ~30 days |
| Application difficulty | Medium (documentation, proof of income, and accommodation needed) |
| Renewable? | Yes (subject to approval) |
| Dependents allowed? | Yes |
| Work for local company? | No |
| Application link | Apply for Latvia Digital Nomad Visa |
| Gov info link | VFS Global – Latvia Visa |
Local Living Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT +2 |
| Cost of living | $$ |
| Wi-Fi speed | 92 Mbps |
| Popular hubs | Riga, Jurmala, Liepaja |
| Lifestyle | Historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, easy access to nature and the Baltic Sea |
Why Latvia Works for Employers
Low-cost visa with straightforward processing.
Strong internet infrastructure (92 Mbps average) supports seamless remote work.
No local tax on foreign-earned income under the visa terms.
Attractive base for EU travel (Schengen Area access).
Risk Summary
Low compliance risk for remote-only arrangements.
Potential PE exposure if employees solicit or service Latvian clients.
Employers should ensure income and insurance requirements are met before application.
At a Glance: Latvia DNV Summary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa in Place | Yes |
| Visa Name | Latvia Digital Nomad Visa |
| Launch Year | 2022 |
| Max Stay | 1 year |
| Visa Fee | USD $60 |
| Income Requirement | USD $34,290/year |
| Tax on Foreign Income | No |
| Social Security | No |
| Work for Local Employer? | No |
| Processing Time | ~30 days |
| Application Type | Online |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Eligible Roles | Freelancers, employees |
| Wi-Fi Speed | 92 Mbps |
| Cost of Living | $$ |
| Residency Path | No |
| Last Reviewed | August 2025 |
Donal Brady is Co-Founder and Head of Product at Work From Anywhere, a platform to help companies execute a successful workation policy. He has deep expertise and experience in the world of remote work having spent nearly twenty years working in finance leadership roles with global multinationals like PwC, before entering the world of global mobility with International SOS and then pivoting into the software industry with Accel-KKR backed Smart Communications. He walks the walk with Work From Anywhere, speaking 5 languages, having travelled to 65+ countries and worked in 10.
