What makes me eligible for Latvian citizenship?

Your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Latvian citizen before the year 1940 They left Latvia (or were exiled) between the years 1940-1990 The application procedure requires having documents that prove your connection to the family member with Latvian heritage and proof that they withdrew or were exiled. Write to us today and tell us about your ancestors— we can help you determine if you are eligible for Latvian citizenship.

What information do I need to share to evaluate my eligibility?

To determine if you’re eligible, you’ll need to provide us with some of the following information: Your ancestor’s full name Your ancestor’s date of birth Your ancestor’s place of birth (or residence) in Latvia: name of the village or town The date when your ancestor left Latvia.

How long does it take to complete the citizenship restoration process?

From the moment you submit the application to the restoration of citizenship, the average time for our clients is under 6 months. Before submission, it takes about 1-3 months to prepare the required information. The exact time depends on how fast you can collect the necessary documents from your country of residence. After submitting the application, the Migration Department reviews it. While this stage is the longest, we follow up periodically to ensure no information is missing for the swiftest successful outcome. We’re proud to say that since 2013, we’ve maintained a success rate of over 99% restoring citizenship to our clients around the world.

What are the steps in the citizenship restoration process?

1. Assessing if you’re eligible To evaluate your eligibility, send us the details about your Latvian ancestor. We’ll do an eligibility assessment for free. 2. Finding proof of Citizenship We conduct a thorough search in the archives to find the documents proving your ancestor’s Latvian citizenship. 3. Providing thorough guidance We’ll give you step-by-step instructions regarding the documents you need to get from your home country and guide you as you move forward. 4. Preparing the application We’ll put together your application, making sure all document details are correct with no information missing. 5. Submitting the application Your application will be submitted to the Latvian Migration Department by a dedicated lawyer. 6. Following up Our team will check in on your case periodically. If any extra information is required, we’ll provide it to ensure a fast turnaround. 7. Receiving your Latvian citizenship! You’ll have your Latvian (and EU) citizenship within 6 months of the initial submission.

Can I keep my current citizenship?

Latvia allows you to keep your original nationality when you restore citizenship by descent. You don’t need to give up your current citizenship.

If I’m a Latvian citizen, am I an EU citizen too?

Latvia has been a member state of the EU since 2004. This means that, as a Latvian citizen, you get all the benefits of an EU passport: live, work, do business, study, or retire in any EU country. These advantages include Social Security that grants you excellent, free or subsidised healthcare in most countries of the EU. Furthermore, children born to a person with Latvian citizenship will automatically get EU citizenship, as well as their children and their children. So this is an investment for generations.

Can my spouse become a Latvian citizen?

After you’re granted Latvian citizenship by descent, your spouse (who is not a descendant) doesn’t automatically become a Latvian citizen. But if you use your EU passport benefits to move to Latvia or any other EU country, your spouse will be allowed to live with you and apply for a residence and work permit. If they reside in the EU for a set time, they'll get a permanent residence and citizenship. The rules for permanent residence and citizenship may differ from one country to another, but one of you having an EU passport makes all the difference for life, work, and study. Restoring your Latvian citizenship is the big first step.

Can my children become Latvian citizens?

If your children are born after you restore your Latvian citizenship, they’ll automatically be Latvian citizens. If you have children before you restore your Latvian citizenship, they don’t become citizens automatically. However, they may still be able to go through the restoration process independently depending on the Three-Generations rule. You can access your Latvian citizenship by descent if one of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents (three generations of ancestors) were citizens before 1940 and left the country from 1940 to 1990. If your claim to Latvian citizenship stems from your Latvian parent or grandparent, your children will still be able to become citizens. However, if your claim is based on a Latvian great-grandparent, any children you already have will not be able to reinstate their citizenship. Because life circumstances and laws are always changing, we encourage our clients to restore their Latvian citizenship as soon as possible— it’s a life-changing opportunity.

What documents do I need to provide for the application?

You need to provide proof of your direct connection to your Latvian ancestor as well as of their exit from Latvia in the period from 1940 to 1990. We usually need copies of: the applicant’s birth certificate and passport as well as one of the ancestors’ passports or birth certificates. Sometimes, we also need marriage certificates (if the last name was changed) and certificates of naturalisation (if other documents are missing or we need proof of any name changes). Every case and application is different. We’ll assess your case and give you an exact list of the documents you need to provide. We work to minimise requirements on your side and search the archives for your ancestor’s documents ourselves.

Are there any other conditions (ie. language, residence) for restoring citizenship?

No! If you meet the eligibility criteria of descent, you don’t need to speak Latvian, take any tests, or live in Latvia to access your citizenship. With your Latvian passport, you’ll receive all the mobility, advantages, and freedom of an EU national.

Are there any additional requirements like knowledge of the Lithuanian language or residing in Lithuania?

There are no additional requirements after you have restored your Lithuanian citizenship. There’s no language requirement, i.e. no tests or exams, as well as you do not need to reside in Lithuania for a certain period after your citizenship has been granted. With the reinstatement of your Lithuanian citizenship come all the incredible benefits of an EU national. You will have full and immediate access to all of them once you receive your Lithuanian passport.

Home > Latvian citizenship allows you to access a world-class EU healthcare system

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Latvian citizenship allows you to access a world-class EU healthcare system

By Elze

August 23, 2017

If you are a citizen of Latvia, you have an access to world-class healthcare systems of the number of the EU countries free of charge or at highly subsidized rates.

Your European Health Insurance Card is valid for use throughout any of EU countries and in Switzerland. At the moment, the EEA consists of the 28 member states of the European Union together with Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The aim of EU policy is to ensure that you are a part of a social security system and that you do not lose your rights, regardless of the member state you decide to live or work in. The host country’s responsibility is to get the treatment costs reimbursed by the health service in your home country.

With Latvian citizenship (and therefore EU citizenship) when you are visiting any EU country for travel you can receive basic and emergency health care with a European Health Insurance Card. You can obtain this card free of charge.

It means that with a Latvian passport if you unexpectedly have health problems during your stay in another state of the EU or Switzerland – whether on holiday, a business trip or for a study – you will be entitled to any medical care that can’t wait until you get home. You have the same rights to health treatment as people in the country you are in.

With Latvian citizenship, you and your family have the same social security benefits as citizens of the country in which you study, live or work. These rights cover benefits payable for accidents at work, occupational illness, death and unemployment, sickness and maternity benefits, disability, old-age and survivor’s benefits, as well as family allowances. You will have all the benefits of medical care as EU citizens.

Do you have Latvian ancestors? Would you like to enjoy the access to the world-class EU healthcare system, as well as other benefits?

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