Persons are admitted to Latvian citizenship through naturalisation from the age of 15 years, if:
- a person independently lives in Latvia for the recent 5 years (the citizens of the European Union, countries of European Economic Area and Swiss Confederation have a permanent residence permit of a citizen of the European Union for 5 years, for citizens of other countries - a permanent residence permit in Latvia for 5 years) and they can prove it documentary;
- a person knows Latvian;
- a person has knowledge of the text of the National Anthem, the basics of the history and culture of Latvia and the basic principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia;
- a person has a legal source of maintenance.
At the same time with the person children in the age up to 15 years can be naturalized without payment of the additional State fee (if the permanent place of residence thereof is in Latvia).
Persons, who have criminal records, related to terrorism, act in anti-state or criminal organization, have failed to fulfil tax or other payment obligations against the state, or if other restrictions referred to in Section 11 of the Citizenship Law refer to them, cannot be admitted to Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Find out more about restrictions here
Procedure for acceptance and examination of the application for naturalization is governed by the Cabinet Regulation No. 1001 "Procedures for Receiving and Examining Applications for Naturalisation", adopted on 24 September 2013.