When you get Latvian citizenship, does your spouse get it too?
                     DE C IV ITATE
When you 
get Latvian 
citizenship, 
does your 
spouse get it 
too?
DE CIV ITATE
A. ČAKA IELA 11 8  B  
1 0 1 2
RIGA, LATVIA  
370  6 4 2 4 7 4 4 9
WWW.LATVIA
NCIT IZENSHIP
.EU
Will your spouse 
get Latvian 
citizenship?
Thinking of taking the plunge, finally getting your  
Latvian citizenship, and starting a new chapter of  
your life together with a loved one? Or perhaps,  
you’re wondering if restoring your Latvian  
citizenship is worth it— after all, you’re already  
married and any big life decision affects your  
partner too.
Whatever your situation is, restoring citizenship is always a good idea. Not  
only does it give you a sense of connection to your roots, but also very  
tangible benefits for your future, whether you move to Europe or not.If  
you’re married (or if you plan to be married), these benefits can look  
particularly attractive. After all, Latvia is a thriving place to live and to start  
a family. And what’s more romantic than a big, life-changing adventure with  
your significant other?The big question: if you restore Latvian citizenship,  
will your spouse get it too? Or will they be able to get a residence permit?
When you get 
Latvian 
citizenship, does 
your spouse get 
it too?
Restoring L atvian dual citizenship by descent  
involves filling forms, researching documents, and 
 presenting your case to the Latvian authorities  
(helping you through this process is what we do).  
All to prove you have an ancestor who was a  
Latvian citizen and left the country during the  
period of occupation (circa 1940-1990).
This means that your spouse won’t get citizenship when you do. It’s not passed  
on automatically (unlike what happens with any future c hildren you have). The  
same goes if you’re not married when you acquire Latvian citizenship.Are your  
big plans lost, then? Not at all! Keep reading to find out what you can do!
Even though the spouse of a Latvian citizen can’t become a citizen (unless  
they, too, can restore it by descent), other options allow you to start your new  
life together.Namely, acquiring a residence permit in any given country in the  
EU— which is a much simpler process for the spouse of an EU national than for  
anyone else.Applying for (and being granted) residence means that, though  
you’re not a citizen, you can live in the country for longer than 3 months. You’re  
also eligible for a work permit and can relocate with your Latvian spouse to any  
country within the EU.
Note: the immigration requirements and rules to acquire residence as a non-EU  
spouse vary from country to country. If you’re planning on relocating to a  
different state within the EU, you should check their specific laws.
However, there are general benefits you receive as the Non-EU spouse of an EU 
citizen:
●Right of family reunion— you have the right to join  
your Latvian citizen spouse and live together in the EU.
●This is more important than other criteria— you don’t  
need to prove your work experience, education, age, or  
criminal record. The right to family reunion is usually  
reason enough to be granted residence.
●As the spouse of someone with Latvian citizenship,  you 
receive the right to work and study, as well as relocate  to 
any country of the EU with your partner (with minimal  
paperwork involved).
●Eventually, you have the possibility of permanent residence and even  
citizenship. In Spain, Ireland, or Sweden, permanent residence comes after 5  
years of uninterrupted legal residence. In Norway, three years’ the rule (plus  
other requirements). You should check the rules for your chosen relocation  
country.
What about living in the EU as a non-
spouse?
For anyone who is not a spouse or partner of  an EU national, who is not an EU 
 national, and who wants to travel to the EU, the rules are a lot more stringent.
The key differences when you’re not an EU national nor the spouse or partner 
 of an EU national:
● You need to prove your reasons for traveling to the EU  
and apply for the relevant visa (when a visa is necessary).
● If you plan on a stay longer than 3 months or if you
want to work or study, you need to show your 
credentials.  For example, acceptance by an education 
institution or  sponsorship by an employer.
● This means you need to go through a difficult and  costly 
process of first finding an institution or a job with an  
employer that is willing to sponsor you. This is easiest for  
highly qualified workers but, even for them, it is not 
simple.  If you aren’t a highly qualified worker, this 
becomes almost  impossible.
● Unlike what happens when you’re the spouse of an EU citizen, when you  only 
have a work permit or residence, you can’t stay if not working, studying or  
having another strong and valid reason to stay in the EU.
What about living in the EU as a non-
spouse?
The spouse of someone with Latvian citizenship doesn’t receive citizenship  
automatically. However, they have the right to be reunited with their EU  
spouse and can easily apply to live and work anywhere in the EU. This is a  
clear advantage over anyone who isn’t the spouse of an EU citizen.People  
are increasingly flocking towards stable European states— especially in the  
face of pandemics and political instability in their home countries. Our  
advice: if you’re thinking of relocating to Europe with your spouse (or just  
want a solid backup plan) and can restore your Latvian citizenship, it’s time  
to do so now. Don’t wait until it’s too late to act and secure the future of  
your family now.Do you have Latvian descent and want to restore your  
Latvian citizenship? Write to us via email at [email protected]. We  
will help you with document acquisition, application preparation,  
translation, and guide you until citizenship is granted. Email us today so we  
can evaluate your eligibility for Latvian citizenship.
DE CIV ITATE
A. ČAKA IELA 11 8  B  
1 0 1 2
RIGA, LATVIA  
370  6 4 2 4 7 4 4 9
WWW.LATVIA
NCIT IZENSHIP
.EU