GetEUCitizenship Latvian citizenship by birth

Latvian citizenship by birth is determined by the Citizenship Law of Latvia, which outlines the conditions for acquiring citizenship based on birth.

Latvian citizen by birth criteria

According to the law, a person is generally considered a Latvian citizen by birth if at least one of the following criteria is met:

Both parents are citizens of Latvia at the time of the child’s birth.
One parent is a Latvian citizen, and the child is born in Latvia.
One parent is a Latvian citizen, the child is born abroad, and the birth is registered with the Latvian authorities within a specified time frame.

It’s important to note that Latvian citizenship by birth is not automatically granted if only one parent is a Latvian citizen. Additionally, if a child is born in Latvia to parents who are not Latvian citizens, the child does not automatically acquire Latvian citizenship.

Besides, there may be additional conditions or exceptions that could apply in specific cases.

3 potential relevant considerations

Citizenship of non-citizen parents. Latvia has a significant population of non-citizens who hold a specific legal status. If one or both parents are non-citizens, the rules for acquiring Latvian citizenship by birth may differ.
Statelessness. Latvia also recognizes the principle of jus soli (right of soil) in cases where a child would otherwise be stateless. If the child would not automatically acquire the citizenship of any country at birth, there may be provisions in place to grant Latvian citizenship.
Dual citizenship. While Latvia generally does not allow dual citizenship, there are exceptions for certain circumstances, such as cases involving EU citizenship, special agreements, or specific conditions outlined in the Citizenship Law. Dual citizenship may impact the acquisition and retention of Latvian citizenship for individuals born in Latvia.

Although children born in Latvia automatically receive citizenship, they must be registered in order to be able to obtain a passport. If you need assistance in registering a child born to a Latvian citizen or registering a child born abroad as Latvian, it would be wise to seek assistance from Latvian lawyers working in the field of migration law.

FAQ

Who is eligible for Latvian citizenship by birth?

A person is eligible for Latvian citizenship by birth if they are born within the territory of Latvia and at least one of their parents is a permanent resident of Latvia at the time of their birth.

Do both parents need to be Latvian citizens for a child to acquire Latvian citizenship by birth?

No, Latvian citizenship by birth can be acquired if at least one parent is a permanent resident of Latvia at the time of the child’s birth.

Is there a time limit for registering a child's birth to acquire Latvian citizenship?

Yes, the birth of a child born abroad to at least one Latvian citizen parent must be registered with the Latvian authorities within a specified time frame. The specific time limit can vary, so it is important to consult the Latvian authorities for the most accurate information.

Can a child born in Latvia to non-citizen parents acquire Latvian citizenship by birth?

Generally, no. Latvian citizenship by birth is typically granted when at least one parent is a permanent resident of Latvia at the time of the child’s birth. If both parents are non-citizens or have a different legal status, the child would not automatically acquire Latvian citizenship by birth.

Can a person with Latvian citizenship by birth hold dual citizenship?

Latvia generally does not allow dual citizenship. However, there are exceptions, such as when a person acquires citizenship of another country through marriage or when they have a specific legal status, like being a citizen of another European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country.

Latvian citizenship by birth