Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantKey points
- Permits granted before 15 September 2026 continue and remain renewable.
- Renewal depends on keeping the qualifying property or deposit.
- Selling the property or withdrawing the deposit ends the basis for renewal.
- Citizenship takes about ten years and requires a Latvian language test.
Renewal of permits granted before 15 September 2026
The new Immigration Law closed the property and deposit routes to new applicants only. People who obtained permits before 15 September 2026 keep them. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) renews permits based on the €250,000 property or the €280,000 deposit as long as:
- the qualifying investment is maintained; and
- the holder meets the ordinary conditions.
Selling the property or withdrawing the deposit
Selling the property or withdrawing the deposit ends the basis for renewal. We advise existing holders to plan a sale only after they have secured another status. For holders who want another passive EU permit with no minimum stay, the closest substitutes are Hungary's Guest Investor Programme and the Greek golden visa, where property still qualifies from €250,000 for conversions; our Greece residence by investment guide sets out the tiers.
Path from a Latvian permit to citizenship
Citizenship takes about ten years: five on the temporary permit, then permanent residence, then naturalisation with a Latvian language test and a history and anthem test. Latvia allows dual citizenship on naturalisation only for citizens of EU, EFTA and NATO countries plus Australia, Brazil and New Zealand. Americans and Canadians may therefore keep their passport, but most other nationalities must renounce.
The current rules for new and existing applicants are on our Latvia residence permit page. To plan a renewal or a move to another programme before you sell, book a consultation with us.
People also ask
Is the Latvia golden visa still open after the September 2026 law?
Only in part. The €250,000 real-estate and €280,000 bank-deposit routes closed to new applicants when the new Immigration Law took effect on 15 September 2026. The company share-capital route (€50,000 or €100,000 plus a €10,000 state fee) and a new €150,000 state alternative-investment-fund route with a €10,000 budget payment remain open.
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship through residence?
Ten years of legal residence, counted from your first residence card, under the Nationality Law in force since 19 May 2026. EU and CPLP nationals qualify after seven years. You also need A2 Portuguese and a clean record. Applications lodged before 19 May 2026 follow the old five-year rule.
Can you still get a Portugal golden visa by buying property?
No. Real estate and real-estate funds were removed from the Portugal golden visa on 7 October 2023. The routes in 2026 are a €500,000 CMVM-registered fund, €500,000 in research, a €250,000 cultural donation (€200,000 in low-density areas) and company or job-creation routes. You may buy a home, but it will not count.
How much does the Greece golden visa cost in 2026?
From €250,000 for an approved commercial-to-residential conversion or listed-building restoration, €400,000 for a standard home in most of Greece, and €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents. Add about 3.09% transfer tax, 3–4% notary and legal fees, and about €2,000 state fee per adult.
Can you rent out a Greece golden visa property on Airbnb?
No. Long-term lets are allowed, but short-term rental on Airbnb-style platforms is banned for Greece golden visa property. The fine is €50,000 and the residence permit can be revoked. Plan your yield on annual tenancies, not tourist lets, and expect a Greek property tax bill (ENFIA) plus tax on any Greek rental income.