Foreign-born population – 2025 | 11.6% of the population | Main countries of birth: Russia (43%), Ukraine (20%), Belarus (16%) |
Size: 0.2 million, 62% women | Evolution since 2015: ‑19% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, 5 100 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Latvia (excluding EU citizens), ‑6.6% compared to 2024. This figure comprises 51% labour migrants, 9.7% family members (including accompanying family), 34% who came for education reasons and 5.4% other migrants. Around 1 200 short-term permits were issued to international students and 1 600 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 8 100 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, a 53% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, India and Uzbekistan were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (400) and India the largest decrease (‑100) in flows to Latvia compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 61%, to reach around 1 300. The majority of applicants came from Somalia (200), Afghanistan (100) and Ethiopia (100). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Somalia (200) and the largest decrease nationals of Tajikistan (‑80). Of the 520 decisions taken in 2025, 30% were positive.
Emigration of Latvian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑12% in 2024, to 10 000. Approximately 25% of this group migrated to Germany, 16% to the Netherlands and 7% to Norway.
Labour migration policy in 2025 focussed on implementation of the stricter employer obligations introduced in January 2025. Employers recruiting third-country nationals were required to justify vacancies to the State Employment Agency, assess domestic candidates proposed by the agency and provide written explanations when rejecting them.
The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia adopted amendments to the Immigration Law on 23 April 2026, the main purpose of which is to implement the revised Directive (EU) 2024/1233 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State, and other changes including (i) to prohibit to use the sole existence of a child as a pretext for requesting a residence permit; (ii) to abolish the possibility of requesting a temporary residence permit for the purchase of securities; (iii) to eliminate the advantages granted to Belarusian citizens in relation to other third-country citizens; (iv) to exclude the possibility of requesting a permanent residence permit if a temporary residence permit was issued for the purpose of studies; (v) to enable to delegate the verification of documents required for a residence permit to external service providers; and (vi) to expand the protection of employees.
Latvia maintained enhanced border control measures at the Belarus border throughout 2025-2026. In March 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers extended the special border management regime for an additional six‑month period in response to continuing irregular crossing risks. The regime was subsequently renewed again in December 2025, extending emergency border arrangements up to June 2026. Restrictions limiting crossings at the Pāternieki, Terehova and Grebņeva checkpoints to motor vehicles remained in force. In October 2025, the Immigration Law was amended to limit grants of residence permits to third-country nationals with criminal records.
Implementation of the Integrated Border Management Plan 2024-2028 continued during 2025, focussing on institutional co‑ordination, border surveillance infrastructure and co‑operation with EU partners. During 2025-2026, Latvia maintained entry and visa restrictions for Russian and Belarusian citizens. Since July 2025, Latvia recognises only biometric passports of Russian citizens.
Latvia extended the validity of temporary protection residence permits for displaced persons from Ukraine from two to three years and prolonged eligibility periods for housing and social assistance measures. In January 2026, the regulation on education financing for Ukrainians was amended.
Implementation of the Development Plan for a Cohesive and Civically Active Society 2024-2027 continued during 2025-2026 at national and municipal level. Measures focussed on language learning, civic participation, access to services and support for beneficiaries of international protection and persons under temporary protection.
In February 2025, the State Audit Office published a performance report on the cohesive society policy under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture which provided three recommendations: a clearer and more purposeful cohesive society policy; the establishment of a transparent monitoring system; and that of an effective, co‑ordinated Latvian language learning system.
For further information: www.pmlp.gov.lv | www.csp.gov.lv | www.emn.lv
