Naturalization

27.07.2018. 15:39

The naturalization process has always played an important role to play in furthering social integration in Latvia.

To facilitate naturalization and increase the number of Latvian citizens, the naturalization process has been made easier on several occasions while observing international standards in this field: the structure and content of naturalization exams has been adapted to the functional use of the language; Latvian language and history exams have been simplified; the accessibility of the naturalization process has increased; the number of documents to be submitted has decreased; and the process of considering naturalization applications has been optimized.

In addition to that, various awareness raising campaigns are being undertaken: information days are organized about opportunities and conditions for naturalization, and informational materials on naturalization procedures are published.

The percentage of non-citizens (data as of 1 January 2018) has dropped to 11% (233 393) compared to 29% (approximately 730 000) in 1995, when the naturalization process began. As of 1 January 2018, 84, 6% of residents of Latvia were citizens. From 1 February 1995 to 31 March 2018, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 145 583 persons by a Cabinet of Ministers Decree.

99,9% of the children born in Latvia in 2017 were Latvian citizens.