Moving from Letonia to Spain: Complete Guide for Letonian Citizens

Por Qué Letonian Citizens Eligen España

Letonian families relocating to Spain often seek Mediterranean climate, job opportunities in a larger economy, and different living costs than Riga offers.

Letonia’s EU membership since 2004 makes the move straightforward. No visa applications, no bureaucratic hurdles. Letonians often adapt well to Spanish culture. Both countries share strong family values and social traditions.

Letonia Spain Visa: You Don’t Need One

Let’s address the Letonia Spain visa question directly: there isn’t one. EU citizenship gives you the unconditional right to live, work, study, and retire anywhere in the European Union. No applications before arrival. No employer sponsorship. No proof of funds for short stays.

For the first 90 days, you don’t need to register or justify your presence. Spain treats you exactly like a Spanish citizen during this period. You can apartment hunt, explore different cities, test out the job market, or simply enjoy an extended stay while making decisions.

EU Registration: The Process

After 90 days, you’ll need to register as an EU resident. This isn’t a permit application where you might get rejected. It’s a registration confirming your right to be here.

Two documents become central to your life in Spain:

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero): Your tax ID number. You’ll need it for everything from opening a bank account to signing a rental contract, buying a car, or getting a phone plan.

EU Registration Certificate: Your proof of legal residence. Get this at the Oficina de Extranjería or designated police station. The certificate shows your NIE number and confirms your registration date, which becomes important for the citizenship timeline later.

Registration requires proving one of these situations: employed, self-employed, student with health insurance, or financially self-sufficient.

Working in Spain as a Letonian

You can start working immediately upon arrival. No work permit. No waiting period. This applies to employment with Spanish companies, remote work for Letonian employers, and starting your own business.

The Spanish job market values language skills. Your Letonian background gives you an advantage with Nordic and Baltic companies operating in Spain. Barcelona and Madrid host numerous tech companies, startups, and multinationals that appreciate multilingual employees.

If you work remotely for a Letonian company while living in Spain, be aware of tax implications. After 183 days in Spain during a calendar year, you become a residente fiscal español and must declare worldwide income.

Letonian Community in Spain

The Letonian community in Spain continues to grow. You’ll find fellow Letonians primarily in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and coastal cities. Many have non-EU spouses or partners from Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus who came to Spain through EU family reunification.

The cultural adjustment takes time. Spanish daily rhythms differ dramatically. Lunch at 2-3 PM, dinner at 9-10 PM, nightlife after midnight. Business culture is less formal than what you’re used to. Patience is essential when dealing with Spanish bureaucracy.

Sanidad Registration

Once registered as a resident and working (employed or self-employed), you access Spanish public healthcare through the Sistema Nacional de Salud. If paying into social security, coverage is automatic for you and your dependents.

If you’re not working, you may need to apply through the Convenio Especial (around €60/month for under-65s, €157 for over-65s). During your first months or while getting established, your European Health Insurance Card from Letonia provides emergency coverage.

Camino a la Ciudadanía Española: 10 Years

Letonian citizens need 10 years of continuous legal residence for Spanish citizenship. There’s no EU shortcut. Spain reserves the 2-year fast track for nationals of Latin American countries, Philippines, Portugal, and Andorra.

The 10-year timeline allows absences of up to 6 months per year, with a maximum single absence of 12 months for important reasons. When you apply, you’ll pass the DELE A2 (Spanish language) and CCSE (civic knowledge) exams.

Dual Citizenship: Good News

Letonia permits dual citizenship with EU, EFTA, and NATO member states, including Spain. This changed in 2013 when Letonia amended its citizenship law.

Spain requires a renunciation declaration when you naturalize, but Letonia allows dual citizenship with Spain and won’t enforce any loss. In practice, you keep both passports. You must notify Letonia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs when acquiring Spanish citizenship.

Important: After naturalizing Spanish, use your Spanish passport for travel. Exclusively using your Letonian passport for 3+ years could result in losing Spanish citizenship.

Bringing Your Family

Letonian family members who are EU citizens follow the same process. They register independently.

Non-EU family members? If your spouse, registered partner, children, or dependent parents aren’t EU citizens, they can apply for an EU Family Card (Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión). This gives them the right to live and work in Spain. This applies to families whose spouses are from Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus. The process is significantly easier than standard immigration routes.

Embajada de España in Letonia

Preguntas Frecuentes

We Handle the Bureaucracy

La burocracia española es implacable. Solicitudes de visado, residencia fiscal, citas de NIE, cumplimiento continuo. Equivocarse en cualquier cosa cuesta tiempo y dinero. Gestionamos el papeleo y la planificación para que puedas centrarte en construir tu vida aquí.

Esta guía proporciona información general sobre mudarse de Letonia a España. Los requisitos pueden cambiar. Contáctanos para asesoramiento personalizado sobre tu situación. Información actualizada a enero 2026.