What is dual citizenship and why might someone want it?
Having dual citizenship (such as Latvian dual citizenship) is an asset. In an increasingly globalized world, dual citizenship is an increasingly popular option: it gives you the freedom to travel, increases future opportunities, and expands your horizons.
If you are a dual citizen of an EU country, you have the best of both worlds. You keep your non-EU passport while also getting all of Europe to travel, study, work, and build a life.
Keep reading to
discover whether you can claim Latvian citizenship and all its benefits.
What is Latvian dual citizenship?
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Latvia endured occupation under the Russian Empire, World War II’s Germany, and the Soviet Union. Economic deprivation and social disadvantages (and in the case of Latvian Jews, ethnic persecution) forced many Latvians to leave for other countries.
Nowadays, Latvia offers its citizens a stable economy and future. And Latvian nationality law gives the descendants of Latvians who left the possibility to recover citizenship.
You have Latvian dual citizenship when you hold two nationalities (Latvian and another) at the same time.
That means you have two passports and all the rights and responsibilities of a Latvian citizen, including the right to vote, hold public office, and own property— without giving up your previous citizenship.
The benefits of Latvian dual citizenship
Your Latvian ancestors traveled to other nations to find a better future for their families. Today you can recover and enjoy all the benefits Latvian dual citizenship has to offer:
● You will have the right to study,
work, start a business, vote, own property, and live as a full citizen of
Latvia.
● Latvia is a politically and economically stable country, and a full member of the EU block.
● Latvia’s business environment is booming, with startups and innovative ventures flocking to the country. This means lots of work and development opportunities as well as a thriving economy for the long term.
● With free, top-tier education up
to the secondary school level and prestigious universities, Latvia is an
excellent place to study.
● Thanks to a solid free healthcare system and social security benefits, Latvia is a stable and promising place to live and start a family.
● A Latvian passport ranks in 11th place in the Official Global Passport Ranking: above nations like Brazil, Israel, Mexico, Argentina, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The high-ranking Latvian passport opens doors: you can travel to 181 countries without a visa.
And last but not least, having Latvian citizenship connects you to your family’s roots. There’s something unique to returning to the place your ancestors came from. It is a journey that comes full circle.
The advantages of being an EU citizen
But even if you don’t want to move to Latvia, recovering Latvian dual citizenship still has a lot to offer.
Besides all the advantages you get when living in the country, you also receive all the rights and privileges of an EU passport holder.
Latvia has been a
member state of the European Union since 2004. As a citizen of an EU country,
you:
2. Can also settle in any of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries with little paperwork. These are Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway— all highly sought-after destinations.
3. Have the right to study in some of the best universities in the world. For example, the ETH in Switzerland, the LMU Munich in Germany, or the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
4. Can work and start a business in any EU country. The region offers excellent job opportunities, high salaries, and unparalleled living standards. It also provides a broad consumer market, a skilled workforce, and lenient tax systems designed to attract and benefit businesses.
5. Have the right to social security and healthcare that is comprehensive and free throughout the entire European Union. In each of the 27 countries, you will have the same access as a citizen of that nation.
Can you obtain Latvian dual citizenship?
The Latvian state allows descendants of Latvian citizens to acquire Latvian dual citizenship. It is called the principle of jus sanguinis: the right of blood.
The requirements to restore Latvian citizenship are simple:
● Having an
ancestor (parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent) who was a Latvian citizen
before 1940.
● Knowing that this ancestor left
the country between 1940 and 1990.
● Having or being able to recover
documents that prove their citizenship, when they left Latvia and your family
connection to them.
Restoring Latvian citizenship can seem a complex process. However, it becomes much easier if you have an expert advisor to guide you through the process.
Do you have to renounce your other citizenship?
In most cases, Latvia does not ask you to renounce your previous nationality. With Latvian dual citizenship, you get even more benefits than if you held just one passport.
Having two passports can open the door to more countries, allow you to seek out the most beneficial place to do business, and access extra benefits. It also provides a safety net: no matter what happens in your home country, you always have a way out.
Most countries allow you to keep your current citizenship when you gain Latvian citizenship. These include the US, Canada, Brazil, the UK, Israel, Belgium, Bulgaria, South Afr ica, and Ireland.
However, exceptions do exist. Some countries (such as Germany, Denmark, Ukraine, China, and the United Arab Emirates) do not allow their nationals to hold other citizenships.
Choosing to recover Latvian dual citizenship is a life-changing decision. With a Latvian passport, you will enjoy all the benefits of being an EU citizen. You will also be able to pass these privileges on to your children and future generations. If you are ready to take the first step, discover whether you are eligible for Latvian citizenship: take a free assessment today.
Comments
Post a Comment