Company Registration in Latvia - Business Starting & Setup

Want to set up a firm in Latvia? We can assist you in starting a business or in buying a shelf company in Latvia with a full package of necessary documents, legal advice and follow-up support. Incorporation of a firm in Latvia includes provision of a registered office (for at least 1 year in any of our service plans), an apostilled set of constitutional documents, secretarial services and assistance with compliance fee and pre-approval for opening an account in banks of Latvia. The total price of company formation in Latvia includes all necessary fees and charges for the first year of operation, as well as full one-year nominee service (package Optimum).

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Service packages Legislation Tax System Audit Services
Service packages
Express
Standard
Optimum
Company registration
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Legal address per year
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Secretarial services for the first year
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Fees and duties for the first year
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Apostilled bound set of incorporation documents
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Nominee service per year
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Bank Account Pre-approval
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Price
4 800 USD

4 800 USD

5 410 USD

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Corporate Information

Legal System

Legal system of Latvia is based upon civil law. Today’s legal system has been formed for 150 years under the influence of various legal cultures. The greatest contribution was made by the German, pre-revolutionary Russian and Soviet legal systems.

After Soviet government came into power in 1940, all local legislation was abolished. After Latvia gained independency it started radical reforms of the legal system. In 1992 the main acts were recovered – Constitution 1922 and Civil Act 1937.

Legal system of Latvia is still based upon Soviet legislation in many aspects.

Types of Entity in Latvia

Latvian legislation allows establishing of the following business entities:

  • Limited liability company (Sabiedrība ar ierobežoto atbildību (SIA));
  • Joint stock company (Akciju sabiedrība (AS));
  • Sole proprietor (Individuālais komersants (IK));
  • Farms and fisheries (Zemnieku, zvejnieku saimniecības (ZS));
  • Personal society (Personalsabiedrība (PS));
  • Cooperative (Kooperatīvi)

The most popular form in Latvia is SIA, since it is the most convenient form for any type of business.

Incorporation

Company Name

According to Latvian legislation, the following restrictions apply to company names:

  • Company name should not be identical with the existing names;
  • It should not be confusing;
  • Company name can contain letters, figures and punctuation marks;
  • Company name should end with the abbreviation SIA;
  • It is not required to have a name in Latvian, but it is compulsory to use Latin letters.
  • Offensive words are prohibited;
  • Sensitive words include names of state authorities and the words “state” and “autonomy”.
  • Usage of such words as "Limited", "Ltd.", "Group", "International", "Financial" is very popular.

Procedure of a Company Registration in Latvia

To incorporate a SIA company in Latvia the following steps are required:

  1. Adopt a resolution to establish a company;
  2. Pay share capital;
  3. Certify signatures by the notary;
  4. Register the company at the Register of Enterprises;
  5. Register at State Revenue Service;
  6. Connect with the system of electronic declaration.

Registration at the Register of Enterprises

To register SIA in Latvia it is required to submit an application and a set of documents to the Register of Enterprises. Application can be submitted by the founder or the other person with a proxy.

The number of documents should be mentioned in the application. If documents have more than one page they should be bound.

Before submitting the application a government fee for registration and publication in the official gazette should be paid.

List of required documents:

  • Articles of Association;
  • Memorandum of Association (3 copies);
  • Resolution on establishment of the company;
  • Notice on the registered office;
  • Application for director’s appointment;
  • Bank receipt confirming the payment of share capital (before registration it is required to open a temporary bank account);
  • Documents confirming the amount of each asset contribution (in case of contribution in kind);
  • Written consent of each director to be the member of the Board of directors (if SIA has the Board);
  • Certified samples of directors’ signatures (founders’ signature is not required);
  • Receipt confirming payment of government fee;
  • Receipt confirming payment for publication in the official gazette.

All documents should be in the Latvian language. Affidavit of compliance of Latvian documents with English documents is available.

After registration Register issues the following documents:

  • Certificate of Incorporation;
  • Resolution on registration of enterprise in the Commercial registry;
  • Memorandum of Association (certified in the Register of Enterprises)

SIA Articles of Association

Articles of Association should contain the following information:

  • founders’ information (for natural person – name, last name, address; for corporate body – name, registration number, legal address, representative’s name, last name, occupation and address);
  • company name;
  • amount of share capital, number of shares and par value of shares;
  • amount of share capital signed by each founder and amount of share capital supposed to be paid up before submitting the application for registration, time of payment;
  • amount of shares of each founder;
  • amount and par values of those shares which are paid in kind upon incorporation;
  • amount of permissible incorporation costs and conditions of their compensation;
  • special obligations, rights or advantages which are attributed to the person who intent to take part in the establishment;
  • first names, last names, addresses of directors;
  • first name, last name, address of inspector (if any);
  • other provisions which are considered significant by the founders and which are not against the law;
  • place and date of signing the AA.

Articles of associations should be signed by all the founders. It is not required to certify founders’ signatures.

Resolution on establishment of the company

If the company is founded by one founder, resolution on establishment of the company should be signed instead of articles of association. Resolution contains the above information. It is not required to certify founder’s signature.

SIA Memorandum of Association

Memorandum of Association should contain the following information:

  • company name;
  • term of existence or object of the company (if the company is established for a specific term or for a specific object);
  • amount of share capital, shares and par value of shares;
  • number of directors and their right to represent the company jointly or separately ;
  • specific conditions of disposing shares (if any);
  • other provisions which are considered significant by the founders and which are not against the law;
  • place and date of signing the Memorandum.

Bank receipt confirming the payment of share capital

The minimum authorized capital of a limited liability company in Latvia is EUR 2 800, but it is possible to register a company with a reduced capital (up to EUR 2 799).

Before submitting an application for company registration, the full amount of the authorized capital must be deposited in a bank account.

It is allowed to pay both in money and property investment.

Registration at State Revenue Service

After registration with Register of Enterprises it is required to register at State Revenue Service.

Registration at tax authority is not a part of company incorporation procedure and is completed separately.

Registration for VAT

Depending on type of entity and type of activity there are two kinds of registration for VAT:

  • Voluntary registration – if the amount of taxed transactions does not exceed EUR 35 000 per year;
  • Compulsory registration – if the amount of taxed transactions exceed EUR 35 000 per year.

To register for VAT you should file an application, in case of successful registration you will be sent a Resolution on registration.

Connecting with Electronic Declaration System

Electronic declaration system is a way to file information with State Revenue Service, returns and tax returns via Internet. Connecting with the system is obligatory.

After company registration is complete, one should connect with electronic declaration system, since tax returns are not accepted in paper. To connect with the system you should conclude the contract with the State Revenue Service. After the signing of the contract company is registered as a user within 5 days.

How long does it take to register a company in Latvia?

It takes 10-30 business days to register a SIA in Latvia. This term covers the whole procedure including preparation of basic documents, opening bank account, registration at Commercial Registry and delivery of documents.

Term of registration procedure at the Commercial registry is as follows:

  • Processing of the application takes 3 business days (standard fees) and 1 business day (standard fee tripled)

Head public notary of the Register of Enterprises has a right to issue an order about processing the application within the term set by law under condition of returning government fee, if the Register is not able to process the application within one business day.

If it is required to register for VAT processing time will take 15 business days.

Confidentiality

All the records of Commercial Registry are publicly accessibly through publication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

Publicly accessible information includes:

  • About incorporation documents with a date of registration and dossier number at the Commercial Registry

This information is published within 3 days since the entry of information into Commercial Registry at founders’ cost.

Information on registered company can be obtained at Register of Enterprises and Databases providing access to state registers.

Obtaining information from Register of Enterprises

To obtain information from Register of Enterprises you should pay a state duty in any bank first.

Request for information is submitted to the Register along with the payment receipt:

  • in person;
  • by post;
  • by fax (upon obtaining information the original receipt should be submitted).

Register of Enterprises provides standard information on companies only:

  • Detailed up-to-date information, can be obtained immediately (printout from the database of Register of Enterprises, within 1 business day);
  • Detailed up-to-date information and the before information, can be obtained immediately (printout from the database of Register of Enterprises, within 1 business day);
  • Reading the registration dossier of the registered company (only in the department of Register of Enterprises where it is kept), within 3 business days.

According to the amendments to the Commercial law 2011 about beneficiaries, shareholders of the Latvian companies are obliged to report the beneficiaries’ information to the Register.

This information is not public, since only law-enforcement authorities and controlling authorities have access to it.

There are also some exceptions to the above requirement, e.g. in case the shareholder cannot get the information on beneficiary due to the objective reasons.

Obtaining information from Databases with the access to state registers

It is possible to request the following information on companies in the public databases online:

  • company search at the Commercial Register;
  • company name, legal form, date of registration;
  • registration number;
  • legal address and telephone of the company;
  • share capital and type of activity;
  • list of officers;
  • list of founders;
  • list of persons who have a right to sign documents on behalf of the compant;
  • sample of signature by the officer (scanned copy);
  • scanned documents search;
  • search at the Register of insolvency;
  • detailed information from Certificate of Incorporation;
  • search of foreign representative offices;
  • list of branches;
  • previous addresses, names;
  • register of changes.

Information from Register of annual returns:

  • balance sheet for previous years (for one year);
  • financial statement (for one year);
  • company’s annual return;
  • annual return appendix.

All information is available on the Internet, each service fee does not exceed 5 EUR.

Local Registered Office

According to Latvian legislation SIA is required to have a local registered office. This means that each company should have a legal address in Latvia.

Seal

There is no statutory requirement to have a seal.

Redomicile

The redomiciliation of companies either to or from Latvia is not permitted.

Company Structure

Directors

The minimum number of directors in SIA is one. Corporate directors are not permissible. It is not required to appoint local residents as directors.

Secretary

SIA is not required to appoint a secretary.

Shareholders

The minimum number of shareholders in Latvian companies is one. Corporate shareholders are permissible. Shareholders can be residents or non-residents.

Shareholders’ information is disclosed to public and local agent.

There are no requirements regarding frequency of general meetings.

Beneficiary

In 2017 the Law on Introduction of Beneficiary Register was adopted.

All legal entities registered in Latvia must submit beneficiary data. The Register contains the following information:

  • The names of all beneficiaries;
  • identification number (if not - date of birth, number of the identity document, date of issue, country and issuing authority);
  • nationality;
  • country of residence.

Type of control over a legal entity (including full name, identification number for the participant or individual shareholder through whom the control is exercised, or the name, registration number and legal address of the participant or shareholder legal entity).

From the beginning of 2020 the Registry of Companies became public: the information is provided free of charge and without the need for additional authorization on the site. Some information can only be obtained for an additional fee and with a motivated request.

Share Capital and Shares

The minimum authorized capital for SIA is EUR 2 800, for AS - EUR 35 000.

In SIA, the capital can be from EUR 1 to EUR 2 799 if the conditions are met:

  • No more than 5 founders, who are natural persons (residents or non-residents);
  • All founders are directors;
  • All members have only one company with reduced capital (less than EUR 2 800).

Before submitting the application at least 50% of the capital should be paid in, the rest should be paid in within a year since the date of registration.

Share capital can be paid in cash or in kind. Founders have a right to make self-assessment of the asset contribution if the value of such a contribution does not exceed EUR 5 700 and makes less than a half of the authorized capital.

In SIA with reduced capital (from EUR 1 to EUR 2 799) the whole capital should be pain in before registration.

It is permissible to pay either in money or in property, but note that until the registration statement is filed, the paid-up capital stock of a joint stock company is payable in money only.

Bearer shares are not allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Company Registration in Latvia

How much does it cost to register company in Latvia?
The cost of opening a company in Latvia depends on the type of company to be registered and the type of activity you will be engaged in. The minimum package of services costs EUR 4 800 and includes: registration of the company on a turnkey basis, lease of the registered office for a year and secretarial services, payment of all necessary duties and fees, as well as apostilled translation of the constituent documents.
Can a foreigner start a business in Latvia?
Yes, a foreigner can start a business in Latvia. The process of setting up a company in Latvia is similar to that in other countries and includes several steps, including choosing a business structure, registering the company, obtaining a tax number, registering for VAT, if the company will engage in taxable activities, and hiring employees.
What is EORI number Latvia?
An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is a unique identifier assigned to businesses in the European Union (EU) for customs and trade purposes. In Latvia, the EORI number is issued by the Latvian State Revenue Service (SRS). The EORI number is used to identify businesses when they engage in customs and trade activities, such as importing and exporting goods or providing services across EU borders. It is a mandatory requirement for businesses that engage in these types of activities, and the EORI number must be included on customs declarations, invoices, and other relevant documentation. Having an EORI number allows businesses to take advantage of simplified customs procedures, such as the use of pre-departure or pre-arrival declarations, and ensures that their customs and trade activities are conducted in a consistent and efficient manner across the EU.
What is SIA in Latvia?
SIA is the abbreviation for "Sabiedriba ar Imegrākumu Aizsardzību" in Latvian, which translates to "Limited Liability Company" in English. An SIA is a type of business entity in Latvia that combines the characteristics of a corporation and a partnership. Like a corporation, an SIA limits the liability of its owners (known as shareholders or members) to their capital contributions. However, like a partnership, an SIA is relatively easy to establish and manage, with relatively few formal requirements.
How long does it take to set up a company in Latvia?
The process of setting up a new company in Latvia, from applying for registration to receiving a set of documents, is 10-30 days.

Core Services and fees for the formation of a company in Latvia

— Company registration

Price4 800 EUR

including obtaining permission to create a company with foreign participation, notary services, preparation and provision of originals of the company's founding documents, documents formalizing the issue of shares, as well as the company's seal

— Corporate legal services

Price3 950 EUR

including the provision of a legal address

—Delivery of documents by courier mail

Price150 EUR

— Apostilled set of Statutory documents

Pricefrom 500 EUR

Basic set of documents for setup of a company in Latvia

Certificate of Incorporation

Resolution on Registration

Memorandum of Association

Application for Registration

Resolution on Incorporation

Notice of Registered Address

Director Consent

Niminee Director Proxy

EDS Agreement

EDS Appendix

Compare Jurisdictions

    Nominee Director, resident of Latvia

    Nominee Shareholder, resident of Latvia

    Paid-up “nominee shareholder” set includes the following documents

    Compliance fee in Latvia

    Compliance fee is payable in the cases of: incorporation of a company, renewal of a company, liquidation of a company, transfer out of a company, issue of a power of attorney to a new attorney, change of director / shareholder / BO (except the change to a nominee director / shareholder), signing of documents

    Basic

    Price350 USD

    simple company structure with only 1 physical person

    For legal entity in structure under GSL administration

    Price150 USD

    additional compliance fee for legal entity in structure under GSL administration (per 1 entity)

    For legal entity in structure not under GSL administration

    Price200 USD

    additional compliance fee for legal entity in structure NOT under GSL administration (per 1 entity)

    For client with high risk Status

    Price450 USD

    Signing of documents

    Price100 USD

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