The Latvian nationality law is based on the Citizenship Law of 1994 (as at 2011, amended three times, most recently through a referendum in 1998

Latvian citizenship referendum, 1998

The Latvian citizenship referendum, 1998 was a Latvian referendum on amendments to the Citizenship law. The amendments were adopted by the Saeima in June. They increased the opportunities for naturalization and provided the additional option of obtaining Latvian citizenship for non-citizens and...

). It is primarily based on jus sanguinis

Jus sanguinis

Ius sanguinis is a social policy by which citizenship is not determined by place of birth, but by having a parent who are citizens of the nation...

.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not recognised by the Republic of Latvia, with the exception of a transitional clause: Latvia allows dual citizenship for those and their descendants who were forced to leave Latvia during the Soviet or Nazi occupations and adopted another citizenship while away from Latvia. In order to be eligible for dual citizenship, they had to claim it by July 1, 1995. If such a claim is made after this date, they shall renounce the citizenship of another state. If by a law of another state a Latvian citizen may be a citizen of this state, in relations with Latvia this person is considered solely as a Latvian citizen.

History

The first nationality law of Latvia was adopted in August, 1919. In September, 1940, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union adopted a decree on the order of receiving USSR citizenship by the citizens of the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian SSRs. In October, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia

Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia

Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia was the transitional parliament of Latvia from 1990 to 1993, after the restoration of independence. The Supreme Council was elected on 1990 as the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR. On 1990 it declared the restoration of independence of Latvia and began a...

 has adopted a resolution "On the renewal of Republic of Latvia citizens' rights and fundamental principles of naturalization" declaring the 1940 decree null and void with regard to Republic of Latvia citizens.

Links

• Data on Latvia at the European Union Observatory on Democracy (Robert Schuman Centre, European University Institute
  European University Institute
  The European University Institute ' in Florence is an international postgraduate and post-doctoral teaching and research institute established by European Union member states to contribute to cultural and scientific development in the social sciences, in a European perspective...
  
  )
• Decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia:
  • Judgment in Case No. 2009-94-01 (on the Paragraph 1 of the Transitional Provisions of the Citizenship Law)
  • Decision to terminate the case 2007-07-01
• Information on citizenship of Latvia at the nationality portal of the Council of Europe
  Council of Europe
  The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
  
  
• Citizenship section on the website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs