The Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Latvia, adopted in 1994, allows for the restoration of citizenship to those who were citizens of Latvia on 17 June 1940, and their descendants. This provision was added to acknowledge the injustice suffered by Latvian Jews during the Holocaust and to provide them and their descendants with a way to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.
During the Holocaust, many Jews fled Europe and sought refuge in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Israel. In many cases, Holocaust descendants have the right to obtain a second Latvian citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for descendants of Holocaust survivors to obtain Latvian citizenship are as follows:
- The applicant must be a direct descendant of individuals who were living in Latvia as citizens of the Latvian Republic from 1918-1940
- The applicant’s ancestor(s) must have left Latvia during the Holocaust period (1940-1945) or during the Soviet occupation (1945-1991)
- The applicant’s ancestor(s) must have left Latvia due to persecution and oppression by the occupying forces
When applying for Latvian citizenship by descent, potential challenges or obstacles may arise during the application process. For example, if the applicant’s ancestor left Latvia before 1940 and became a citizen of another country, their descendants may not be eligible for Latvian citizenship. In addition, applicants must provide thorough documentation proving their ancestry and may face delays or rejections if any information is missing or incorrect. It is recommended to seek the assistance of a qualified legal professional with experience in Latvian citizenship law to navigate the application process successfully.
Further information on next steps can be found here: https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/person-who-was-citizen-latvia-17-june-1940-or-his-or-her-descendant-and-who-citizen-another-country
(information current as of August, 2025)