Dual citizenship

The Latvian parliament on May 9, 2013, approved amendments to the Citizenship Law that allow for dual citizenship. From 1991 until July 1995, under so-called transitional rules in the Citizenship Law, it was possible for former World War II exiles and their descendants, as well as for Soviet-era émigrés and deportees, to claim Latvian citizenship without having to give up the citizenship of their host country. In all, 30,793 persons took advantage of the transitional rules and became dual citizens, according to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde). However, after that dual citizenship was banned. Over the years, pressure increased on the Saeima to reconsider several aspects of the Citizenship Law and to once again allow dual citizenship, both for those from the exile generations and for various other groups, including recent emigrants to countries such as Ireland and Great Britain. Available on this page are links to articles on the topic of dual citizenship, as well as other resources.

Archive

2013

Saeima approves dual citizenship

Committee OKs citizenship law; Saeima vote expected May 9

Diaspora leaders ask Saeima to ease dual citizenship for Australia, New Zealand, Brazil

2012

Amendments to citizenship law not likely to be approved before Jan. 1

Radio show aimed at Latvians abroad plans broadcast on citizenship law

Saeima passes second reading of Citizenship Law amendments

MPs say Latvians in Australia, Brazil need not worry about citizenship law

Saeima committee moves citizenship law amendments to 2nd reading

Dual citizenship, other amendments move closer to approval by Saeima

Conference in Rīga addresses citizenship

Citizenship agency to appeal court’s ruling in Latvian physicist’s case

2011

Cabinet backs citizenship law changes; justice minister calls for swift passage

Lawmakers: Latvia needs to improve, finance relations with diaspora

Saeima committee reintroduces amendments to citizenship law

Legislation proposing dual citizenship may now have to wait for 11th Saeima

Tiekoties ar ASV jauniešiem, Zatlers pārrunā dubultpilsonības jautājumu

Saeima supports dual citizenship proposal, sends bill to 2nd reading

Special commission to study changes to Latvia’s citizenship law

Jūsu brīvība bija mūsu uzdevums

Vienotība seeks dual citizenship; Saeima now has 3 proposals

Government’s action plan calls for dual citizenship by year’s end

Saeima begins discussion on president’s dual citizenship proposals

Zatlers joins dual citizenship debate, tells Saeima it’s time to change law

Nationalists in Saeima propose amendments to allow dual citizenship

2010

Saeima approves dual citizenship for Latvian woman in Canada

MPs seek end to dual citizenship ban; Latvian-Canadian asks Saeima’s help

Vienotība: Next Saeima should amend law to allow dual citizenship

Supreme Court to rule this month on Strunskis dual citizenship case

Court rules dual citizenship restriction is constitutional

Constitutional Court to review dual citizenship case in April

2009

Constitutional Court gives itself more time to ready citizenship case

Constitutional Court to hear case challenging dual citizenship rule

Top court questions constitutionality of Latvia’s dual citizenship rule

Lack of political support kills citizenship changes, premier says

TB/LNNK opposes changes to citizenship law

Five dual citizens among Europarliament candidates

2008

Minister, PBLA discuss dual citizenship options

Dual citizenship proposal moves forward

2007

Kastēns urges broader dual citizenship discussion

New work group considers dual citizenship proposals

Court throws out case challenging dual citizenship ban

Task force offers plan of action for repatriation

Survey shows strong support for dual citizenship

Survey raises hope for dual citizenship

Survey asks diaspora about dual citizenship

2004

PBLA: Say ‘no’ to ban on dual citizens in high office

Western Latvians as political enemies

Law would bar dual citizens from high office