Tax Optimization in Latvia
Legally reduce your tax burden through the Latvian tax framework, one of the most advantageous in Europe for entrepreneurs.
How the optimization works
The minimum salary + dividends strategy, the cornerstone of Latvian taxation for entrepreneurs.
Minimum salary
You pay yourself a minimum salary of EUR 780/month as director of your SIA. This salary is subject to Latvian social contributions (~34.09%), which gives you access to European social protection.
Dividends
The remaining profits are distributed as dividends. As long as they stay in the company, CIT is 0%. Upon distribution, the tax is 25% (nominal rate, i.e. 20% effective on the gross amount).
Result
Effective overall rate: ~15 to 26%
Depending on your revenue and the ratio of distributed vs. reinvested dividends. Compared to 40-55% in most Western European countries.
High-tax Europe vs Latvia
The same income, two radically different tax realities. Example based on typical Western European rates.
Western Europe
Latvia
How much do you actually save?
Three realistic scenarios for service-based entrepreneurs.
EUR 100,000 revenue
Western Europe (typical)
~EUR 48,000
in taxes and charges
Latvia (SIA + dividends)
~EUR 22,000
in taxes and charges
+EUR 26,000 / year
in savings
EUR 200,000 revenue
Western Europe (typical)
~EUR 98,000
in taxes and charges
Latvia (SIA + dividends)
~EUR 43,000
in taxes and charges
+EUR 55,000 / year
in savings
EUR 500,000 revenue
Western Europe (typical)
~EUR 250,000
in taxes and charges
Latvia (SIA + dividends)
~EUR 106,000
in taxes and charges
+EUR 144,000 / year
in savings
Indicative estimates for a service provider without significant expenses, based on a minimum salary + full dividend distribution strategy. Every situation is unique, contact us for a personalized simulation.
All Latvian tax levers
A complete toolkit to legally optimize your taxation.
0% CIT on reinvested profits
Unique in Europe: profits reinvested in your SIA are not taxed. The 25% CIT only applies to dividend distributions. No additional flat tax.
Controlled social charges
34.09% social contributions on a minimum salary of EUR 780/month, approximately EUR 266/month. Dividends are not subject to any additional social contributions, unlike in many Western European countries.
Double tax treaties
Latvia has 60+ bilateral treaties following the OECD model to avoid double taxation. Tax credit, clear residency rules, full legal certainty for European expatriates.
No wealth tax
Latvia has no wealth tax of any kind, whether on real estate or financial assets. No equivalent to wealth taxes found in other EU countries. Only a modest local property tax applies to real estate held in Latvia.
R&D tax credit
Tax incentives for R&D activities: enhanced deductions for research and development expenses. Support for technological innovation and digital businesses.
Special economic zones
Enhanced tax regimes in Latvia's SEZs (Special Economic Zones): additional reductions on CIT, property tax and local taxes for eligible businesses.
Latvian micro-enterprise: 25% flat tax
For companies with less than EUR 40,000 in annual revenue and a single employee, the micro-enterprise regime applies a single flat tax of 25% on revenue. This rate covers income tax and social contributions. An ideal simplified option for individual freelancers and consultants.
Your tax optimization step by step
Structured support for a smooth tax transition.
Personalized tax audit
Complete analysis of your current situation: income, assets, legal structure, projections. Detailed home country vs Latvia simulation and identification of optimization levers.
Custom strategy
Development of your optimal tax strategy: choice of regime (standard SIA or micro-enterprise), salary/dividend calibration, planning of tax residency transition.
Implementation
Formation of your SIA, bank account opening, SRS registration (Latvian tax authority), compliance with the applicable double tax treaty. Notification to your home country's tax authorities if required.
Monitoring and compliance
Latvian accounting, tax filings, annual adjustment of the salary/dividend strategy. Permanent monitoring of regulatory changes and tax opportunities.
100% legal, 100% regulated
Tax optimization in Latvia is built on a solid and internationally recognized legal framework.
Double tax treaties
Latvia has signed tax treaties with over 60 countries that eliminate double taxation. Income of a Latvian tax resident is taxed in Latvia, and your home country cannot tax it a second time.
OECD member since 2016
Latvia complies with OECD tax transparency standards, including automatic information exchange (CRS) and BEPS rules against base erosion. Nothing opaque, nothing offshore.
EU anti-abuse directives
Latvia transposes all European anti-evasion directives (ATAD I & II). Tax optimization is legal as long as it is based on real economic substance: actual residence, real activity, physical office.
Eurozone since 2014
No currency risk, no conversion fees. Your SIA invoices in euros, receives in euros, and pays you in euros. The same currency as your European clients.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, 100%. Latvia has been an EU member since 2004, joined the eurozone in 2014, and the OECD in 2016. Latvia has tax treaties with over 60 countries that precisely govern the allocation of taxation rights. Tax optimization is not evasion: it is the legal use of provisions established by law.
In Latvia, corporate income tax is 0% as long as profits remain in the company (reinvested). The 25% tax only applies when dividends are distributed. This means you can grow your cash reserves, invest in your business, and only pay tax on what you actually withdraw from the company.
The risk only exists if you maintain your tax residency in your home country while running a Latvian SIA with no real economic substance ("shell company"). This is why we systematically pair SIA formation with obtaining Latvian residence. With real substance in Latvia (declared address or 183+ days presence, office, real activity), there is no risk of requalification.
Latvia has signed double tax treaties with over 60 countries, which avoid double taxation and allocate taxation rights between jurisdictions. As a Latvian tax resident directing a SIA, your income is taxed in Latvia under Latvian law. Your home country cannot tax it a second time, in accordance with the applicable treaty provisions.
Yes. For companies with less than EUR 40,000 in annual revenue and only 1 employee, the micro-enterprise regime applies a flat tax of 25% on revenue. This rate covers income tax and social contributions. It is a simple and advantageous option for individual freelancers and consultants.
No. Latvia has no wealth tax of any kind, whether on real estate or financial assets. There is no equivalent to wealth taxes found in other EU countries. Only a modest local property tax applies to real estate held in Latvia.
Ready to take control of your taxes?
Personalized simulation in 30 minutes. Discover exactly how much you can save.
First step: set up your SIA in Latvia.