The newly passed law forbids Russian and Belarusian citizens, as well as companies that are at least 25 percent owned by them, from acquiring property in Latvia — but provides exceptions for EU and Latvian permanent residence holders from Russia and Belarus, Belarusian refugees and repatriates.
“This is a step to limit the influence and presence in Latvia of persons and companies that are adverse to the country,” said Agnese Krasta, a lawmaker who coauthored the bill.
On Thursday, Latvia also joined a coalition of seven Nordic and Baltic countries that want a Schengen ban on Russian citizens who fought in the war against Ukraine from entering the Schengen Area.
Last week, Latvian lawmakers required citizens of Russia and Belarus to get a security clearance to work on critical infrastructure, such as energy facilities and hospitals, and barred Latvian officials from traveling to Russia.
In Finland, a ban on Russians buying real estate was imposed in April, and Lithuanian lawmakers passed a similar measure in 2023.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin wages war on Ukraine, the Baltic nations are preparing for a possible future Russian invasion, readying their hospitals and drafting mass evacuation plans.
