Open a Liaison Office in Latvia
Learn how to open a liaison (representative) office in Latvia, what activities it may carry out and the key registration steps. Contact our specialists.
Are you interested in opening a liaison office in Latvia? This article explains the key steps involved. Businessmen can access our online services and benefit from support provided by our specialists in company formation in Latvia.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| The purpose of a liaison office in Latvia | – for promoting and advertising the activities of a foreign company in Latvia, – for contracting potential local partners and collaborators |
How is the liaison office also known in Latvia? | Representative office |
How can a representative office be registered in Latvia? | The company’s Articles of Association are solicited as well as other important documents. Information about the company directors and liaison office is needed. |
| Can a liaison office in Latvia have commercial activities? (YES/NO) | NO |
| Contracting potential clients and partners (YES/NO) | YES |
| Local agent required (YES/NO) | YES |
| Attributes of a liaison officer | – can promote the activities of the foreign company, – can get in contact with potential local partners or clients, – can develop market reseach. Should develop constant communication with the parent company. |
| Bank account for a liaison office in Latvia | Recommended for the expenses of the representative office in Latvia |
| Allowed to invoice local customers | Not available |
| The institution that authorizes the liaison office in Latvia | Latvian Trade Register |
| Authorized resolution | Issued by the parent company when incorporation of a liaison office in Latvia commences |
| Travel requirements | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Business advertising through a liaison office in Latvia | The products, services, and activities of a foreign company can be advertised in Latvia through a liaison office. |
| Time frame for opening a liaison office in Latvia | A few days or months, depending on the formalities and local procedures |
| Why choose our company formation agents in Latvia? | We can offer: – assistance in preparing the documents for opening a liaison office in Latvia, – support and representation with the relevant registration authorities, – and complete services at affordable prices. |
| Legislation on businesses in Latvia | Latvian Commercial Law |
Legal person status (YES/NO) | NO |
Decision on foundation | Required at the time of liaison office registration and issued by the foreign company |
| Sectors in which a liaison office can be registered | – education/social, – tourism, – advertising & communication, – government-related domains, etc. |
| Notarized signature | Necessary from the manager of the liaison office in Latvia |
| Cost related to opening a liaison office in Latvia | For: – business formation, – signature certification, – state fee registration |
| Registration announcement | Mandatory with Latvian Herald and free of charge |
| Translation and legalization of documents into Latvian | Mandatory. Our Latvian lawyers can guide you in this endeavor. |
| Notarized copy of the passport of the office representative (YES/NO) | YES |
| Employment contracts and salary payment | Not available through a liaison office in Latvia |
| Daily expenses | Covered by the parent company and paid through a Latvian bank account |
| Administrative costs of a liaison office in Latvia | Lower compared to other business structures |
| Another mandatory condition for registration | Must be incorporated with the Register of Enterprises in Riga |
| Can a liaison office transform into a branch in Latvia? | If the parent company decides on developing commercial activities. Other business conditions are imposed. |
| Tax registration | Only if the representative office becomes a branch |
How is a liaison office known in Latvia?
- Representative office,
- RO.
Where do I register a representative office in Latvia?
At the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia.
What are the main purposes and activities of an RO in Latvia?
- can develop various marketing & advertising activities,
- can contact local business partners & create new collaborations,
- can gather information in the chosen business field,
- can discover new local business & investment opportunities, etc.
Below you can discover an infographic about liaison offices in Latvia:
Can a liaison office in Latvia develop commercial activities?
No.
What is the status of a representative office in Latvia?
It acts as a communication channel for the foreign company.
What are the main documents to open a liaison office in Latvia?
- the standard application form used for the registration of companies in Latvia;
- the Memorandum of Association & the Articles of Incorporation of the parent company;
- the registration certificate of the foreign firm;
- an authorized resolution of the foreign company to open a liaison office in Latvia;
- the decision to choose the representative agent of the liaison office in Latvia;
- a document validating the legal address of the Latvian liaison office;
- a notarized copy of the passport of the liaison office representative;
- an authenticated signature sample of the head of the representative office in Latvia.
We invite you to watch a video presentation about the features of a liaison office in Latvia:
Is a tax ID needed for an RO in Latvia?
Yes, you will have to obtain the Tax Identification Number (TIN). This is also known as the Enterprise Registration Number that can be assigned by the Latvian Trade Register.
Can I hire local staff when opening a liaison office in Latvia?
Yes.
Are a corporate stamp and a digital signature required?
Yes.
What is the time frame to open a liaison office in Latvia?
About 2-4 weeks.
Can a RO in Latvia be set up remotely?
Yes, via proxy from our Latvian agents.
Why is the liaison office in Latvia a good business option?
A liaison office in Latvia is a convenient manner in which foreign corporations can enter the market for the first time, however, without commercial activities.
When you want to start a Latvian company, you can opt for the variety of services of our company formation agents in Latvia. You can benefit from personalized services right from the start of your business. These include support for taxation and reporting, financial assistance, and other issues with the help of our specialized accountants in Latvia. Contact us for complete details about how to open a representative office in Latvia.
Roberts Valpīters, Attorney at Law · 5 October 2026Roberts Valpīters is founder of EU LAW FIRM based in Latvia.