Legal address in Latvia — what it is, why it's needed, and what are the options
A legal address is one of the mandatory elements without which establishing a limited liability company (SIA) is not possible. It is the place where a company is officially reachable — official letters from the State Revenue Service (VID), the Enterprise Register (UR), courts, and other institutions are sent to this address. Although it may seem like a simple matter, it raises many questions: can I use my home address? How much does a virtual office cost? What happens if the address is no longer valid? In this article, we answer all these questions.
What is a legal address and why is it mandatory
A legal address is the official registered location of a company entered in the Enterprise Register (UR). It is publicly available information — anyone can view it in the UR database. According to the Commercial Law, every merchant must have a legal address, and it must be located in the territory of Latvia.
The address has two main functions:
Legal communication — all official letters, warnings, and notices from courts and state institutions are considered received if sent to the address registered with the UR. Even if you are physically elsewhere — if a letter (especially registered mail) is sent to the legal address, the law presumes you have received it.
Company's link to the state — the legal address confirms that the company is subject to Latvian jurisdiction and Latvian laws.
This is why it is important that the address is correct and that someone is able to receive correspondence there.
Using your residential address — what the law says
Many new entrepreneurs choose to register their home address as the legal address of their SIA. This is legal, but there are some important conditions and risks.
Requirements:
If you own the apartment or house, you may freely register this address.
If you are not the owner (e.g., you rent the apartment), you need the owner's written consent. As of 1 August 2021, amendments to the Commercial Law provide that consent no longer needs to be submitted to the UR — it suffices that the applicant declares that a legal basis for using the address exists. There is no standard form — a free-form confirmation is sufficient, but it must clearly state that the owner agrees to the use of the premises as the company's legal address. If the owner is a legal entity, the consent must be signed by its representative.
Risks of using your residential address:
Publicity — the address will be publicly visible in the UR database and anyone can find it. If you do not want your home address associated with your company, this can be a significant drawback.
Receiving correspondence — if you move or are away from the address for a long time, there is a risk that important letters from the VID or courts will go unreceived. Courts consider you informed if a letter (registered) is sent to the legal address.
Relationship with the owner — the owner may withdraw their consent at any time. You would then have to change your legal address within 14 days (see section "How to change the legal address").
Data protection — if you are a self-employed person, your residential address will still be publicly displayed in the VID database. In the case of an SIA, if you wish not to disclose your personal address, you can use a rented legal address service.
Virtual office / legal address service
A virtual office or legal address service is an alternative to a residential address. The service provider provides an address that you can register with the UR, and often also forwards correspondence (physically or by scanning).
How it works:
Conclude an agreement with the service provider (usually for one year).
Receive official consent to use the premises as a legal address.
Register this address with the UR.
The address becomes your official mail receiving point — the service provider forwards correspondence to you.
Typical costs in 2026:
Simple address without mail forwarding: average €10–20 per month.
Address with scanning and email forwarding: average €20–30 per month.
Premium services with hourly office space use: average €50–100 per month.
Advantages:
Maintains privacy — your home address is not disclosed publicly.
Professional image — especially if the address is in central Riga or a prestigious district.
Stable mail reception — even if you move, the address remains unchanged.
Disadvantages:
Additional costs — approximately €120–360 per year.
Some banks may be suspicious if the company only has a virtual office. However, in practice this rarely causes problems if other documents are in order (actual economic activity, invoices, salary payments).
Our experience: most new SIAs, especially non-residents, use a legal address service. It avoids many headaches from the very beginning.
How to change the legal address
Changing a legal address is a relatively simple process, but it must be done within a specific timeframe.
When you must change the address:
When moving home.
If the owner withdraws consent.
If the virtual office agreement expires.
If you discover that the address registered with the UR is incorrect.
How to do it:
Submitting an application
Submission method | How to proceed |
|---|---|
E-service (recommended) | 1. Log in to the portal registrs.ur.gov.lv. 2. Fill in the interactive questionnaire (no need to use form KR12). 3. Sign with an e-signature and time stamp. 4. Pay the fee in the portal. |
By post (alternative) | 1. Fill in and sign the application (KR18 form). 2. Send it to the Enterprise Register. 3. Attach proof of fee payment. |
State fee rates
Registration term | Number of changes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Within 3 working days | 1 change | €20.00 |
Within 3 working days | 2 or more changes | €40.00 |
Within 1 working day | 1 change | €60.00 |
Within 1 working day | 2 or more changes | €120.00 |
Source: Enterprise Register official description - Submitting applications and fees
What happens if the address is incorrect
If the UR has an outdated or incorrect address, official correspondence (e.g., from the VID or a court) may not be received. Under the law, such a letter is considered received 7 days after it was sent, which can lead to missed deadlines, fines, or court judgments without your actual knowledge. Regularly check the UR database to ensure your company's legal address is correct and up to date.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a P.O. Box as a legal address?
No. A legal address must be a physical address (a real property object) where the company is reachable. The UR will require the cadastral designation of the real property object (building, apartment ownership, or premises).
Can a non-resident use their foreign address?
No. The legal address of a Latvian SIA must be located in Latvia. However, you may register an additional foreign address as a correspondence address (e.g., for receiving notices), but the legal address must be in Latvia.
Can I change the address before the company is registered?
Yes, before submitting the incorporation application you may change the address. After the application has been submitted (but before registration), changes must be made as a separate amendment application after registration.
Can a legal address also be another company's address?
Yes, if that company is the owner or has the owner's consent to use the premises. For example, if an SIA registers an address where another company is already located, the relevant permission (written consent from the owner) is required.
How long is information about the old address kept?
The old address remains in the historical UR data (available in an extract as historical information), but the current extract will only show the current address.
Additional recommendation – regular address checks
It is recommended to check once a year in the UR and VID databases whether the owner's consent (especially if using a residential address) is still valid or whether the virtual office agreement has expired. A sudden change of address without a timely application can lead to unnecessary fines or inconvenience.
A legal address may seem like a minor detail, but it is one of the things that must be carefully considered before registering an SIA. We help new entrepreneurs choose the most suitable option — whether a home address or a legal address service — and provide all the necessary documents for submission to the UR.
Last updated: April 2026. Information is based on the requirements of the Commercial Law and UR practice.
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