The procedure for the entry and residence in the Republic of Latvia of citizens of the European Union Member States, countries of the European Economic Area and Swiss Confederation and their family members is governed by the Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC (the document with EEA relevance) and the 30 August 2011 Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 675 "Procedures for the Entry and Residence in the Republic of Latvia of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members". The above documents set forth that the attitude towards all citizens of the Union and their family members residing in the Republic of Latvia is equal to the one towards Latvian nationals.
The rights of a citizen of the Union and his/her family members to reside in the Republic of Latvia are confirmed by the following documents:
- Registration Card of the Union Citizen is issued if a citizen of the Union or his/her family member, who is a citizen of the Union, resides in the Republic of Latvia for a definite period. Instead of the above document a citizen of the Union or his/her family member, who is a citizen of the Union, is entitled to request the identity card of the citizen of the Union featuring the entry “Registration Card of the Union Citizen”;
- Permanent Residence Card of the Union Citizen is issued if a citizen of the Union or his/her family member, who is a citizen of the Union, resides in the Republic of Latvia permanently. The entry is made in the identity card of the citizen of the Union “Permanent Residence Card of the Union Citizen”;
- Residence Permit of a Family Member of the Union Citizen is issued if a family member of the Union citizen, who is not a citizen of the Union, resides in the Republic of Latvia for a definite period (hereinafter the residence permit);
- Permanent Residence Permit of a Family Member of the Union Citizen is issued if a family member of the Union citizen, who is not a citizen of the Union, resides in the Republic of Latvia permanently (hereinafter the permanent residence permit).