SIA Registration Costs 2026: State Fees and Total Budget

The state fee for registering a SIA in Latvia is EUR 150 for standard processing or EUR 250 for express. But the state fee is only one line item. The actual total cost of getting a SIA from zero to operational ranges from EUR 600 to EUR 4,150 — depending on your share capital choice and whether you need a virtual office, notary services, or professional help with documents.

Here's every cost you should budget for in 2026.

Quick Summary

Registering a SIA (Limited Liability Company) in Latvia involves both mandatory state fees and optional service costs. The state registration fee is fixed at EUR 150-250, but total costs range from EUR 600 (micro-capital option) to EUR 4,150 (standard capital with full services). Foreign entrepreneurs should budget for the EUR 2,800 share capital deposit (which remains as company assets), annual legal address fees of EUR 300-600, and mandatory monthly accounting costs of EUR 100-300. The micro-capital option allows starting with just EUR 1 in share capital, significantly reducing upfront costs for international startups testing the Latvian market.

Complete Cost Breakdown

Expense	Amount	Notes
State registration fee	EUR 150 (standard) / EUR 250 (express)	Standard: 1–3 business days. Express: same or next day
Share capital deposit	EUR 1–2,800	EUR 2,800 standard; EUR 1 minimum for micro-capital SIA
Notary fees	EUR 0–150	Not needed for single-shareholder SIA using e-signature
Legal address	EUR 300–600/year	Virtual office; free if using own premises
Bank account opening	EUR 0–50	Some banks charge setup fees
Accounting setup	EUR 100–300	Chart of accounts, initial configuration
Professional registration assistance	EUR 200–500	Optional; covers document prep and filing
Total (standard capital)	EUR 3,400–4,150
Total (micro-capital, EUR 1)	EUR 600–1,350

The biggest variable is share capital. Choosing micro-capital (from EUR 1) versus standard (EUR 2,800) changes the total dramatically. But remember — that EUR 2,800 isn't a fee. It stays in your company's bank account as an asset. You're capitalizing your business, not paying the government.

Hidden Costs to Watch

Ongoing legal address costs. The EUR 300–600 is annual, not one-time. Budget for this recurring expense.

Monthly accounting. After registration, expect EUR 100–300 per month for basic bookkeeping. This isn't optional — Latvian law requires it from day one.

Industry licenses. Depending on your sector, licensing fees range from EUR 50 to several thousand euros. Check before you budget.

Address or statute changes. If you need to change your legal address or modify articles of association later, each change costs EUR 20–40 in state fees plus potential notary costs.

For a complete walkthrough of the registration process itself, see our SIA registration step-by-step guide.

FAQ

Can I register a SIA with EUR 1 share capital as a non-resident? Yes, Latvia allows micro-capital SIAs with share capital from EUR 1, and there are no nationality restrictions. Non-resident founders face the same requirements as Latvian citizens. However, banks may have stricter due diligence requirements for non-residents during account opening, potentially adding 1-2 weeks to the timeline. The micro-capital option is ideal for international entrepreneurs who want to establish a legal EU entity quickly and cost-effectively, especially for digital services or consulting businesses that don't require significant upfront capital.

Are there additional costs for foreign entrepreneurs that aren't included in this breakdown? The main additional considerations are currency conversion fees when transferring the share capital deposit from abroad (typically 0.5-2% of the amount), potential apostille or document legalization costs for foreign documents (EUR 20-100), and translation fees if documents aren't in Latvian, Russian, or English (EUR 30-50 per page). Some banks also charge higher account maintenance fees for non-residents (EUR 10-20/month extra). These costs are typically EUR 100-300 total but can vary significantly based on your home country and chosen bank.

How does the cost compare to incorporating in Estonia or Lithuania? Latvia's costs are competitive within the Baltics. Estonia's registration fee is EUR 190, with similar total costs but higher minimum share capital requirements. Lithuania charges EUR 125 for registration but requires EUR 2,500 minimum capital and has higher notary fees. Latvia's advantage is the EUR 1 micro-capital option and lower ongoing compliance costs. For international entrepreneurs, Latvia often proves 10-20% cheaper overall, especially when factoring in annual legal address and accounting costs.

What happens to my EUR 2,800 share capital after registration? The share capital becomes working capital for your company - it's not a fee paid to the government. You can use these funds immediately for business expenses like equipment, marketing, inventory, or salaries. The money remains on your corporate balance sheet as equity and can be used to fund operations. If you later decide to increase share capital, additional contributions follow the same process but without the initial registration complexity.

Can I get a refund if my SIA registration is rejected? The Register of Enterprises refunds the state fee if registration is rejected due to formal deficiencies in your application, minus a EUR 15 processing fee. However, third-party costs like notary fees, legal address setup, or professional assistance are typically non-refundable. To minimize this risk, ensure all documents are properly prepared and consider using professional registration services for complex cases. Rejection rates are very low (under 3%) when documents are properly prepared, making refund scenarios rare for well-prepared applications.

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