A Legal Requirement You Can't Skip
Latvian company law requires every SIA registered in Latvia to have a registered address (juridiskā adrese) on Latvian territory. This address is stated in the company's articles of association and published in Latvia's business register (Uzņēmumu reģistrs), which is publicly accessible online.
Without a valid Latvian address, it's simply impossible to complete your SIA's registration. The business register systematically checks the validity of the address provided. That's why this is one of the first things we handle for our clients, even before filing the formation documents.
"The registered address in Latvia is the equivalent of a registered office in many other countries. It's your company's official address as far as the authorities, courts and business partners are concerned."
What Is the Registered Address For?
The registered address serves several essential official functions:
- Receiving official mail from Latvian authorities (tax office, register, courts)
- The reference address in the business register (visible to everyone)
- The tax address for filing VAT and tax returns
- The address to include on invoices, contracts and business documents
- A point of contact in the event of legal or administrative proceedings
- A compliance requirement for banks when opening a bank account
No Need for an Actual Office
A common misconception is that having a registered address means renting physical office space in Latvia. That's not the case. Latvian law clearly separates the registered address (mandatory, can be a virtual address) from the place where the business is actually carried out (optional, if you have real premises).
A virtual address service perfectly fulfils the function of a registered address as far as the law is concerned. It's a business address in an office building in Riga, shared by several companies, which handles receiving mail and can forward it by email or post to your country of residence.
Our Address
Société Lettonie provides a registered address in the heart of Riga, in the central business district. This address is recognised by the business register and all Latvian banks. It includes receiving and forwarding mail.
The Different Types of Addresses
The Virtual Address (Virtual Office)
This is the simplest and most economical solution for non-resident entrepreneurs. It generally includes: a professional postal address in Riga, receiving incoming mail, scanning and emailing received mail, and sometimes occasional access to meeting rooms. It's the solution we recommend for 90% of our clients.
Shared Office (Coworking)
For entrepreneurs who visit Riga regularly or want a workspace during their stays, a coworking office can make sense. Spaces such as Regus, WeWork and Riga's many local coworking spaces offer suitable packages. The cost is higher, but it strengthens your company's economic substance.
A Dedicated Office
For companies with employees in Latvia or local physical activity, renting dedicated office space is possible. Riga is one of the European capitals where office rents are most affordable: expect €10 to €20/m² a month in the city centre. This option is recommended if you're looking to maximise your company's economic substance.
Registered Address vs Place of Effective Management
It's important not to confuse the registered address with the place of effective management. The registered address is an administrative and legal detail. Effective management refers to the place from which the company is actually run. The two can coincide or be different.
Many countries apply an effective-management test to determine where a company is genuinely tax resident. France, for example, applies Article 209 I of its General Tax Code: the French tax authority can reclassify a company as French tax resident if strategic decisions are made from France, with no premises or qualified staff in Riga. A virtual address in Riga alone is therefore not enough on its own to establish a company's tax residence in Latvia; other substance criteria are taken into account.
Cost of a Registered Address Service
The cost of a registered address service in Latvia varies by provider and included services:
- Basic virtual address (mail only): €150 to €250/year
- Virtual address with scan and email forwarding: €200 to €350/year
- Virtual address with representation before the authorities: €300 to €500/year
- Coworking office (unlimited access): €150 to €300/month
At Société Lettonie, our registered address service is included in our formation packages or available on its own from €250 a year. This rate includes receiving mail, scanning and emailing it within 24 hours, plus representation before the business register for address updates.
Cost Summary
Annual budget for a registered address in Riga: between €200 and €400 depending on the services. It's one of the lowest fixed costs in running an SIA — compared with the €500-1,000/year charged in some countries such as Luxembourg or Malta.
Changing Your Registered Address
It's entirely possible to change your SIA's registered address after formation. This change must be reported to the business register within 15 days and is published. The cost of this process is around €14 in registry fees. Société Lettonie handles this process for you if needed.
If you move or change virtual address provider, it's important not to let the registered address become invalid: this could lead to problems receiving official mail, or even administrative penalties.