Latvian dual citizens face increasing difficulties renouncing Russian and Belarusian citizenship

More than 4,200 Latvians with dual Russian citizenship and about 560 with Belarusian citizenship, mostly under age 25, are encountering complex hurdles to renounce their second citizenship amid ongoing conflict involving Russia and Belarus. Valērijs Stojakins, a dual citizen who moved to Latvia in 2016, recounted embassy requirements for multiple certified documents and repeated visits that delayed his renunciation process. The Saeima Committee on Citizenship is addressing these challenges by proposing legal amendments that could allow young dual citizens who demonstrate good faith efforts to renounce their second citizenship to retain Latvian citizenship despite procedural difficulties. The proposed law includes provisions for revoking Latvian citizenship if the second citizenship is subsequently used. The amendments are expected to be submitted and debated in the Saeima before summer 2026.