Question 1

Who has to take this test?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who applies for Latvian citizenship by naturalisation. You take the Latvian language test first, then the knowledge test. Exempt from all tests are, for example, people who completed more than half of their basic education programme in Latvian and people with a Group I disability. From the age of 65 you are spared only the written part of the language test – you still take the knowledge test. The exact rules are set by the Citizenship Law and Cabinet Regulation No. 973 of 24 September 2013.

Question 2

Can I take the test in English?

Accepted Answer

No. The test is held in Latvian only, by a naturalisation commission of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). That is why every question here also shows its Latvian wording: the English translation helps you understand it, but in the test you will read the questions in Latvian.

Question 3

Written or oral?

Accepted Answer

Before the test starts, you choose whether to take it in writing or orally. In the written test you mark the right answers. In the oral test, according to PMLP, you answer one question on the Satversme and one on history and culture.

Question 4

How many questions are there, and how many must I get right?

Accepted Answer

The written test has 18 questions in 45 minutes: 10 on the basics of Latvian history and culture and 8 on the basic provisions of the Satversme. You need at least 7 points out of 10 in the history and culture part and at least 5 out of 8 in the Satversme part. Each part is marked on its own, so you must pass both – a good score in one does not make up for the other. We found no official source on how many answer options each question has; ours have three, as on many practice sites.

Question 5

What does the history and culture part ask about?

Accepted Answer

The rules name only the field – the basics of Latvian history and culture; there is no official topic list. Going by candidates’ accounts and practice material, questions cover, for example, the state symbols, key events and dates (18 November 1918, 4 May 1990, 21 August 1991), the occupation and the deportations, holidays, traditions and figures of Latvian culture. PMLP recommends J. Taurēns’ book “Latvijas vēstures pamatjautājumi. Valsts konstitucionālie principi” and runs the self-test tool pilsonibasparbaude.pmlp.gov.lv.

Question 6

How is the anthem tested?

Accepted Answer

You may write out the text of the national anthem “Dievs, svētī Latviju!” or say it aloud – the choice is yours. The anthem is marked separately. Our practice questions do not cover it, and we do not publish its text here. The official text – two stanzas of four lines – is in article 2 of the law “Par Latvijas valsts himnu” (likumi.lv). Learn it word for word from the law itself.

Question 7

What if I fail one part?

Accepted Answer

You retake only the part you failed, and no earlier than one month later. Parts you have already passed do not need to be taken again.

Question 8

Are these the real test questions?

Accepted Answer

No. PMLP publishes only a sample, not the test questions themselves. We wrote these questions ourselves on the current Satversme and public sources. They are not PMLP material, and we are not affiliated with PMLP.

Latvian citizenship test in English: the Satversme, history and culture, beside the Latvian wording, every answer explained.

A few questions with their answers.

Questions people ask.

Try it under exam conditions.