Foreign direct investment in Riga reached €10.2 billion at the beginning of 2026, showing that Riga continues to strengthen its position as an attractive location for investors. In general, the largest investments in Riga were carried out by holding companies or parent companies to ensure their operations, in real estate leasing and management, as well as in retail.
According to data compiled by LLC Lursoft IT foreign direct investment in Riga reached €10.2 billion at the beginning of 2026, with €320 million invested in Riga in 2025. Increasing investment by foreign companies is a positive development trend. Riga continues to strengthen its position as an attractive investment destination in the Baltic Sea Region, offering a stable business environment, skilled workforce and strategic location.
Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council, points out: "Since 2021, when we established the Investment and Tourism agency of Riga, Riga has been working on attracting investment, focusing on international business services, ICT, start-ups, sustainable manufacturing (including the defence industry), life sciences and real estate. This approach is already delivering results: Riga start-ups attracted €21.8 million in 2024 and €60 million in 2025, and huge international investors are coming to the city, creating more than 1,200 new jobs. Riga actively presents itself at international forums, hosts the ABSL Europe Forum and strengthens its reputation as a competitive investment destination. At the same time, we are also developing public infrastructure by introducing mechanisms that motivate developers to invest in the urban environment, and we provide support to start-ups and the diaspora. Riga has already proven that it can attract capital that creates jobs, innovation and sustainable growth for the city and for Latvia."
Foreign direct investment refers to long-term investments made by foreign companies in Latvia, including the acquisition of companies or shares in companies, investments in real estate, the opening of offices, production and service centres, as well as investments in the development of residential property, etc.
Foreign investors investing in Riga are mainly from European countries. The largest investors are from Sweden, whose investments in the capital amount to €4.36 billion, accounting for more than 40% of total foreign direct investment. Swedbank AB banking group stands out among Swedish investors, with investments in Riga exceeding €3.88 billion. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Sodra Skogsagarna ekonomisk forening, Marginalen AB, Bonava Group Holding AB, Rimi Baltic AB and other companies also make significant contributions. Significant investments in Riga were also made by companies from Estonia, which contributed €803.5 million, companies from Lithuania, which contributed €745 million, Germany invested €711.1 million, Luxembourg invested €604.6 million, and other countries invested as well.
Foreign investments have been made in various sectors. The largest investment - €4.55 billion - was in holding companies or parent companies. Investments in real estate rental and management amounted to €935.3 million, while retail investments amounted to €387 million.
Data on foreign investments in the share capital and accumulated investments of companies registered in Latvia are compiled by LLC Lursoft IT. The City Development Department of Riga Municipality uses and analyses this information to assess the city's progress towards the Riga Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 and the Riga Development Programme 2022. - 2027.
Information was prepared by Tatjana Smirnova, Project Coordinator at External Communication Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: tsmirnova11@riga.lv.