A pilnvara (power of attorney) in Latvia allows one person (the principal) to authorise another (the representative) to perform specific legal acts on their behalf. For immovable property transactions, the power of attorney must be notarised to be valid.
Foreign buyers who cannot attend the notary in person often use a pilnvara to authorise a local lawyer or trusted person to sign the purchase deed. The power of attorney must clearly specify the property, the maximum price, and the scope of authority granted.
A pilnvara granted abroad must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalised (for non-Convention countries) before it is accepted by a Latvian notary. The apostille is issued by the competent authority in the country where the document was notarised.
Powers of attorney can be general (giving broad authority) or specific (limited to a particular transaction). For property purchases a specific pilnvara is strongly recommended — it limits the risk of misuse and is more readily accepted by notaries and the Zemesgrāmata.
A pilnvara terminates automatically on the death or incapacity of the principal, on the specified expiry date, or when the authorised act has been performed. It can also be revoked at any time by the principal, provided revocation is notarised and communicated to the representative.
Until the specified expiry date, or indefinitely if no date is stated (subject to revocation). For a property purchase, a pilnvara valid for 6-12 months is usually sufficient.
Yes, at any time by a notarised revocation notice. You should notify the representative and any counterparty immediately to prevent the representative acting after revocation.
Yes. Latvia and the UK are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a UK notarised document with a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office apostille is accepted in Latvia.