Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
Latvia uses 230V / 50Hz with Type C and Type F sockets (European two round pins). Bring a Type C/F adapter; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage.
- Voltage
- 230V / 50Hz
- Sockets
- Type C and F
- Adapter
- Type C/F needed
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are LMT, Tele2 and Bite, with strong nationwide 4G/5G. Prepaid SIMs are easy to buy at operator shops, kiosks and supermarkets, often needing your passport to register. EU visitors can use their home plan at no extra cost ("roam like at home").
- Operators
- LMT, Tele2, Bite
- Where
- Shops, kiosks, supermarkets
- EU roaming
- Home plan, no extra cost
- Nationwide 4G/5G coverage is strong
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM travel plans (such as Airalo) are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit. EU visitors may simply use home roaming instead.
- Convenience
- Buy online before arrival
- Setup
- No physical SIM
- EU visitors
- Home roaming may suffice
- Check your phone is eSIM-capable and carrier-unlocked
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and on public transport, and is especially plentiful across central Riga. Connections are fast and reliable. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.
- Availability
- Hotels, cafés, transport
- Riga
- Plentiful in the centre
- Security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
- Speeds are fast; a SIM/eSIM helps for on-the-go essentials
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
Latvia, as an EU member, has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally.
- Internet
- Open, no censorship
- Apps
- All standard apps work
- Services
- Work normally
- No VPN needed to access common global services
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include Bolt (ride-hailing and e-scooters), the Rīgas satiksme app (Riga public transport) and Mobilly (parking and transit tickets), plus maps and translation. Contactless payment apps such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted.
- Transport
- Bolt, Rīgas satiksme
- Tickets/parking
- Mobilly
- Payment
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Card and contactless payment are widely accepted
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
Latvia's country code is +371. App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are common, and EU roaming lets EU visitors call normally. Save numbers in full +371 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +371
- Calls
- App-based common
- EU visitors
- Roaming calls normally
- Save numbers in full +371 international format