Entry Procedures

Latvia is a member of the EU and the Schengen Area. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa. This depends on your nationality, and the EU ETIAS travel authorisation is planned for visa-exempt non-EU travellers. Rules can change, so check the official Latvian and EU sources and your embassy before you travel.

For most non-EU nationals, your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the previous 10 years. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can use a valid national ID card instead of a passport. Check your specific requirements before you travel.

At the border you may be asked to show supporting documents in addition to your passport. These can include a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation), evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and travel insurance. Have these ready to speed up entry.

If you enter or leave the EU carrying EUR 10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in other currencies or easily convertible assets), you must declare it to customs. This applies when travelling between Latvia and a non-EU country. Failure to declare can lead to fines or seizure, so complete a cash declaration when required.

Arriving from outside the EU, you have duty-free allowances for goods such as alcohol and tobacco for personal use, within set limits. When travelling within the EU there are generally no limits for goods for personal use, though indicative amounts apply. Latvia also has restrictions on bringing certain food and plant products from outside the EU. Check current allowances with Latvian Customs before you travel.

You can normally bring medicines for personal use, but carry them in original packaging with a copy of your prescription. Some drugs, especially those containing controlled or narcotic substances, are restricted and may require documentation such as a doctor’s letter or a Schengen certificate. Check with the State Agency of Medicines of Latvia if you rely on strong or controlled medication.

No special vaccinations are required to enter Latvia for most travellers, and there is no yellow fever requirement unless you arrive from a risk country. Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas, so if you plan to hike or spend time in nature, ask your doctor about a TBE vaccine. Check the latest health advice before you travel.

Most visitors arrive at Riga International Airport (RIX), the main gateway to Latvia and the Baltics. At passport control, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use dedicated lanes, while others go through the all-passports lane where officers may ask about your trip. From non-Schengen flights your passport is stamped; between Schengen countries there are usually no border checks. Keep your supporting documents handy.

Latvia is a compact, easy country to enter and explore. Riga Airport connects the whole region, and buses and trains link the capital with Tallinn, Vilnius and beyond. English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourism, alongside Latvian and Russian. Tap water is safe to drink, and the country is generally very safe. Pack for changeable Baltic weather even in summer.