Latvia

British-Russian dual nationals

If you hold dual nationality with Russia, you could be refused entry to Latvia. See current legal guidance for Russian citizens, which is now in force until 1 January 2027.

Passport validity requirements

Latvia follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area

• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

 Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Latvia, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Latvia are different.

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

At Latvian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home
• show proof of your travel insurance, including health cover and medical repatriation
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay – the amount varies depending on your accommodation

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, you must meet the Latvian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa you need with the Latvian Embassy in the UK.

If you’re in Latvia with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Read about entry processes if you live in Latvia.

New Schengen entry requirements 

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.  

This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.  

On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.  

You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.  

EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit. 

If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.  

Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years. 

Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area. 

If you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website. 

If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Latvia guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Latvia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Latvia

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.  

Taking money into Latvia

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.   

Restrictions on third-country vehicles

Any vehicle registered in third countries, including the UK, must be declared for use in Latvia via the e-services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate before entering Latvia. No fee will be charged for the service and it can be done without personal authentication, but the e-mail address used will have to be verified. See Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage for more information about the declaration process.

Vehicles with Russian and Belarusian plates and registration are, with a few technical exceptions, banned from entering Latvia and using Latvia’s roads. See Latvia’s State Revenue Service and Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Latvia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Latvia

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.  

Taking money into Latvia

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.   

Restrictions on third-country vehicles

Any vehicle registered in third countries, including the UK, must be declared for use in Latvia via the e-services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate before entering Latvia. No fee will be charged for the service and it can be done without personal authentication, but the e-mail address used will have to be verified. See Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage for more information about the declaration process.

Vehicles with Russian and Belarusian plates and registration are, with a few technical exceptions, banned from entering Latvia and using Latvia’s roads. See Latvia’s State Revenue Service and Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

Emergency services in Latvia

Ambulance: 113

Fire: 112

Police: 110

Riga Tourist Police: +371 6718 1818

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Latvia
• dealing with a death in Latvia
• being arrested or imprisoned in Latvia
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Help in the UK

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates

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Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Latvia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
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• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Always carry a copy of your passport’s photo page.  

Alcohol laws and bans

Drinking alcohol in public, including in parks and in the streets, is illegal. The police could arrest and fine you.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited, even in very small quantities. Severe penalties apply for possessing, using, buying, or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports. You should expect long jail sentences of up to 10 years and heavy fines. 

Airports in Latvia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Public transport

You can get on-the-spot fines for travelling on public transport without a ticket or with an unvalidated ticket. Validate your ticket with the machine as soon as you board the bus or tram.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Latvia. Same-sex unions were legalised in 2023 and will be able to take place from July 2024.

While there are some LGBT+ friendly venues in larger cities, small towns and rural areas can be less accepting of LGBT+ travellers.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.