Northern Europe · UN member
Latvia: Travel Guide & Requirements
Republic of Latvia · Latvijas Republikas
Latvia is a country in Northern Europe with its capital in Riga. It has a population of 1.8 million (#150 in the world) and covers 64,589 km². The official language is Latvian. The currency is the Euro (EUR, €).
Where is Latvia? Map of Latvia
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania.
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Coordinates
- 57° N, 25° E
- Neighbours
- 4 — see list
- Coastline
- 498 km
- Latvia
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Latvia showing Riga (capital) and the largest cities: Daugavpils, Liepāja, Ventspils, Rēzekne, Valmiera, Jēkabpils and Tukums.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Latvia
- Passport
Latvia's State Border Guard says a third-country national's travel document is valid for crossing the Schengen external borders if its validity extends at least three months after the intended date of departure from the…
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 93 need no visa, 105 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Latvia entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement. Latvia's Foreign Ministry says that at the Schengen external border persons may be requested to present additional proof that they fulfil the entry conditions, e.g. a return ticket or a hotel reservation.
- Proof of funds
Latvia's Foreign Ministry sets adequate means of subsistence for a foreign national entering Latvia with or without a visa at no less than €14 for each day of stay if the intended stay in Latvia does not exceed 30 days,…
- Travel insurance
The Visa Code requires applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries to prove that they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance, valid throughout the territory of the Member States for the entire intende…
- Arrival card
The EU's Travel to Europe site says that the first time you arrive at a border crossing point since the EES started, passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints, and that this …
- Customs allowance
If you enter or leave the EU with €10,000 in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies), you must declare it to the customs authorities in the EU country you are entering or leaving, using the EU cash declaration form.
- Travel advice
Safe to visit — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Latvia
- Safety: Yes — Latvia is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Latvia Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: July to August — when daytime highs in Riga are around 21–22°C.
- Money: the Euro (EUR) — 1 US dollar is about 0.8911 EUR.
- Plugs: type C and F, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112, Ambulance 112, Fire 112.
- Language: Latvian is official.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 110 km/h on expressways.
- Time zone: UTC+2 in Riga.
- Capital: Riga. About 1.8 million people live in Latvia.
- Outdoors: 5 national parks and 10 ski areas.
Key facts
Latvia at a glance
Languages spoken: Latvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4% (2011 est.)
Geography & history
About Latvia
Several eastern Baltic tribes merged in medieval times to form the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but the USSR annexed it in 1940 -- an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 25% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.
Location
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Climate
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain
low plain
Highest point
Gaizina Kalns 312 m
Natural resources
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, timber, arable land
Natural hazards
large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
National symbols
white wagtail (bird)
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Latvia
The default speed limits in Latvia are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 110 km/h on expressways. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 2020 km/hResidential zonesLiving streets & residential areas
- 5050 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and cities
- 9090 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWith a trailer: 80 km/h
- 110110 km/hExpresswaysDual carriageways & expresswaysWith a trailer: 90 km/h
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1968 ViennaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Alcohol limit0.5‰ blood alcohol (0.05% BAC)0.2‰ for young / novice drivers
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)9.8 per 100,000 peopleSafer than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Latvia safe to visit?
Yes — Latvia is generally safe to visit: the US State Department rates Latvia Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Updated information on European Entry-Exit System (EES) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Updated 11 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Latvia
The best time to visit Latvia is July to August, when daytime highs in Riga are around 21–22°C. June is also a good time to go. July is the warmest month (22°C by day), February the coldest (-8°C at night), and July the wettest with about 82 mm of rain.
- Jan-3°C-7°C
- Feb-2°C-8°C
- Mar2°C-4°C
- Apr9°C1°C
- May16°C7°C
- Jun19°C11°C
- Jul22°C14°C
- Aug21°C14°C
- Sep17°C9°C
- Oct9°C4°C
- Nov4°C1°C
- Dec-0°C-4°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Latvia
Plugs & sockets
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
112 works from any mobile phone, even without a SIM card in most networks. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Ski resorts
10 ski resorts in Latvia
- 9 km of slopes
- 62 lifts
- up to 154 m
Biggest: Riekstukalns · Ozolkalns · Milzkalns
National parks
5 national parks in Latvia
- 2,161 km² protected
- oldest from 1973
Largest: Gauja National Park · Rāzna National Park · Ķemeri National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Euro exchange rates today
Latvia uses the Euro (EUR, €). One US dollar buys 0.8911 EUR; over the last 30 days the EUR has lost 1.5% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in EUR
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Latvia ranks
How Latvia compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Latvia
61 airports and airfields — 2 large, 2 medium and 51 small, plus 5 heliports. 1 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Latvia borders 4 countries along 1,370 km of land borders. Coastline: 498 km.
Military
Latvian armed forces
Latvia ranks #95 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking, with a defence budget of $1.7 billion (2025).
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Riga (621,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
processed foods, processed wood products, textiles, processed metals, pharmaceuticals, railroad cars, synthetic fibers, electronics
Export partners
Lithuania 19%, Estonia 6%, Russia 6%, Germany 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
Top exports
wood, wheat, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine, natural gas (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Latvia
Next public holiday
Day of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia — Wednesday, 18 November 2026. Then Christmas Eve (24 Dec).
Latvian passport
Ranked #29: 118 countries visa-free, 34 with visa on arrival, 8 with an eTA and 21 with an eVisa.
Latvian passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Latvia's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Latvia
Dial +371 before the local number. Internet domain .lv.
Climate footprint
6.5 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 3.45 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Latvia: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Latvia
Relocating to Latvia Now Harder as Property and Deposit Residency Paths Close
Latvia's new Immigration Law, in force since 15 September 2026, closes the €250,000 property and €280,000 bank deposit routes to new residence permit…
Visa Rules for Russian Tourists Unchanged After Latvia's Push for EU Action
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs is urging EU states to agree a common ban on tourist visas for Russian citizens. The proposal has not been ado…
Latvia's Golden Visa Scheme Faces Increased Scrutiny
Latvia's 'golden visa' program is under scrutiny as authorities investigate potential misuse involving fictitious investment schemes.
Frequently asked questions about Latvia
What do I need to travel to Latvia?
How long must my passport be valid for Latvia?
Where is Latvia?
What is Latvia known for?
What is the capital of Latvia?
What language is spoken in Latvia?
What currency does Latvia use?
What is the calling code of Latvia?
Which countries border Latvia?
How strong is the Latvian passport?
What is the speed limit in Latvia?
Is Latvia safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Latvia?
What plug type does Latvia use?
How many airports does Latvia have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.