Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 113.
Police
Call 110.
Call 112 for social welfare emergencies, such as domestic violence or child abuse.
Latvia
Advice levels
What does this mean?Reconsider your need to travel to areas near the border with Belarus due to ongoing civil unrest.
Overview
Safety
- The security environment at the Belarusian border could deteriorate at short notice. If you're in these areas, carry ID with you at all times and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Petty crime may occur, particularly in Riga. This includes bag snatching, pickpocketing and muggings. Hotspots include Old Town, the central train and bus stations, the Central Market, parks, and routes to major hotels. Take care of your belongings.
- Check the price of drinks before ordering. Tourists are sometimes overcharged. Credit card fraud may occur in some bars and nightclubs later at night. Watch your card during transactions. Don't sign blank credit card slips.
- Criminals may spike drinks in bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Don't leave your drinks unattended.
- Terrorism is a worldwide threat. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places.
Full travel advice: Safety
Health
- Public medical facilities are good in larger cities but more limited in rural areas. Private facilities are of a similar standard to those in Australia. You may need to pay up-front.
- If you're seriously ill or injured, you may need medical evacuation. Ensure your travel insurance covers this.
Full travel advice: Health
Local laws
- Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties are severe, even for small amounts. They include jail terms and heavy fines.
- Don't drink alcohol in public except in designated areas. Authorities may fine you for carrying open beer or wine containers.
- Check with local officials before you export religious materials or antiques. There are restrictions on what you can export.
- Latvia recognises dual nationality. Contact the nearest Latvian embassy or consulate for details. Always travel on your Australian passport.
Full travel advice: Local laws
Travel
- Latvia is a part of the Schengen area which means you can enter Latvia without a visa in some cases. In other situations, you'll need a visa.
- If you’re travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days or less) using an Australian passport, you’ll be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You don’t need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration. There may be delays at border crossings.
- Depending on why you're travelling and how long you plan to stay, you may require a visa for travel to the Schengen area. Check the EES and visa rules before you travel. If you're a dual national of a European country, check whether the EES applies to you and what passport you should enter on.
- Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Latvia for the latest details.
- Selected land borders between Latvia and Russia/Belarus remain open for travel via car and bus, except for vehicles registered in Russia or Belarus, carrying Russian or Belarusian license plates. These vehicles will be refused entry into Latvia. Before entering Latvia, any vehicle registered in a third country must be declared for use via the e-services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate. There are no passenger rail options currently running between Russia/Belarus and Latvia. Australians seeking to cross will need to comply with Latvian border rules and requirements. Visit the Latvian Border Guard website before crossing for more information.
Full travel advice: Travel
Local contacts
- The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.
- The Australian Consulate in Riga provides limited consular help. It doesn't offer visa, passport or immigration services.
- Contact the Australian Embassy in Sweden for full consular services.
- To stay up to date with local information, follow the embassy’s social media accounts.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Full advice
Safety
Crime
Petty crime may occur, particularly in Riga Old Town and during tourist seasons. This can include:
- bag snatching
- pickpocketing
- muggings
Hotspots for pickpockets include:
- central train and bus stations
- Riga Central Market
- nightclubs
Pickpockets usually operate in groups.
Drink spiking
Methanol poisoning
Scams and fraud
Reports of tourists being overcharged for drinks at restaurants and tourist pubs have declined. However, check drink prices before you order.
Credit card scams occur in places popular with tourists, such as:
- restaurants
- bars
- nightclubs
Always keep your card in sight.
Internet crime also happens, including online dating and financial scams.
Road-based crime
Car theft may occur, particularly in Riga.
To protect yourself:
- use secure and well-lit car parks
- don't leave valuables in a vehicle
Cyber security
Civil unrest and political tension
Border areas
The security environment at the Belarusian border could deteriorate at short notice. If you're in these areas, carry ID with you at all times and follow the advice of local authorities. Areas close to the border are restricted.
Demonstrations
Civil unrest is uncommon.
However, public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
If you're in an area where protests have happened:
- monitor the media
- follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places.
There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have staged attacks in several European cities. The Latvian State Security Service assesses Latvia's terrorist threat level as low.
Possible targets include:
- places of worship or religious holidays
- hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
- markets and shopping malls
- outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
- public transport, airports and railway hubs
To stay safe:
- report suspicious activities or items to the police
- check the media for new threats
- take official warnings seriously
- follow the instructions of local authorities
If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities.
More information:
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Latvia experiences extremely cold winters and heavy snowfall. This can affect major metropolitan areas.
Severe weather and storms can delay transport and temporarily shut down infrastructure.
Flooding
Regional flooding from the spring snow thaw along larger rivers may occur from March to May.
If there's a natural disaster or extreme weather:
- use common sense
- monitor the news and other local sources for up-to-date information
- follow the advice of local authorities
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Health
Travel Insurance
Physical and mental health
Medications
Health risks
Insect-borne illnesses
Tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases are a risk in forest areas. Prior vaccination is recommended.
Ticks are active from spring to autumn: March to November.
To protect yourself from disease:
- use insect repellent
- wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
- check your body for ticks during and after forest visits
If a tick bites you:
- remove it from your body as soon as possible
- make sure you remove the whole tick. If possible, keep the tick for diagnosis.
- monitor the site for signs of infection
More information:
Other health risks
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases can also occur. Water contamination may be a problem in rural areas.
Seek medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.
More information
Medical care
There’s no agreement between Australia and Latvia for free healthcare. Tourists must pay for all medical care, even if they need to stay in hospital or be evacuated. This can be very expensive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
In large cities, the standard of public medical facilities is good. However, in rural areas, public medical facilities may be more limited. English is spoken in many places.
Most private medical facilities are well-equipped. Services are of a similar standard to those in Australia.
You may need to pay doctors and hospitals upfront before they treat you. Payments can be made by credit card or internet bank transfer.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to evacuate to a place with better facilities.
Local Laws
Local Law
When you travel to another country, you must follow their laws. Even if they seem strict compared to Australia's. Before you go, learn about the local laws in that country.
The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you're arrested overseas. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.
Drugs
Penalties are severe for drug offences, including for possessing small amounts of drugs. Penalties may include long jail terms and heavy fines.
More information:
Other laws
You can't drink alcohol in a public place unless it's in a designated area. Authorities often issue fines to people for walking with open beer or wine containers.
Authorities also strictly control the export of:
- religious materials
- antiques
If you're in doubt, check with local authorities. Before you buy an item, ask authorities whether you're allowed to export it.
Australian laws
Some Australian laws still apply even if you’re in another country. You could be charged in Australia if you break these laws overseas.
More information:
Dual nationality
Latvian authorities recognise dual nationality.
For information on dual nationality or to check your status, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Latvia.
Travel on your Australian passport at all times.
More information:
Travel
Visas and border measures
Latvia is part of the Schengen Area with many other European countries. This means you can enter Latvia without a visa in some cases.
In other situations, you'll need to get a visa.
When you first enter the Schengen Area, get an entry stamp in your passport from border control staff.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the embassy or consulate of Latvia for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.
More information
Other formalities
To enter Latvia, you must have a valid health insurance policy. Your cover must include any health-related expenses during your stay, including the cost of flying you home. If you don't have adequate insurance, authorities may ask you to buy a policy when you arrive.
More information:
European Entry and Exit Systems
Passport
Validity
Authorities may ask you to verify your identity while you're in Latvia. Always carry:
- your passport
- your Latvian residency permit, if you have one
Lost or stolen passport
Passport with 'X' gender identifier
Money
The local currency is the Euro.
Latvia is a member of the European Union (EU). If you're travelling between Latvia and any non-EU country, you must declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You'll have to pay a fine when you enter or leave Latvia if you:
- don't declare this money
- give incorrect information
You don't need to declare currency if you're travelling between EU countries.
Local travel
Border areas
Some land borders between Latvia and Russia/Belarus remain open for those travelling by car or bus, except for vehicles registered in Russia or Belarus, carrying Russian or Belarusian license plates. These vehicles will be refused entry into Latvia. The situation may change with little notice, including which crossing points remain open.
Before entering Latvia, any vehicle registered in a third country must be declared for use via the e-services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate.
No passenger rail options are currently running between Russia/Belarus and Latvia.
You must comply with Latvian border rules and requirements.
Expect increased wait time and delays at the border with Russia. Visit the Border Guard website for the latest information on border crossings.
More information:
International Driving Permit
If you plan to drive in Latvia, you're required to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Get your IDP before you leave Australia. You should also carry your Australian driver's licence (digital licences may not be accepted).
Road travel
In Latvia, you drive on the right-hand side of the road. Driving can be dangerous. Hazards include:
- icy roads and low visibility in winter
- poorly maintained roads and vehicles
- dimly lit roads
Learn the local road rules, including:
- always drive with headlights on
- fit winter tyres from around 1 December to 1 March (dates vary with weather conditions)
If you've been driving for less than 2 years, the blood alcohol limit is 0.02%. For everyone else, the limit is 0.05%.
Penalties for driving over the limit can include:
- a heavy fine
- a jail sentence
- losing your licence
- losing your vehicle permanently
More information:
Public transport
Public transport, including buses, trams and trains, is generally reliable and safe.
Use official, well-marked taxis. These display yellow license plates. The local version of Uber is Bolt.
More information:
Air travel
Check Latvia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Local contacts
Emergencies
Depending on what you need, contact your:
- family and friends
- travel agent
- insurance provider
- employer
- airline
Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 113.
Police
Call 110.
Call 112 for social welfare emergencies, such as domestic violence or child abuse.
English-speaking operators are available.
The Riga tourist police unit has a 24-hour hotline in English. To report a crime, call 2 203 3000 or +371 67 181818.
Always get a signed police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Consular contacts
The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.
Australia has a Consulate in Latvia headed by an Honorary Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular assistance. It doesn't provide visa and immigration services or passports. For full consular services, contact the Australian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Australian Consulate, Riga
Teikums Teodors
Gustava Zemgala Gatve 74
Riga LV-1039, Latvia
Telephone: +371 29 509100
Email: AU.HonConsul.Riga@gmail.com
Australian Embassy, Stockholm
Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46 0 8 613 2900
Email: reception.stockholm@dfat.gov.au
Website: sweden.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Sweden
X: @AusAmbSE
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
- 1300 555 135 in Australia
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