Latvia

Petty crime

Petty crime is common, particularly in Riga Old Town. This can include:

• bag snatching

• pickpocketing

• muggings

Hotspots for pickpockets include:

• central train and bus stations

• Riga Central Market

• parks

• routes to major hotels

Pickpockets usually operate in groups.

Drink spiking

Criminals may spike drinks in bars and casinos.

To protect yourself from spiking:

• never accept food or drinks from strangers

• don't leave your food or drink unattended

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:

• shops

• restaurants

• bars

• nightclubs

Always keep your card in sight. Don't sign blank credit card slips.

Internet crime also happens, including online dating and financial scams.

Road-based crime

Car theft is common, particularly in Riga.

To protect yourself:

• use secure and well-lit car parks

• don't leave valuables in a vehicle

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:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Latvia, they can still happen.

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.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Severe weather

Latvia experiences extremely cold winters and heavy snowfall. This can affect major metropolitan areas.

Severe weather can delay transport and temporarily shut down infrastructure.

Flooding

Flooding may occur in spring, 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.

To enter Latvia, you must have a valid health insurance policy that guarantees coverage of any health-related expense during your stay, including repatriation. If you do not have appropriate travel insurance, you may be required to purchase appropriate medical insurance upon arrival.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers

• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up

• ask if your travel plans may affect your health

• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice

• International travel and health

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Latvia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is

• how much you'll take

• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

Insect-borne illnesses

Tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases are a risk in forest areas.

Ticks are active in spring to autumn, from 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

• monitor the site for signs of infection

More information:

• Tick bite prevention

Other health risks

Hepatitis A is a major health concern.

Tuberculosis is an increasing risk.

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases can also occur. Water contamination may be a problem in rural areas.

To protect yourself from illness:

• boil all drinking water or drink bottled water with intact seals

• avoid ice cubes

• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

Seek medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

In large cities, the standard of public medical facilities is good. However in rural areas, public medical facilities may be more limited.

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 up-front before they'll treat you.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to evacuate to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

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:

• Carrying or using drugs

• Partying safely

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.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Latvian authorities recognise dual nationality.

For information on dual citizenship or to check your status, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Latvia.

Travel on your Australian passport at all times.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visitor visas

Latvia is part of the Schengen area, along with many other European countries. You can enter Latvia without a visa in some cases.

Monitor border conditions by:

• checking local news sources

• asking transport providers directly

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. These include visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Latvia doesn't have an embassy in Australia. If you do need a visa, you can apply for it through the Austrian Embassy in Canberra.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

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

Travel in the Schengen area

Get an entry stamp in your passport from border control staff when you first enter the Schengen area.

Carry a valid passport whenever you enter or leave Latvia. You need this even if you're travelling from or to another Schengen country.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

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:

• Travel medical insurance

• Travel insurance

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.

International Driving Permit

If you plan to drive in Latvia, you are required to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous. Hazards include:

• icy roads and low visibility in winter

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles

• dimly lit roads

You're 2 times as likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Latvia as in Australia.

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:

• Driving or riding

Public transport

Public transport, including buses and trains, is generally reliable and safe.

Use official, well-marked taxis. These display yellow license plates.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Latvia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

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 67 181818.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a Consulate in Latvia headed by an Honorary Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular assistance. It does not 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

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