Latvia

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 

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:

• Protests and civil unrest

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:

• Terrorism

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.

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:

• Tick bite prevention

Other health risks

• Hepatitis A
• Tuberculosis 

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.

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

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. 

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:

• 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 laws still apply even if you’re in another country. You could be charged in Australia if you break these laws overseas.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

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:

• Advice for dual nationals

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

•  Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

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:

• Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Riga airport
• Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs

The new European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. ​

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the new system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

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 

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.

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:

• Latvian Border Guard website
• State Revenue Service of Latvia

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. 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:

• Driving or riding

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:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

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 +371 67 181818.

Always get a signed police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

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 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
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