Europe
Latvia
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Still current at: 07 September 2008
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Updated: 28 August 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (removal of reference to Riga Pride, 31 May), Crime section (increase in extortionate charges) and Local Laws & Customs section (drinking in public). The overall level of the advice has not changed..
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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If you visit forested areas you should seek medical advice about inoculations against rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
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Around 85,000 British tourists (Source: Latvian State Statistics Board) visit Latvia every year. Most visits to Latvia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Latvia in 2007 were for replacing lost or stolen passports; and dealing with arrests or detentions.
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There has been an increased number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks in bars in Riga. Check the price of drinks before you order, especially if a stranger asks you to buy a drink for them. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
There has been an increase in the number of incidents relating to muggings of foreign nationals (some have had drinks spiked in casinos and clubs before being mugged). When walking you should be alert to the threat of pickpocketing and other forms of theft. Always avoid unlit streets and parks at night, and be extra vigilant if walking alone.
There has been an increased number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks in bars or having fraudulent transactions debited against credit/debit cards. Some have then been assaulted or forced to withdraw money from a cashpoint to pay for the bill. You can help avoid situations like this by ensuring that you check the price of drinks before ordering, pay for one round at a time and seek recommendations for bars from trustworthy sources like your hotel or other holidaymakers. When paying by credit/debit card ensure the transaction is completed in your presence. A search of the internet can also reveal good and bad feedback on individual bars and clubs.
Car theft is rife. Wherever possible guarded car parks should be used and valuables kept out of sight.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Latvia Country Profile
Road Travel
Drivers should carry original vehicle registration documents, when crossing the border into Latvia (including for motorcycles). Those who do not have these documents will not be allowed to take their vehicle back out of Latvia.
Road traffic accidents are common. In 2005 there were 442 road deaths in Latvia (source DfT). This equates to at a rate of 19.2 per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005. Drivers should not attempt to move a vehicle, which has been involved in an accident, even if it is blocking the road, until the police give permission. In winter, equip your car for severe conditions.
Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 0.5promille. Those found over the limit face a fine and immediate imprisonment.
Winter tyres are required between 1 December and 1 March. Local law states that drivers must use their headlights at all times, including during daylight hours.
Road Travel
Drivers should carry original vehicle registration documents, when crossing the border into Latvia (including for motorcycles). Those who do not have these documents will not be allowed to take their vehicle back out of Latvia.
Road traffic accidents are common. In 2005 there were 442 road deaths in Latvia (source DfT). This equates to at a rate of 19.2 per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005. Drivers should not attempt to move a vehicle, which has been involved in an accident, even if it is blocking the road, until the police give permission. In winter, equip your car for severe conditions.
Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 0.5promille. Those found over the limit face a fine and immediate imprisonment.
Winter tyres are required between 1 December and 1 March. Local law states that drivers must use their headlights at all times, including during daylight hours.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Latvia. For more details about this see Airline Security
Local laws and customs
You should not become involved with drugs. Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy pre-trial detention and possible custodial sentences.
The consumption of alcoholic drinks in public is prohibited. Drinking in public may lead to detention and a financial penalty.
The consumption of alcoholic drinks in public is prohibited. Drinking in public may lead to detention and a financial penalty.
For identification purposes, you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times. If possible your passport and other important documents should be left in hotel safes.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
It is the responsibility of all British nationals to ensure that they meet the requirements of Latvian immigration laws. Latvia joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.
British Citizen passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. British passport holders, whose nationality is shown as anything other than a British Citizen must contact the nearest Latvian Embassy to determine whether a visa is required for entry to Latvia.
Passport validity
As a consequence of Latvia having become a member of the Schengen zone all passports should have a minimum of three months validity on entry.
Health Insurance
You are required to have health insurance on entering Latvia. Those who require visas for Latvia need to show policies upon arrival in Latvia.
Health
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Latvian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
The incidence of mumps is on the increase and rabies is common. Tick-borne encephalitis is also common to Latvia, especially in the summer months.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 10,000 adults aged 15 or over in Latvia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Latvia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
The incidence of mumps is on the increase and rabies is common. Tick-borne encephalitis is also common to Latvia, especially in the summer months.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 10,000 adults aged 15 or over in Latvia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Latvia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (also known as Bird Flu) in Latvia during the current series of outbreaks. But The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.
There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (also known as Bird Flu) in Latvia during the current series of outbreaks. But The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. You are required to have health insurance on entering Latvia. Those who require visas for Latvia need to show policies upon arrival in Latvia. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Travelling to Latvia in winter
You should bring plenty of warm clothing if you intend to travel to Latvia in the winter (October to March). There is plenty of snow on the ground and temperatures drop to minus 25 degrees or below.
Customs Regulations
Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.
The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Latvia), without paying UK duty.
The limits are:
Estonia - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco.
Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - 200 cigarettes.
Anyone who is carrying more than the limits should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.
Money
Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
All major credit cards are accepted and there are plenty of ATM machines for withdrawing local currency using Cirrus and credit cards.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Address:
British Embassy
5, J. Alunana Street
Riga LV-1010
Telephone:
(371) 6777 4700 Switchboard
Fax:
(371) 6777 4707
Email: british.embassy@apollo.lv
Email: consularrigaa@fco.gov.uk
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Fri: 0700-1100 / 1200-1500
Visa section: Mon-Fri: 0730-1030
Summer working hours 1 June – 1 September
Mon-Thu 0630-1100 / 1200-1500
Fri 0630-1130
Website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/latvia