In order to avoid unpleasant incidents during travel and not expose itself to risk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that the information regarding the countries or individual territories thereof be consulted, as well as the recommended precautions prior to and during the journey.

Available on the Ministry's website list of country information in which, when selecting the country of destination, it is possible to familiarise itself with the recommendations and alerts for travellers.

Anyone must take a valid passport (or identity card) when crossing the national border (eID card) if you are travelling within the Schengen area). Contact your foreign country before travelling embassy to find out what the term of validity of the passport should be when entering the country.

All passports of Latvian citizens and non-citizens shall be valid for travel, except for:

• Passports of Latvian citizens issued by 30 June 2002 (with a photo card pasted);
• Passports of Latvian citizens and non-citizens issued with a term of validity of 50 years.

Passports of Latvian citizens and non-citizens who are not valid for travel until the end of their term of validity shall be used to certify their identity in Latvia.

The passport or identity card (eID card) shall not be valid for travel if:

• the name of the person has changed (or any other information specified in the passport or identity card);
• the holder of the passport or identity card has declared in writing the loss of that document;
• the document is damaged;
• the document has expired.

If you have lost or you have a stolen identity card and include certificates that have been activated upon your wish, you must contact the VAS of the trusted certification service provider immediately. Latvia State Radio and Television Centre telephone hotline +371 67108787 and to ask for the suspension of the certificates. The hotline operator will ask the secret question in order to verify your identity, which you have indicated when drawing up an application for the issue of a personal identity card.

Similarly, if you have reasonable suspicion that your identity card has come to the disposal of another person and that the electronic signature data has been used without your knowledge. You can only request a suspended renewal of certificates on-site at the PMLP or Latvian diplomatic mission abroad.

If the passport or identity card is missing, stolen or damaged and the person does not have a valid document at his or her disposal in order to return to Latvia, a return certificate shall be issued in a foreign representation.

Information regarding the issuance of return certificates shall be provided by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information may be received in Latvia Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

• 8000 5905 free information phone for travellers;
• +371 67015905 calls from abroad;
• +371 26337711 emergency hotline: deaths, serious illness, disaster etc.

Return certificate must be released immediately after returning to Latvia The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. 

For more information on the receipt of a personal identification document, the video guide on how to apply for the issue of a document electronically, as well as on action if the document is lost, read in the life situation “Passports and eID cards“.

Before travelling, it should be made clear whether a visa is required when travelling to the country selected (taking into account the length of accommodation and the purpose of the journey). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website contains a list of countries to which you can go without a visa or, on receipt of an electronic entry permit prior to the journey. If you still need a visa, contact the national representative office to find out the requirements, process and costs of the application. Available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Composition and contact details of the foreign diplomatic corps (in English), which you can use to contact the national representative and to find out the information you are interested in.

If you find that you are without a valid travel document during the journey, you have lost your passport or identity card (or it has been stolen) or have realised during the journey that the passport or eID card has expired:

• contact your country's consulate or embassy immediately;
• if you are in a country without your national consulate or embassy, you may ask for consular protection from any other EU national consulate or embassy.

More about action if you have problems with your passport or eID card when you are abroad, read the description of the life situation What should be observed by Latvian nationals abroad? under the heading What should I do if I have problems with my passport or identity card (eID card) when I'm abroad?.

Existing rules and available information can be consulted in the country you leave and in the country you are going tohere.

You should be accompanied by a valid travel document while travelling because, although no border controls are being carried out between EU countries, it may be renewed in exceptional circumstances. It should also be noted that staying abroad without valid travel documents may be punishable. The amount of the penalty may vary from country to country.

If you are travelling with a child, the child must be accompanied by a valid travel document - passport or Latvian citizen's identity card (eID card). Prior to the journey, it must be verified whether, in addition to documents issued in Latvia (birth certificate, authorisation, decision of the Orphan's Court, etc.), foreign officials need a translation and a statement of authenticity of the document. Contact the relevant questions diplomatic and consular missions of a foreign state.

If a child travels alone (it is allowed to reach the age of compulsory education - 5 years) or in conjunction with adults who are not his or her lawful guardians, the notarised consent of the parents may be necessary (one parent who is a national of Latvia is sufficient) for the autonomous travel of the child or accompanied by a person authorised for travelling. Consent must be signed by the parents of the child, one of the parents or the lawful guardian (s). For a child, when travelling alone or accompanied by an authorised person, notarised consent shall be compulsory when leaving the Schengen area, for example, when travelling to Russia, Belarus, etc. When travelling to the Schengen area or EU countries, such consent shall not be compulsory.

If a child travels from Latvia and travels to third countries (outside the EU and Schengen area), additional documents are only needed for a child who is a Latvian national (Latvian citizen, Latvian non-citizen, stateless person who has been granted stateless status in the Republic of Latvia). Detailed information on the necessary documents for the departure of a child from Latvia is available on the website of the State Border Guard.

However, in any case, if the child does not travel with the parents, it is recommended to draw up a notarially certified mandate for the representation of the child in emergency situations. It is the responsibility of parents to provide an authorised representative of a child who will take care of and represent the interests of the child, for example in medical establishments (if the child needs medical treatment, the doctor will not be allowed to provide it without the consent of the authorised person or parents). Such a power must be drawn up at sworn notary in Latvia in face-to-face or video-conference mode (if the person has an electronic signature of Latvia) or in Latvian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

If a child travels with one parent who is a national of Latvia, the child does not need a notarially certified consent of the other parent.
If a child is leaving the country for purposes other than travel, but for a permanent life in another country, such a decision must be brought into line with the other parent. If the court has determined the place of residence of the child in a foreign state by its decision, the consent of the other parent shall not be required for the parent who leads the child to a permanent life in that country. If one of the parents considers that the other parent has taken or unlawfully detained their common child abroad, he/she may submit a request to the Ministry of Justice (TM) regarding the return of the child to Latvia or a request for the provision of rights of access with the child. More information is available on the TM website here and here.

Countries in which a child enters, including transit countries, shall have the right to impose their own requirements for the entry of minors. Such additional requirements may be imposed where border checks at internal borders have been re-established in other EU or Schengen countries, as well as in other cases. Similarly, passenger carriers, such as an airline with which a child travels, are entitled to determine their requirements. Parents must therefore verify before travelling whether the country to which or through which the child will travel or the passenger carrier concerned has not imposed additional requirements relating to the child's travel. Before a child goes his or her way, check the rules in force in the country of exit and destination. Information on arrangements can be consulted in specific EU countries here. It is also recommended that information be consulted by national authorities, embassy or consulate.

If you are in an emergency situation (deaths, serious illness, disasters, etc.) when you are abroad, you may be assisted by:

• calling the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during working days from 9:00 a.m. 17:00 +371 67015905;
• when calling the day-to-day hotline of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs +371 26337711;
• writing to the MFA's  e-address;
• when writing to e-mail palidziba@mfa.gov.lv.

In order to protect yourself, your property and health when travelling, you must think about insurance. Travel insurance is widely offered by many insurance companies and can be presented electronically on the websites of companies, as well as in on-the-spot branches, during the journey. Travellers are advised to have insurance which also covers repatriation costs to their home country, in the event of the death of a person or serious illness.

When travelling, it is certainly worth weighing all health risks in the event of sudden illness, injury, etc. In such situations, the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, is very useful, which demonstrates your right to receive the necessary or emergency healthcare to the same extent as it is provided to the people of the country concerned.

The EHIC shall be a plastic card attesting that the person is a Member State of the European Union, a Member State of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) or a Swiss Confederation and is socially insured in his or her country.

The EHIC card can be applied for:

1. electronically, on the E-Health portal My EHIC;
2. using an e-service To apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC);

1. when sent securely  electronic signature sign the application form to NHS's  e-address or nvd@vmnvd.gov.lv;
2. on-site at the NHS;
3. by post (by sending an application form) to the NHS.

The EHIC shall be issued free of charge and shall be valid for three years. You may receive a new card free of charge after the expiry date of the card (or within one month before the existing EHIC expires).

Vaccination is an essential guarantor of health. Available on this website list of countries in which you can find out about the necessary vaccines in the country and region.

The consular register is an information system under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which any resident of Latvia who holds a Latvian passport may register and who intends to travel abroad on a trip not exceeding six months. Registration in the Consular Register will make it possible, if necessary, to receive consular assistance promptly in emergency situations.

Registration in the Consular Register may be possible:

1. using an e-service Electronic registration in consular register;

1. when sent securely   electronic signature sign the application form to the MFA's  e-address or pasts@mfa.gov.lv;
2. in the “Travel Secure” mobile app (for iOS users and for Android users).

At the same time, you can submit information about the people you travel with, accommodation, contacts, insurance, etc.

Latvia has 47 diplomatic and consular missions abroad where it is possible to address if consular assistance is needed. Detailed information on this in which cases Latvian Delegations can help, search the Foreign Ministry's website.

For information on the necessary representation of you, see on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

In emergency situations abroad (lost travel document, severe illness or death, detention, etc.), we call the Consular Department's daily telephone immediately: +371 26337711.

“Travel Secure” mobile application (for iOS users and for Android users) will be useful for anyone who plans to travel in the nearest or further direction abroad. It will help to prepare for trips successfully, alert for potential risks, and indicate where to seek emergency assistance.

The application includes:

1. advice to travellers (on necessary documents, safety, insurance, etc.);
2. risk warnings (on the safety situation abroad, advice for job seekers abroad, information on trafficking in human beings, bogus marriages, transport of narcotics);
3. reminders of the role of the tour planner for the most important tasks in preparation for the journey;
4. Contacts between the Latvian missions and honorary consuls and information on emergency assistance;
5. rapid and convenient communication opportunities with the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia in emergency situations 24/7.

For the journey chosen to be successful and without unpleasant surprises, it is important to know that the tourism operator selected, the tourism agent and/or the provider of related tourism services are:

You have the opportunity to verify electronically and free of charge the data of tourism providers at the Consumer Rights Protection Centre in the database of tourism agents and operators.

If you want to transport a pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) for non-commercial purposes it shall be permitted to do so outside the State within the European Union if the animal has:

1. identification - chip;
2. European Union model passport;
3. valid anti-rabies vaccination;
4. in the case of dogs transported to Ireland, the United Kingdom, Finland, Malta, de-worming against Echinococcus multilocularis.
5. animal must be registered in the single database of the agricultural data centre.

Read more information about the requirements when travelling with an animal in a life situation Registration and welfare of domestic animals.

For more information on animals leaving the country, imports into Latvia and related documentation, you can find:

Food and veterinary services and Agricultural data centre website and information material What you need to know if you travel with your pet.

In the European Union

The transport of goods for human movement and personal consumption between the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) Member States and Andorra, San Marino and Switzerland is neither controlled nor supervised. Since Latvia is part of the Schengen area, the laws and regulations on the movement of goods and persons are not limited.

It should be noted that the regulatory enactments lay down certain groups of goods for which restrictions on movements and import volumes are imposed, such as:

1. tobacco products,
2. alcohol,
3. coffee,
4. non-alcoholic beverages.

In the section of the SRS website Travelling within the EU you may be familiar with the information about these restrictions.

Although the transport of foodstuffs within the EU is not controlled, the general restrictions may relate to the potential risk of diseases where an outbreak of plant or animal disease has occurred in one of the Member States. These are exceptional situations. This means that there are limited movements of man and animals to and from these zones, the transport of products of animal origin.

Outside the European Union

When returning to Latvia from a country outside the EU and leading various goods purchased on the journey, the conditions for moving goods must be observed. It should be remembered that not all purchased goods can be imported into Latvia without paying taxes.

Goods imported into the traveller's personal luggage shall be taxed only in cases where the total quantity of goods allowed is exceeded value or quantity. Taxes shall not be payable if the total value and quantity of the goods per person does not exceed the prescribed amount.

If a person enters Latvia from a country that is not a Member State of the European Union (EU), the goods may be covered by

1. customs duties,
2. value added tax (VAT),
3. excise duty - if excisable goods are imported.
   
   

Payment of payments administered by customs may be made by electronic means,

• using Latvija.lv e-service Making customs payments on-line.

When entering the territory of the European Union from a third or no Member State of the European Union, a private person may not import meat and meat products, milk and dairy products. Authorised quantities of products of other animal origin — fish and fishery products of a total volume of 20 kg, honey, oysters, molluscs, etc. — 2 kg.

In the section of the SRS website Travelling outside the EU information on restrictions on the entry of goods into personal luggage may be obtained.

The restrictions shall apply to:

1. excise goods (alcohol and tobacco products, petroleum products (fuel), non-alcoholic beverages and coffee),
2. food products,
3. transfer of cash,
4. protected wild animals and plants and articles made therefrom,
5. etc.

The volume of goods that may be imported into Latvia without paying taxes on entry by road, water or rail and air transport varies.

On imports of products of animal origin read more in the information material Products of animal origin which are prohibited for personal consumption from entering Latvia from third countries. State Plant Protection Service developed materials for plant seed, flowers, fruit and vegetables not to be imported into the EU from third countries.

Souvenirs made from animals or plants of endangered species

Often during customs controls, travellers returning from exotic countries are exposed to a variety of non-traditional medical products and, for example, souvenirs, corals, snakes in bottles, pitonskin products made from plants and animals of endangered species. Where such goods are carried without appropriate authorisation, they shall be seized.

For the purpose of importing or leaving the State On the 1973 Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Plants the animals, plants or articles thereof listed in the Annexes must be authorised by the relevant national CITES supervisory authority. It must be presented with the animal, plant or article manufactured from it to the customs official at the customs inspection post. Additional information may be received by CITES supervisory authority in Latvia in the management of nature protection. The website of the Nature Conservation Board is available at information on CITES Convention, regulatory enactments and the introduction of the requirements thereof in the European Union and Latvia, as well as information for tourists framework conditions for cases such as banned souvenirs, permits and certificates, controllers and other useful information to be known by the tourist, compiled by the Nature Protection Board information material.

Transportation of medicinal products

If a natural person wishes to import medicinal products into Latvia for personal use, such may be done if the medicinal products are in a specific form of medicinal products in the original packaging, the manufacturer and the country of production thereof shall be identified on the packaging and have a purchase check or equivalent document for them. The amount of imported medicinal products at once may be equivalent to a 6-month course of administration.

A natural person shall not be permitted to import narcotic analgetics, new psychoactive substances and active substances from abroad for personal use.

If the quantity of imported medicinal products for each medicinal product exceeds three units of the packaging of medicinal products, the use of medicinal products shall be justified by a written statement of the person with an indication of the use of medicinal products for personal uses and a statement that the medicinal products are not narcotic analgetics, new psychoactive substances, active substances and that the person assumes responsibility for the use of such medicinal products.

The introduction of anabolic steroids, testosterone, growth hormones or their analogues is justified by a prescription or a document issued by the medical treatment authority.

If you (or your minor children, who have Latvian nationality) plan to stay outside Latvia for more than 6 months, you must notify your residence address to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). This is necessary in order to ensure, if necessary, the possibility of communication between you and the State of Latvia.

In order to notify the address of the place of residence in a foreign state, a person must complete an application for a specific sample or write an application in a free form, indicating the data regarding himself or her minor child (given name, surname, personal identity number) and the address in a foreign state. In order to submit an application, you may:

• open e-service Declaration or designation of residence, fill it in and submit it;

• inscriptions application, secure signatures  electronic signature and send to the OCMA  e-address or to pasts@pmlp.gov.lv;
• on-site at the OCMA.

If, when you are abroad, you have to present documentary evidence regarding work or training, civil status, impunity or other personal information in an institution (court, correspondence department, company, etc.), you may request a statement or a copy of the document in the National Archives of Latvia.

• Information on the course of work, education, notarial activities, etc. can only be found in the archive after the liquidation (reorganisation) of the institution concerned. Where the institution is still in operation or has a successor in rights and obligations in the reorganisation process, the documents shall be kept by the successor in rights and obligations.

1. The judicial documents SHALL be accepted in storage for 15 years after the creation of the documents or the completion of the proceedings.
2. Information regarding civil status (birth, death, marriage registration) shall only be issued for the period up to 1919. Information for the period after 1919 to be requested in the Archives Division of the Department of Justice Dzimtsaraksts or any other family department. If necessary, you can apply for the issuing of a certificate or statement of birth, death and marriage.

To request data from the archive (list of information that you can receive can be found on the National Archives of Latvia website):

1. go to the website section of the Latvian National Archives E-services;
2. choose what you're interested in.
3. authenticate with Latvija.lv the authentication means provided.

You will get an application form in which you will prepare a request for information when you fill out the information windows. Payment for the issuance of archive statements and copies of documents shall be determined in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 857 of 17 September 2013 Price List of Public Charge Services of the National Archives of Latvia and Regulation No 887 of 18 December 2012 Regulations Regarding the Preparation and Issue of the State Fee for the Social Legal Statement of the National Archives of Latvia.

Passport rules

Travel documents

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Before Going to Foreign States

Foreign missions of Latvia

Foreign Delegations in Latvia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

The National Health Service (NHS)

The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC)

The Agricultural Data Center (ADC)

The National Archives of Latvia (NAL)

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA)

Return and relocation to Latvia

Internet shopping

Digital libraries

Nature and environmental protection