Latvia

22.07.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Unessential travel from a very high-risk countries is not allowed. Unessential entry from a high-risk countries is allowed only for vaccinated/recovered persons. 

More information on entry restrictions and security measures here: Overview of entry restrictions and security measures | Covid-19 (covid19.gov.lv) 

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form at Covidpass.lv. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border. 

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Travellers can enter Latvia without being subject to additional restrictions if their EUDCC contains one of the following:

• a certificate of vaccination. The full vaccination course is reached 15 days after the second doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, or 15 days after the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.
• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19
• a pre-departure negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival 
• a pre-departure negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before boarding the carrier’s vehicle or entering Latvia

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirements above.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

From 12 July 2021 to 1 September 2021, persons entering the Republic of Latvia by land through border crossing points: Grebņeva, Terehova, Pāternieki, or Silene who do not possess an inter-operational EU certificate of vaccination, testing or recovery; or other valid document issued from a European Union Member State or European Economic Area country; the Swiss Confederation; or the United Kingdom must immediately take a COVID-19 test at their own expense at the above-mentioned border crossing point.

This requirement does not apply to:

• children under 12 years of age;
• staff of diplomatic and consular missions, international organisation and their representations accredited in Latvia and their family members;
• persons arriving in Latvia at the invitation from the President of Latvia, the Saeima, the Cabinet of Ministers or members thereof, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the State Audit Office or a ministry;
• Latvian or foreign diplomatic couriers or ad hoc diplomatic couriers who present an official document specifying their status and the number of packages constituting their diplomatic pouch; 
• holders of the diplomatic passport of the Republic of Latvia, technical staff accompanying them, officials and employees of the diplomatic and consular service in the performance of their official duties. 

Travellers from EU/EEA countries can enter Latvia by presenting one of the following:

• a certificate of vaccination. The full vaccination course is reached 15 days after the second doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, or 15 days after the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.
• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19
• a pre-departure negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival
• a pre-departure negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before boarding the carrier’s vehicle or entering Latvia

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirements above.

Documents must be provided in English, French, Russian, or in an official language of the country from which travellers are beginning their trip to Latvia.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

Persons entering Latvia to perform their job duties or travelling to or from their place of work, and employees of transport companies, are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement.

Data on the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the EU and third countries is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

• Vaccinated persons and persons recovered from Covid-19 do not have to get tested for Covid-19 prior to travel unless they are travelling to a particularly high-risk country with a very high incidence or spread of a new strain of Covid-19. It is not required to get tested when returning unless the person has been in a particularly high-risk country;
• Other travellers are required to get tested before traveling from any country. When returning from a high-risk or particularly high-risk third country, getting tested for Covid-19 is obligatory.

Is a coronavirus test required?

Non-vaccinated or non-recovered travellers entering Latvia will be asked to show proof of a negative PCR test performed no earlier than 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test performed no earlier than 48 hours before boarding or crossing the Latvian border. If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), he will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result must be in English, French, Russian or in an official language of the country of departure.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and Police officers.

After entering Latvia, an additional Covid-19 test must be taken at the nearest point of testing. Children and vaccinated persons are also subject to this obligation.

Is a quarantine required?

Self-isolation is required:

• Persons who have not been vaccinated or have not had Covid-19 and recovered from it should observe self-isolation when returning from high-risk countries (EU, EEA, Switzerland, United Kingdom and other countries);
• All travellers entering from a high-risk country (including the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) with a very high incidence or prevalence of a new Covid-19 strain. More information on this are available on the website of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Self-isolation is not required:

• Persons who can provide proof with an EU digital certificate (via smart device or printed) or a certificate issued in the EU, EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, stating that the person has received full vaccination (i.e. 15 days have elapsed since the completion of a full vaccination course) and what vaccine he/she were vaccinated with (exemption from self-isolation only applies to vaccines registered by the European Medicines Agency or equivalent regulators or recognised by the World Health Organisation);
• Persons who have had Covid-19 in the last 6 months and have recovered from it and can provide proof with an EU digital certificate (via smart device or printed) or a certificate issued in the EU, EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom;
• Children under 13 years of age (until 1 September 2021 - also other minors) travelling with adults who are exempt from the requirement of self-isolation. However, in such cases, children do not make close contacts with persons outside their household, do not attend public events, children's groups, do not use public transport for 10 days after leaving the high-risk country.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the Border Guard or the Police.

Find out more:

Overview of entry restrictions and security measures | Covid-19 (covid19.gov.lv)
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19 oficiālā valsts mājaslapa | covid19 Latvija
Latvia Travel
Ekonomikas ministrija (em.gov.lv)

May I transit this country?

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit. Persons crossing Latvia in transit must leave Latvia within 12 hours from the submission of the certification questionnaire on the Covidpass.lv.

Partially

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit. Persons crossing Latvia in transit must leave Latvia within 12 hours from the submission of the certification questionnaire on the Covidpass.lv.

General measures

All the measures that are currently in place in Latvia can be found at Covid-19 control measures (in English, Latvian and Russian).

Use of facemasks

• Using face masks outdoor is not obligatory
• Face masks must be used in all indoor places, where there is more than 1 person. Wearing a face mask is not obligatory for children under 7 years of age or for people who have difficulty wearing a mask due to medical reasons, for example, due to functional impairments.
• Face masks are mandatory in public transport and in educational institutions.
• The face mask may not be used indoors, outdoors, in private or public events where vaccinated people or people recovered from Covid-19 gather. 

Physical Distancing

People must respect 2 metres physical distancing (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces). Physical distancing is not applied to members of the same household.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

Public events

Persons who are vaccinated, recovered from Covid-19, or tested:

• Are allowed to attend events subject to the requirements to use face masks, distancing and personalized seating.
• A public indoor event can take place for up to 4 hours, gathering up to 500 people.
• A public outdoor event can take place without a time limit, gathering up to 1000 people.
  Parents may attend events together with their children who have not been vaccinated and haven’t recovered from Covid-19 if the children are under the age of 13, no Covid-19 tests will be required in these cases.

Persons that are not vaccinated, recovered from Covid-19, or tested:

• Public indoor and outdoor events are not allowed

Private events

Persons who are vaccinated, recovered from Covid-19, or tested:

• Are allowed to gather indoors for up to 500 people, outdoors for up to 1000 people.

Persons that are not vaccinated, recovered from Covid-19, or tested:

• are allowed to gather indoors for up to 20 people
• are allowed to gather outdoors for up to 50 people (also marches and pickets follow this category)

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of face masks is mandatory in public transport (as well as in taxis) for everyone over the age of 7.  The number of passengers in a public transport vehicle must not exceed 65% of its capacity. Outside the destinations of regional traffic routes, the number of passengers in a vehicle may not exceed 75% of its capacity.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

http://www.liaa.gov.lv

Useful Info for tourists

Before starting your journey, please check visa requirements for your destination at: The Schengen visa

EU Digital COVID Certificates

This country is already connected to the Gateway and is issuing and/or verifying at least one EU Digital COVID Certificate (Vaccination, Recovery, Test)

Information on "EU Digital COVID Certificates" issued in Latvia

_________

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation entered into force on 01 July 2021. EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate. 

The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from Covid-19, or test result. Despite the European Digital COVID Certificate, each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what is required to enter upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your destination. 

Find out more: 

Information on the "EU Digital COVID Certificate" 

Press Release 

Questions & Answers 

Factsheet 

Further information: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/LVA/7011

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

18.06.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Travellers can enter Latvia without being subject to additional restrictions if their EUDCC contains one of the following:

• a certificate of vaccination. The full vaccination course is reached 15 days after the second doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, or 15 days after the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19

• a pre-departure negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirements above.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form at Covidpass.lv. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Latvia adopts its own national classification of risk areas.

Travellers from EU/EEA countries can enter Latvia by presenting one of the following:

• a certificate of vaccination. The full vaccination course is reached 15 days after the second doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, or 15 days after the single dose of the Janssen vaccine.

• a certificate of recovery from COVID-19

• a pre-departure negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirements above.

Documents must be provided in English, French, Russian, or in an official language of the country from which travellers are beginning their trip to Latvia.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

Persons entering Latvia to perform their job duties or travelling to or from their place of work, and employees of transport companies, are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement.

Data on the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the EU and third countries is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form at Covidpass.lv. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All travellers arriving from outside the EU+ area or the United Kingdom are subject to double test and mandatory isolation.

Is a coronavirus test required?

Travellers entering Latvia will be asked to show proof of a negative PCR test performed no earlier than 72 hours before boarding or crossing the Latvian border. If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), he will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result must be in English, French, Russian or in an official language of the country of departure.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and Police officers.

After entering Latvia, an additional Covid-19 test must be taken at the nearest point of testing. Children and vaccinated persons are also subject to this obligation.

Is a quarantine required?

In the case of negative result to the COVID-19 test performed in Latvia, 10-day self-isolation at the traveller's residence or tourism accommodation is mandatory.

If the test result is positive, or if it is not performed at all, the person must notify it at Covidpass.lv and undergo 10-day isolation at a freely selected Latvian tourist accommodation that is suitable for the reception of Covid-19 patients, and in which all the necessary safety protocols are in place (list of allowed tourist accommodation).

If the test result is positive, the tourism service provider must ensure the transport of the concerned traveller(s) to the tourist accommodation for isolation, and must inform the Police in case the traveller leaves the tourist accommodation during the isolation period.

The isolation may be avoided or interrupted if a person can prove that he or she has been ill with Covid-19, has recovered and is not infectious.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the Border Guard or the Police.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel
Ekonomikas ministrija (em.gov.lv)

May I transit this country?

PARTIALLY

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit. Persons crossing Latvia in transit must leave Latvia within 12 hours from the submission of the certification questionnaire on the Covidpass.lv.

General measures

All the measures that are currently in place in Latvia can be found at Covid-19 control measures (in English, Latvian and Russian).

Use of facemasks

In indoor spaces outside the household, a face mask must be worn if there is more than one person in the room.
Face masks are mandatory in public transport and in educational institutions.

Children under 7 years of age are exempted from the obligation.

Physical Distancing

People must respect 2 metres physical distancing (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces). Physical distancing is not applied to members of the same household.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

Public events

Public events are not allowed. From 15 June, public events will be possible for people who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.

Private events

Up to 10 people from two households can meet indoors.

Up to 20 people can meet outdoors (with no household restriction).

From 15 June, a relaxation of these measures is planned for people who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

http://www.liaa.gov.lv

EU Digital COVID Certificates

THIS COUNTRY IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE GATEWAY AND IS ISSUING AND/OR VERIFYING AT LEAST ONE EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE (VACCINATION, RECOVERY, TEST)

Information on "EU Digital COVID Certificates" issued in Latvia

_________

The "EU Digital COVID Certificate" (available from 1 July 2021) provides proof that a person has either:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19 (vaccine type and manufacturer, number of doses, date of vaccination);
• received a negative test result, PCR or rapid antigen, with the name of the test, date and time of test, test centre and result (self-tests are not valid);
• recovered from COVID-19.

When travelling, holders of the "EU Digital COVID Certificate" will have the same rights as citizens of the visited Member State who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered.

The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from COVID or test result. Each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what you will be eligible for, upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your country of destination.

How does it work:

1. Member States issue a certificate automatically or upon request, which is issued either digitally or on paper, and has a QR code with an electronic signature;
2. Citizens store the certificate in their digital app or wallet and can use it when they travel;
3. When the verifier asks the citizen for the certificate, the QR code is shown and the digital signature is verified.

Find out more:
Information on the "EU Digital COVID Certificate"

Press Release
Questions & Answers
Factsheet

06.05.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

No

Latvia adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Latvia are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

From 11 February, only essential travel to Latvia is permitted. Entry to Latvia from EU Member States, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation is permitted for the following urgent and essential reasons only:

• work;
• training, studies;
• family reunion;
• in order to receive medical services;
• transit;
• accompanying a minor;
• return to one's permanent place of residence;
• attending a funeral.

Is a coronavirus test required?

All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Accepted test: molecular (PCR)

Children aged 11 and under are exempted.

Travellers who have already contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus will need to show a doctor's note attesting it.

If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), or a note from the doctor, the traveller will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result or the note from the doctor must be in English, French, Russian, or in an official language of the country from which they are beginning their trip to Latvia.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and police officers.

Persons entering Latvia to perform their job duties or travelling to or from their place of work, and employees of commercial transport companies are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement.

Is a quarantine required?

All passengers arriving from countries in which the 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has exceeded the threshold of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants must complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

Data on the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the EU and third countries is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Particular groups of persons (for example, health and social workers, teachers) who intend to work in Latvia have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police. It will not be possible to complete registration with the covidpass.lv website without entering a self-certification that any of the above-mentioned reasons exist.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All travellers arriving from outside the EU+ area or the United Kingdom are subject to double test and mandatory isolation.

Is a coronavirus test required?

Travellers entering Latvia will be asked to show proof of a negative PCR test performed no earlier than 72 hours before boarding or crossing the Latvian border. If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), he will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result must be in English, French, Russian or in an official language of the country of departure.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and Police officers.

After entering Latvia, an additional Covid-19 test must be taken at the nearest point of testing. Children and vaccinated persons are also subject to this obligation.

Is a quarantine required?

In the case of negative result to the COVID-19 test performed in Latvia, 10-day self-isolation at the traveller's residence or tourism accommodation is mandatory.

If the test result is positive, or if it is not performed at all, the person must notify it at Covidpass.lv and undergo 10-day isolation at a freely selected Latvian tourist accommodation that is suitable for the reception of Covid-19 patients, and in which all the necessary safety protocols are in place (list of allowed tourist accommodation).

If the test result is positive, the tourism service provider must ensure the transport of the concerned traveller(s) to the tourist accommodation for isolation, and must inform the Police in case the traveller leaves the tourist accommodation during the isolation period.

The isolation may be avoided or interrupted if a person can prove that he or she has been ill with Covid-19, has recovered and is not infectious.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the Border Guard or the Police.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel
Ekonomikas ministrija (em.gov.lv)

May I transit this country?

Partially

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit. Persons crossing Latvia in transit must leave Latvia within 12 hours from the submission of the certification questionnaire on the Covidpass.lv.

General measures

All the measures that are currently in place in Latvia can be found at Covid-19 control measures (in English, Latvian and Russian).

Use of facemasks

In indoor spaces outside the household, a face mask must be worn if there is more than one person in the room.
Face masks are mandatory in public transport and in educational institutions.

Children under 7 years of age are exempted from the obligation.

Physical Distancing

People must respect 2 metres physical distancing (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces). Physical distancing is not applied to members of the same household.

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/LVA/7001

31.03.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

NO

Latvia adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Latvia are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

From 11 February, only essential travel to Latvia is permitted. Entry to Latvia from EU Member States, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation is permitted for the following urgent and essential reasons only:

• work;
• training, studies;
• family reunion;
• in order to receive medical services;
• transit;
• accompanying a minor;
• return to one's permanent place of residence;
• attending a funeral.

Is a coronavirus test required?

All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Accepted test: molecular (PCR)

Children aged 11 and under are exempted.

Travellers who have already contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus will need to show a doctor's note attesting it.

If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), or a note from the doctor, the traveller will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result or the note from the doctor must be in English, French, Russian, or in an official language of the country from which they are beginning their trip to Latvia.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and police officers.

Exemptions:

Persons entering Latvia to perform their job duties or travelling to or from their place of work, and employees of commercial transport companies are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement.

 Provisions for vaccinated people

Travellers who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 test (a certificate of vaccination is needed).

Is a quarantine required?

All passengers arriving from countries in which the 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has exceeded the threshold of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants must complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

Data on the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the EU and third countries is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Particular groups of persons (for example, health and social workers, teachers) who intend to work in Latvia have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police. It will not be possible to complete registration with the covidpass.lv website without entering a self-certification that any of the above-mentioned reasons exist.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

Documents you need to travel in Europe

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All travellers arriving from outside the EU+ area or the United Kingdom are subject to double test and mandatory isolation.

Is a coronavirus test required?

Travellers entering Latvia will be asked to show proof of a negative PCR test performed no earlier than 72 hours before boarding or crossing the Latvian border. If a traveller is unable to show a test result (printed or on an electronic device), he will not be allowed to board the plane, train, bus, ferry, or other means of transportation. The test result must be in English, French, Russian or in an official language of the country of departure.

This requirement also applies to those arriving in Latvia in a personal vehicle.

The negative COVID-19 test results must be indicated in the Covidpass.lv form, which will be checked by the State Border Guard and Police officers.

After entering Latvia, an additional Covid-19 test must be taken at the nearest point of testing. Children and vaccinated persons are also subject to this obligation.

Is a quarantine required?

In the case of negative result to the COVID-19 test performed in Latvia, 10-day self-isolation at the traveller's residence or tourism accommodation is mandatory.

If the test result is positive, or if it is not performed at all, the person must notify it at Covidpass.lv and undergo 10-day isolation at a freely selected Latvian tourist accommodation that is suitable for the reception of Covid-19 patients, and in which all the necessary safety protocols are in place (list of allowed tourist accommodation).

If the test result is positive, the tourism service provider must ensure the transport of the concerned traveller(s) to the tourist accommodation for isolation, and must inform the Police in case the traveller leaves the tourist accommodation during the isolation period.

The isolation may be avoided or interrupted if a person can prove that he or she has been ill with Covid-19, has recovered and is not infectious.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

Documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the Border Guard or the Police.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel
Ekonomikas ministrija (em.gov.lv)

May I transit this country?

PARTIALLY

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit. Persons crossing Latvia in transit must leave Latvia within 12 hours from the submission of the certification questionnaire on the Covidpass.lv.

General measures

All the measures that are currently in place in Latvia can be found at Covid-19 control measures (in English, Latvian and Russian).

Health cover for temporary stays

Use of facemasks

In indoor spaces outside the household, a face mask must be worn if there is more than one person in the room.
Face masks are mandatory in public transport and in educational institutions.

Children under 7 years of age are exempted from the obligation.

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/LVA/7001

26.01.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

No

Latvia adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Latvia are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Is a coronavirus test required?

YES. All international travellers arriving by passenger carrier or by private transport are required to present a negative PCR test.
Travel by a passenger carrier: the test has to be presented to the carrier prior to boarding the vehicle.
Travel by private transport: a negative test must be indicated on the Covidpass form. This will be checked by the State Border Guard and the State Police.

Provisions for vaccinated people

Travellers who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are exempted from providing a negative COVID-19 test (a certificate of vaccination is needed).

Coronavirus test details

Only PCR tests are accepted.

• The test must be performed no earlier than 72 hours before boarding the carrier’s vehicle, or crossing the Latvian border individually;
• The test must be recognised in the country of departure;
• In case a negative test is not provided to the carrier (either printed form or in electronic format), boarding will be denied;
• The test result or certificate may be written in English, French, German, Russian or, in the case of using a carrier service, also in the language of the country from where an individual travels to Latvia.
• If the certificate is presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police when entering Latvia from Estonia or Lithuania, it may also be provided in Lithuanian or Estonian.

Children under the age of 11, passenger carrier staff, sailors travelling for work, transit passengers who do not leave the airport control area, and members of the diplomatic corps are exempted from doing the test. Tests will not be required for those who live near the border and cross it daily for work or education.

Is a quarantine required?

YES for travellers, including citizens and permanent residents of Latvia, arriving from countries in which the 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has exceeded the threshold rate of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Data on the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the EU and third countries is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Quarantine duration

10 days. Particular groups of persons (for example, health and social workers, teachers) who intend to work in Latvia have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Other

People who have developed COVID-19 recently (up to three months) must show a medical certificate that they are no longer infectious.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

All travellers must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the Covidpass.lv website. Electronic confirmation must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the Latvian border.

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Citizens from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand, as well as people with permanent residence status in those countries, can travel to Latvia. The entry from other third-countries, China and administrative territories of Hong Kong and Macao is allowed only for essential purposes and exceptions.

All international travellers arriving by passenger carrier or by private transport are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arriving in Latvia. When travelling to Latvia by passenger carrier, the test has to be presented to the carrier prior to boarding the vehicle. When travelling to Latvia by private transport, a negative test will have to be indicated with a special mark on the Covidpass form. This will be checked by the State Border Guard and the State Police.

Children under the age of 11, passenger carrier staff, sailors travelling for work, transit passengers who do not leave the airport control area, and members of the diplomatic corps are exempted from doing the test. Tests will also not be required for those who live near the border and cross it daily for work or education.

People who have developed COVID-19 recently (up to three months) will need to show a doctor’s certificate that they are not infectious.

Provisions for vaccinated people

Travellers who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are exempted from providing a negative PCR test (a certificate of vaccination is needed).

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Prior to the arrival in the Republic of Latvia, a person who enters the country by using services of international carriers must confirm in writing that, upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the statement, the person must indicate his or her name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and the address of the actual place of residence where the person can be reached, as well as the countries and dates of departure in which the person has stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia.

Electronic questionnaires are accessible from any smart device and it is possible to complete them on a special website covidpass.lv/en.

After filling in the form, the traveller will receive a QR code which is assigned to them personally and which also confirms that the information they submitted on the electronic questionnaire was received. In case the QR code is lost, the traveller can go back to the website and retrieve their QR code again by clicking on the “Receive QR Code” function and entering their e-mail address.

The data indicated in the questionnaire is automatically transferred to law enforcement authorities – the State Police (VP), the State Border Guard (VRS) – and the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC). Personal data will be stored for 30 days for the sake of epidemiological safety and so that travellers can be contacted. After 30 days, personal data will be automatically deleted.

May I transit this country?

Yes

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit.

Find out more:
Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
covid19.gov.lv
Latvia Travel

Documents you need to travel in Europe

A curfew is in place from 22:00 to 5:00 during the weekends (the night hours from 22.00 to 5.00 from Friday to Saturday and from Saturday to Sunday). For urgent reasons to move, the ID card or passport and a specific form must be presented to controlling authorities.

During the weekends, the working hours of shops and services is limited to 21:00.

Find out more: https://covid19.gov.lv/en/majsede

Health cover for temporary stays

Use of facemasks

It is mandatory to wear a face mask:

1. in all indoor spaces where there is more than 1 person, except within households;
2. in public transport (the only exceptions are children under the age of 7 and disabled people (with movement disorders or mental health problems impeding to wear the mask)

Physical Distancing

People must respect 2 metres physical distancing (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces). Physical distancing is not applied to family members and members living in the same household.

15.12.2020

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

PARTIALLY

Entry Restrictions

Citizens from EU Member States plus Schengen Associated countries, as well as people with permanent residence status in those countries, can enter Latvia withour additional restrictions, if the 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants is below 50. 

Epidemiological data is updated every Friday on the website of Latvia's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. If the country is marked in red or yellow, all travellers, including citizens and permanent residents of Latvia, who have arrived from these countries, must quarantine for a period of 10 days.

If the 14-day cumulative incidence rate of COVID-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants exceeds twice the average value for the EU/EEA and the UK, all direct international passenger transport is prohibited and non-essential travel not recommended. 

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Prior to the arrival in the Republic of Latvia, a person who enters the country by using services of international carriers must confirm in writing that, upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the statement the person must indicate his or her name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and the address of the actual place of residence where the person can be reached, as well as the countries and dates of departure in which the person has stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia.

Electronic questionnaires are accessible from any smart device and it is possible to complete them on a special website covidpass.lv/en.

After filling in the form, the traveller will receive a QR code which is assigned to them personally and which also confirms that the information they submitted on the electronic questionnaire was received. In case the QR code is lost, the traveller can go back to the website and retrieve their QR code again by clicking on the “Receive QR Code” function and entering their e-mail address.

The data indicated in the questionnaire is automatically transferred to law enforcement authorities – the State Police (VP), the State Border Guard (VRS) – and the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC). Personal data will be stored for 30 days for the sake of epidemiological safety and so that travellers can be contacted. After 30 days, personal data will be automatically deleted.

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entry Restrictions

Citizens from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand, as well as people with permanent residence status in those countries, can travel to Latvia. The entry from other third-countries, China and administrative territories of Hong Kong and Macao is allowed only for essential purposes and exceptions.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Prior to the arrival in the Republic of Latvia, a person who enters the country by using services of international carriers must confirm in writing that, upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the statement the person must indicate his or her name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and the address of the actual place of residence where the person can be reached, as well as the countries and dates of departure in which the person has stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia.

Electronic questionnaires are accessible from any smart device and it is possible to complete them on a special website covidpass.lv/en.

After filling in the form, the traveller will receive a QR code which is assigned to them personally and which also confirms that the information they submitted on the electronic questionnaire was received. In case the QR code is lost, the traveller can go back to the website and retrieve their QR code again by clicking on the “Receive QR Code” function and entering their e-mail address.

The data indicated in the questionnaire is automatically transferred to law enforcement authorities – the State Police (VP), the State Border Guard (VRS) – and the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC). Personal data will be stored for 30 days for the sake of epidemiological safety and so that travellers can be contacted. After 30 days, personal data will be automatically deleted.

May I transit this country?

YES

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Quarantine does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit.

Find out more:

Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://covid19.gov.lv/en

Documents you need to travel in Europe

15.09.2020

Travelling to Latvia

Entry is allowed to foreigners transiting through the territory of Latvia on their return to their country of residence. Self-isolation does not apply to persons who cross the territory in transit.

An updated list of countries for which entry to Latvia is restricted is available on the Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Countries marked as red or yellow have registered infections above the allowed threshold.

Travelling from Latvia or returning to Latvia
Travelling to countries with COVID-19 incidence rates above 25 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a 14-day cumulative period is not recommended.

You must self-isolate if you enter Latvia or return from a country which is subject to special precautionary and restrictive measures due to a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The list of affected countries can be found on the website of the Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Rules and Exceptions

Citizens from EU+ and persons lawfully residing in these countries are allowed to enter Latvia, provided that the incidence of COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) in their country of origin has not exceeded 16 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days.

A list of countries for mandatory 14-day isolation upon arrival is periodically updated.

All travellers, including citizens and permanent residents of Latvia, who have arrived from countries in which the 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has exceeded 16 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, must self-isolate for a 14-day period upon arrival in Latvia.

Mandatory Travel Documentation
Prior to the arrival in the Republic of Latvia, a person who enters the country by using services of international carriers must confirm in writing that, upon arrival in Latvia, the epidemiological safety measures established in the country will be observed. In the statement the person must indicate his or her name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and the address of the actual place of residence where the person can be reached, as well as the countries and dates of departure in which the person has stayed during the last 14 days before the arrival in Latvia.

Links to national sources

Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
https://covid19.gov.lv/en
Driving abroad

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/LVA

21.04.2020

Emergency situation declared throughout national territory 

Suspension of international transit of passengers through airports and ports, by bus and rail, except for the travel of passengers by State aircraft and military transport. Prohibition of the movement of passengers and vehicles through border crossing points at airports and ports, on road and railway lines at the external border of the European Union, as well as through the border crossing points intended for local border traffic, with the exception of the carriage of goods.

Start date: 17.03.2020

End date: 12.05.2020

Further information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet of Ministers.