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Source: European Union/Re-open EU

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.

vaccination-benefits 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.

vaccination-benefits 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


SOURCE: The SRS National Customs Board

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






Remarks from the International Road Transport Union

04.12.2020

The Latvian State Revenue Service informed that this week the number of vehicles waiting for border crossing at Terekhova customs office has dramatically increased. Yesterday morning at 8:00, 330 trucks were waiting for exit to Russia, while there were only 10 vehicles waiting at Grebnevo customs office. The increase is mainly due to the fact that more and more carriers from Lithuania choose the route through Latvia. Also, the seasonal deliveries have an impact on the traffic. To avoid long queues, the State Revenue Service of Latvia recommends to use Grebnevo customs office. Please be reminded that the TIR procedure can be used at the Grebnevo-Ubylinka checkpoint.

Source: Latvijas Auto

                                                                                                    

12.10.2020

Starting from 12 October every person entering Latvia must fill in an electronic questionnaire (available here:www.covidpass.lv), they will then receive a QR code to show to customs.Until 12 October, those entering Latvia will be required to fill in a paper questionnaire.

Filling in the questionnaire is mandatory for all visitors and must be completed no less than 48 hours prior to entering Latvia.

The person must indicate their name, surname, personal code for Latvian citizens (social insurance number – for other citizens), contact telephone number, address of actual place of residence where the person is available, as well as name of the country (including date of departure) where the person has been during the last 14 days before arriving in Latvia, etc.

Each adult person must fill in a separate questionnaire, the questionnaires of minors are filled out by their parent or legal guardian.

Once the questionnaire is completed, the person who arrives on the territory of Latvia will receive a QR code confirming the submission of data. If you lose the QR code, a function on the home page will be available where you can enter your email address and receive the QR code again.

The obtained data will be transmitted to the authorities, namely: State Police, State Border Guard and the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Personal data will be stored for 30 days in order to use the information received for epidemiological safety and contact tracing. After 30 days, personal data will be automatically deleted.

The Traveller Registration Control Information System (IECIS), which will further serve as an electronic self-declaration system (confirmation questionnaire) for persons arriving or returning to Latvia from foreign countries, have been developed by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with State Police, State Border Guard and Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

More information: https://www.mk.gov.lv/en/aktualitates/october-12-when-crossing-border-republic-latvia-electronic-questionnaire-will-have-be

Source: Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia

                                                                                                    

24.09.2020

Over the past few days longer queues have been observed at the border crossing point between Terekhovo (LVA) and Burachki (RUS).

More traffic and ongoing reconstruction works have led to a waiting time of up to 20 hours to cross the borders.

Transport operators are kindly requested to take this information into consideration and use nearby border crossing points, particularly between Grebnevo (LVA) and Ubylinka (RUS). Queues are minimal and TIR carnets can be used to enter Russia at this crossing point.

 

Source: Latvijas Auto, State Revenue Service of Latvia

                                                                                                    

30.06.2020

The State of Emergency ended in Latvia on June 9.  However, borders are only open to residents of Latvia, other EU Member States, countries in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, that hold proper residency documentation. The Government of Latvia is monitoring the rates of COVID-19 in these countries and passenger from countries with more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

As of 9 June, face masks are mandatory on public transport.  International passenger transport operations cannot be performed to countries listed by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The transport of workers that is specifically carried out so that they can fulfil their work duties is exempted from this provision.

From 10 June, movements of people to and from countries at risk is banned; road transport workers are exempt from this provision, as well as from quarantine requirements upon entry into Latvia.

Borders with Russia and Belarus remain closed for all international passenger travel.

Source: Latvian Government

                                                                                                    

15.05.2020

International passenger transport between the Baltic States is authorised from 15 May. The government decided to authorise the resumption of international passenger transport by air, sea, bus and rail from and to Lithuania and Estonia.

International passenger transport to other destinations will still require the permission of the Minister for Transport, based on a case-by-case basis.

Latvian nationals and permanent residents, as well as foreigners who have not visited other countries in the last 14 days, except Lithuania or Estonia, as well as Lithuanian and Estonian nationals who cross Latvia in transit, do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation. Persons who transit through Latvia do not have to spend 14 days in self-isolation either.

Amendments to the Order provide that persons who have arrived in Latvia from abroad, except Estonia and Lithuania, may only use public transport if they have self-isolated and they must cover their mouth and nose within the public transport network.

More detailed information can be found on the official website here.

Source: LATVIJAS AUTO

                                                                                                    

18.04.2020

On 27 March, the Latvian government notified a set of relaxations on driving and rest times rules, which apply until 25 April and are as follows:

-       Art. 6.1: increase of the maximum daily driving time from 9 hours to 11 hours

-       Art. 6.2: increase of the maximum weekly driving time from 56 hours to 60 hours

-       Art. 6.3: increase of the maximum fortnightly driving time from 90 hours to 96 hours

-       Art 7: the driver shall have an uninterrupted break of at least forty-five minutes if he does not take a rest period after five and a half hours of driving

-       Art. 8: a regular weekly rest period of 45 hours may be reduced to 24 hours without the requirement of compensation.

Source: ITF

                                                                                                       

22.03.2020

From 18 March 2020, people entering Latvia will have to fill out the following application forms and submit them to the State Border Service:

  • Form for Latvian citizens and persons permanently residing in Latvia (holders of permanent/temporary residence permits and long-term "D" visas, provided they were issued in the Republic of Latvia).
    The form is available in LatvianRussian and English.
  • Form for Lithuanian and Estonian citizens and residents (holders of permanent/temporary residence permits and long-term "D" visas, provided they were issued in Lithuania or Estonia), returning to Lithuania or Estonia.
    By signing the form, the person “undertakes not to visit publicly available spaces”. Parkings and refuelling station are not concerned by these measures.
    The form is available in Russian and English.
  • Form for all freight carriers (including foreigners transiting through Latvia), by which the person “undertakes not to visit publicly available spaces”. Parkings and refuelling station are not concerned by these measures.
    The form is available in LatvianRussian and English.

Source: Latvian Ministry of Transport

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