In Latvia standard European Union entry and customs regulations apply. In touristic case, there is no need for residence register up to 90 days. There are specific limits of goods carry. They must be only for personal use, that means we can carry no more than specified:

• 800 cigarettes
• 200 cigars
• 1kg of tobacco
• 10 litres of spirit alcohol
• 20 litres of wine with increased alcohol volume (e.g. porto, sherry)
• 90 litres of wine (including max. 60 litres of fizzy wine)
• 110 litres of beer

That also means that buying goods must not be with further intention to sell them, excluding the case of a gift.

Moreover, since Latvia entered EU, it is not possible to get VAT tax refund of goods bought in a member state.

It is recommended to obtain European Card of Health Insurance, as well as a private health insurance. 

When having a general health insurance from the owner’s country of origin, it should be possible to use Latvian health care only in cases of emergency.

The summer season is normally intensive, therefore the most comfortable time to visit Latvia would be May or the period between September and October. That way it is possible to avoid the highest tourist traffic.

October is not the most attractive month because of relatively low temperature. Winter normally occurs up till the half of March.

By own car – through Lithuania
By plane – direct flights to Riga are available
By train – international connections are available every day

What languages are spoken in Latvia?
Apart from Latvian, it is possible to speak Russian and English.

Using a car above 3,5 tons is paid and requires a vignette

Using lights is mandatory throughout whole year

It is mandatory to have winter tires since 1th December to 1th March

Mandatory equipment inside of the car is:
a reflective vest
a medpack
a warning triangle
an extinguisher
the tread of the tire must be minimum 1,6mm (summer tires)
and 4 mm (winter tires)

112  1888

Restoration of independence Commemoration of communism victims The convocation of the constitutional assembly; Labour Day Announcement of independence declaration

Līgo Day Jāņi (summer solstice) Commemoration of Latvian freedom fighters (Lāčplēsis) proclamation of Latvian Republic – Independence Day

New Year (Jaunais Gads) Holy Friday (Lielā Piektdiena) Easter (Lieldienas) Easter Monday (2. Lieldienas)

Christmas (Ziemassvētki) Second day of Christmas (2. Ziemassvētki) New Year’s Eve (Vecgada vakars)