Latest News: Latvian government lifts quarantine requirement for vaccinated travelers; negative COVID-19 test still mandatory (Schengen Visa Info, 19.05.2021).

International Restrictions:

*From within the EU:

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

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, including fully vaccinated people, 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?

Travellers 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.

Fully vaccinated people from the EU, Schengen Associated Countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not subject to the self-isolation requirement. The full vaccination course is reached 15 days after both doses of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines (or a single dose of the Janssen vaccine).

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

Health cover for temporary stays *Transit: 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. *From Third Countries:

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)

*Travel in Latvia: There has been a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Latvia in recent weeks. The Latvian government announced on 5 February 2021 that the State of Emergency will be extended to 6 April 2021. This includes restrictions on the opening of catering, retail, entertainment and leisure establishments and limits on the number of people allowed to gather at private and public events both indoors and outdoors. See the Latvian government’s COVID-19 website for full details.

Face masks must be worn:

• On public transport;

• In taxis by passengers and by the driver, if a special barrier, such as a separating wall, is not installed;

• At bus stations, railway stations, ports, and airports;

• In shops, pharmacies, post offices, petrol stations, and other indoor points of sale;

• In open air markets;

• In museums, libraries, exhibition halls, concert halls, cinemas and similar places;

• In churches;

• In any other public place;

• In workplaces;

• When providing and receiving services;

• When attending events where personalised, fixed seating is required.

• In medical institutions.

The using of a face mask does not substitute social distancing and disinfection requirements. Wearing a face mask is not obligatory for:

• children under 13 years of age, except on public transport where it must be worn by anyone of 7 years of age and above;

• anyone with certain medical conditions, for example, if a person has difficulty wearing a mask due to a movement disorder or if the person has a mental health disorder.

From 20 November 2020, the fine for not wearing a face mask when required is 50 Euros.