Key facts
Latvia is a member state of the European Union located in Northern Europe. There are 4 countries (Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Russian Federation) that Latvia shares its borders with. The official language of Latvia is Latvian. Although English is not the official language, a large number of people in Latvia are fluent English speakers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Latvia was ranked 26th out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Latvia is Euro (EUR). The euro (€) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
Latvian
Banknotes
€5€10€20€50€100€200€500
Latvian
Coins
€1€25c10c20c50c1c2c
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Latvia is 209.12 Mbps and mobile is 142.01 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density When compared to the world average, Latvia has more ATMs.57.87 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration You can buy a SIM card in Latvia without having to register it with your ID or passport.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Latvia. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Latvia will celebrate 14 national public holidays.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | New Year’s DayJaunais Gads | |
| April 7, 2023Moving holiday | Good FridayLielā Piektdiena | |
| April 9, 2023Moving holiday | Easter SundayLieldienas | |
| April 10, 2023Moving holiday | Easter MondayOtrās Lieldienas | |
| May 1, 2023 | Labour DayDarba svētki | |
| May 4, 2023 | Restoration of Independence dayLatvijas Republikas Neatkarības atjaunošanas diena | |
| May 14, 2023Moving holiday | Mother’s dayMātes diena | |
| June 23, 2023 | Midsummer EveLīgo Diena | |
| June 24, 2023 | Midsummer DayJāņi | |
| November 18, 2023 | Proclamation Day of the Republic of LatviaLatvijas Republikas proklamēšanas diena | |
| December 24, 2023 | Christmas EveZiemassvētku vakars | |
| December 25, 2023 | Christmas DayZiemassvētki | |
| December 26, 2023 | St. Stephen’s DayOtrie Ziemassvētki | |
| December 31, 2023 | New Year’s EveVecgada vakars |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Latvia?
There are no Mariott hotels in Latvia.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Latvia.
There are no IHG hotels in Latvia.
There are no Best Western hotels in Latvia.
There are Radisson hotels in Riga.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Latvia.
What fast food chains are present in Latvia?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Latvia.
The KFC chain operates in Latvia.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Latvia.
The Subway chain operates in Latvia.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Latvia.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in Latvia.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Riga?
Weather data for Riga (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Latvia
Sources
- Latvia Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Latvia (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
Individuals below the age of 18 are not permitted to have a tobacco or alcoholic beverage allowance.
Alcohol allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
- 110L of beer
- 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
- 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 4L of wine
- 16L of beer
- 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume
Tobacco allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
Travellers from non-EU countries:
Your tobacco allowance is determined on your form of transportation.
If you are travelling by air:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
If you are NOT travelling by air:
- 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco
Sources
- Travelling within the European Union (State Revenue Service of the Republic of Latvia)
- Travelling outside the European Union (State Revenue Service of the Republic of Latvia)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)