Latvia
About Latvia
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Latvian, with Russian widely spoken |
| Capital | Riga |
The Republic of Latvia is a small country bordering the Baltic Sea in Eastern Europe. Latvia shares borders with Estonia, Russia, Lithuania, and Belarus. The government is a parliamentary republic, and its 2.2 million people are led by a president serving as head of state and a prime minister serving as head of government. Members of Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, are elected by direct vote every four years, and the Saeima subsequently elects the president.
Latvia was founded in November 1918, following a two-century period in which it was part of the Russian Empire. This period of independence was interrupted in 1940 when Latvia was forcibly occupied by the Soviet Union. Except for a brief period of German occupation between 1941 and 1944, Latvia remained a part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. Latvia subsequently joined NATO and the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2014. Today, Latvia’s economy is open, and the majority of companies, banks, and real estate entities have been privatized.
The capital city of Riga has successfully transitioned from the Soviet era and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the largest collection of art nouveau buildings in the world. Riga has an active nightlife, but travellers looking for a more relaxed pace could visit the town of Sigulda to explore its castles and beer halls. During the summer, the resorts on the Baltic coast offer the opportunity to relax, while nature lovers may prefer a trip to Gauja National Park to the east.
Recommended Vaccinations For Latvia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine
BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated people, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine
Travellers who plan to visit Latvia, especially the province of Kurzeme, during early spring to late autumn and hike or camp in rural or forested areas that provide a habitat for the ticks that carry the virus should consider obtaining this vaccine.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) and who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Recommended Medications For Latvia
There are no recommendations for Latvia at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Latvia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Latvia through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Latvia.
For Some Travellers
Measles
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis occurs in Latvia. Travellers to Latvia are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in Latvia. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
**There is a risk of Tick-borne Encephalitis in all areas of this country. The main affected areas are in the province of Kurzeme. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.**
Safety & Security in Latvia
Personal Safety
Latvia ranks as one of the safer European countries for visitors. Violent crime targeting tourists remains rare, and the 2024 Global Peace Index places Latvia 27th out of 163 countries worldwide. Petty theft like pickpocketing happens mainly in crowded tourist spots, particularly in Riga’s Old Town, the Central Market, and around the main train and bus stations. Thieves often work in groups. Keep bags secure and avoid displaying expensive items. Some bars and nightclubs have been reported to overcharge tourists dramatically, sometimes using intimidation to enforce payment. Check prices before ordering drinks and avoid following strangers into unfamiliar venues. Credit card fraud occurs at some establishments, especially late at night. Keep cards visible during transactions and never sign blank receipts. ATMs inside banks offer more security than street machines. Drink spiking has been reported in bars and nightclubs. Never leave drinks unattended. Bicycle theft happens regularly, so always lock bikes properly. The 2km border zone with Belarus requires special permission to enter. Overall crime rates have declined since 2015, with street crimes dropping 15% between 2020 and 2024.
Extreme Violence
Latvia maintains a low terrorism threat level with no recent history of attacks. While European security services note general terrorism risks across the continent, Latvia faces minimal direct exposure. The homicide rate stood at 4.05 per 100,000 people in 2022, the lowest since 2014 and down from 5.18 in 2021. This rate remains the highest in the EU but sits below the global average of 6.2. Violent crime against tourists occurs infrequently. The country does face issues with organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking, particularly synthetic drugs and excise fraud. Eastern European criminal groups with Baltic and Russian connections operate in money laundering, cannabis, cocaine, and human trafficking for labor exploitation. However, these activities rarely impact visitors. Domestic violence poses a significant concern, with Latvia recording the EU’s highest proportion of female homicide victims at 60% compared to the EU average of 37%. Latvia recorded 67 murder victims total in 2024, with firearms used in eight cases. Police enforce strict drug possession laws with long sentences and heavy fines. The government maintains a public alert system for terrorism concerns. Bar altercations sometimes turn violent, particularly involving drunk patrons.
Political Unrest
Latvia experiences a stable political environment with peaceful transitions of power. The country elected its first openly gay head of state in 2023, making history in the EU. Demonstrations occur occasionally, typically related to economic issues, labor disputes, or politically significant dates. Recent protests have focused on teacher salaries, domestic violence protections related to the Istanbul Convention, and solidarity with neighboring countries facing political crises. Latvians historically participate in large commemorative events like the annual remembrance of independence movements, but these remain peaceful. In 2024, several small protests took place over government policies, including debates about defense conscription and civil union legislation. The government allows freedom of assembly. Police maintain order at public gatherings. Protests around the Freedom Monument in Riga typically last a few hours with advance notice provided. Traffic disruptions may occur during demonstrations. The country showed strong support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, holding daily protests at the Russian embassy in early 2022. Latvia also imposed sanctions on Georgian officials following crackdowns on protesters there. Overall, political violence remains absent, and civil society functions openly. Visitors should simply avoid areas where demonstrations occur and monitor local media for updates on planned gatherings.
Areas To Avoid
No areas in Latvia require complete avoidance, but certain neighborhoods warrant increased awareness. The Moscow District (Maskavas forštate) in Riga has slightly elevated petty crime rates compared to other areas, though conditions have improved since 2020. The Kengarags neighborhood also sees marginally higher incidents. Both areas see little violent crime, with theft being the primary concern. Around Riga Central Station after dark, travelers should stay alert for pickpockets and occasional intoxicated individuals. The Central Market area attracts thieves targeting distracted shoppers. These locations remain manageable with basic precautions during daylight hours. Rural areas present different challenges. Some smaller roads suffer from poor maintenance and lack proper lighting. Remote zones may have limited emergency services access. The 2km zone along the Belarus border has restricted access requiring special permits from the Latvian Border Guard. The Silene-Urbani road crossing stays closed, and other checkpoints may implement restrictions on short notice. Old Town Riga sees tourist scams, particularly at night. Some establishments use aggressive tactics to overcharge visitors. Parks and routes to major hotels can attract opportunistic thieves. Overall, Latvia has no dangerous ghettos or neighborhoods where personal safety faces serious threats. Crime distributes relatively evenly across the country. Most areas allow safe exploration with standard urban awareness.
