Latvia travel advice

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu in Latvia. There are currently no quarantine or medical screening processes on entry to Latvia. You can check for updates on the website: http://www.sva.gov.lv/en/ (in English). You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase is at Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There has been an increased number of reports recently of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks in bars in Riga and fraudulent transactions being debited against credit cards. We have noted a rise in reports of street crime. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 92,000 British tourists (Source: Latvian State Statistics Board) visited Latvia in 2008. Most visits to Latvia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Latvia in 2008 were for replacing lost or stolen passports; and dealing with arrests or detentions.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Press reports and notifications to the Embassy have shown an increase in the cases of petty theft and robbery. When walking you should be alert to the threat of pickpocketing and other forms of theft. Always avoid unlit streets and parks at night, and be extra vigilant if walking alone.

There have also been reports of drinks being spiked in some establishments. Visitors are advised to not leave drinks unattended when in bars.

A marked increase in the number of reports of foreign tourists being charged extortionate prices for drinks or having fraudulent transactions debited against credit/debit cards has been noted. In some cases tourists have been assaulted or forced to withdraw money from a cash point to pay for the bill. You can help avoid situations like this by:

• Checking the price of drinks before ordering, consulting a price list where possible

• Determining whether a "cover" charge is made for entry

• Being careful when ordering drinks for new acquaintances, which may be exorbitantly priced.

• Being aware that many tourists report being overcharged or falling victim to credit card after being lured into bars/clubs.

• Paying for one round at a time.

It is also recommended that you seek recommendations for bars and clubs from trustworthy sources like your hotel or other holidaymakers. An internet search of sites such as travel forums, should reveal good and bad feedback on individual bars and clubs. When paying by credit/debit card ensure the transaction is completed in your presence and be wary of attempts to make you re-enter your pin number. More advice on how to enjoy a safe trip to Riga can be found on the British Embassy in Riga’s website at http://ukinlatvia.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice/responsible-tourism-visiting.

If you feel that you have fallen victim you should insist on calling the Tourist Hotline on ++371 22033000.

Taxis

For reasons of safety and economy, you are advised to use a major taxi company such as Rigas Taksometru Parks (8000 13 13). They are generally able to tell you the type, colour and number of the car in advance. If you do pick up a taxi on the street or at the airport please ensure that you only use official registered vehicles. Such vehicles display yellow license plates. Even when using official taxis it is advisable to determine the price of the journey before starting your journey as reports have been received of some taxis using meters which have been adapted to clock up higher rates. Some taxis operating from Riga airport can charge highly inflated prices.

Car theft is rife. Wherever possible use guarded car parks and keep valuables out of sight.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Latvia Country Profile

Road Travel

Drivers should carry original vehicle registration documents, when crossing the border into Latvia (including for motorcycles). Those who do not have these documents will not be allowed to take their vehicle back out of Latvia.

In 2007 there were 419 road deaths in Latvia (source DfT). This equates to at a rate of 18.4 per 100,000 of population, compared to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007. Drivers should not attempt to move a vehicle, which has been involved in an accident, even if it is blocking the road, until the police give permission. In winter, equip your car for severe conditions.

Do not drink and drive. The legal limit is 0.5%. Those found over the limit face a fine and immediate imprisonment.

Winter tyres are required between 1 December and 1 March. Local law states that drivers must use their headlights at all times, including during daylight hours.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Latvia. For more details about this see Airline Security

Local laws and customs

You should not become involved with drugs. Possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy pre-trial detention and possible custodial sentences.

The consumption of alcoholic drinks in public is prohibited. Drinking in public may lead to detention and a financial penalty.

For identification purposes, you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times. If possible your passport and other important documents should be left in hotel safes.

Travellers should be aware that on the spot fines will be imposed if found travelling without a ticket or a ticket which has not been validated. Tickets can be brought from the driver or from shops/kiosks but must be validated by using machines sited within the bus/tram.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

It is the responsibility of all British nationals to ensure that they meet the requirements of Latvian immigration laws.

British Citizen passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. British passport holders, whose nationality is shown as anything other than a British Citizen must contact the nearest Latvian Embassy to determine whether a visa is required for entry to Latvia.

Passport validity

As a consequence of Latvia having become a member of the Schengen zone all passports should have a minimum of three months validity on entry.

Health Insurance

You are required to have health insurance on entering Latvia. Those who require visas for Latvia need to show policies upon arrival in Latvia.

Health

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Latvian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.

The Latvian State Infectology Centre has reported an increased number of Hepatitis A cases being admitted to hospital. As a precaution it is recommended that visitors be vaccinated against hepatitis A before arrival. Visitors should ensure that they follow general hygiene and sanitary measures to minimise the possibility of infection.

The incidence of mumps is on the increase and rabies is common. Tick-borne encephalitis is also common to Latvia, especially in the summer months.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 10,000 adults aged 15 or over in Latvia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Latvia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Latvia. There are currently no quarantine or medical screening processes on entry to Latvia. You can check for updates on the website: http://www.sva.gov.lv/en/ (in English). You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/csr/diseases/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check the Swine Flu page of the FCO website for further information.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. You are required to have health insurance on entering Latvia. Those who require visas for Latvia need to show policies upon arrival in Latvia. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Issuing replacement passports

The British Embassy is unable to issue any form of travel document other than emergency passports. This passport allows holders to return to the United Kingdom (via a third country if necessary) but cannot be used for onward travel to other countries. For more details please go to: http://ukinlatvia.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/lost-or-stolen-passports. UK passport applications from British Nationals resident in Latvia are handled by the British Passport Processing Centre in Düsseldorf, Germany. For more details please go to http://ukingermany.fco.gov.uk/en/passports/welcome.

Travelling to Latvia in winter

You should bring warm clothing if you intend to travel to Latvia in the winter (October to March). There is likely to be snow on the ground and temperatures may drop to or below -25 degrees Celsius or below.

Customs Regulations

Travellers entering the UK from European Union countries do not normally pay any UK tax or duty on excise goods they have bought tax and duty paid in EU countries for own use. But there are special rules for cigarettes and some other tobacco products from some EU countries.

The UK is maintaining limits on the amount of cigarettes and some tobacco products that travellers are able to bring in to the UK for own use from nine European Union Member States (including Latvia), without paying UK duty.

The limits are:

Estonia - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco.

Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - 200 cigarettes.

Anyone who is carrying more than the limits should pay UK duty on those goods by entering the Customs red channel or by using the red point telephone. If travellers enter the Customs blue channel with more than the limits, then all of their tobacco may be seized.

Money

Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.

All major credit cards are accepted and there are plenty of ATM machines for withdrawing local currency using Cirrus and credit cards.