Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Latvia, you are subject to its laws.  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.  Persons violating Latvia’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Latvia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  If you break local laws in Latvia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. 

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still be illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws.  Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. 

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not.  To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: As of January 1, 2014, Latvia replaced its currency, the Lat, with the Euro.  Currently, only euros are accepted.  Bank and currency exchange counters may refuse to accept U.S. currency that is crumpled, torn, discolored, or defaced (even small pen strokes are considered defacing). If such notes are accepted for exchange, an additional processing fee, based on the size of the transaction, may be charged.  ATMs are widely available in Riga and in major towns.  For security purposes, it is recommended that visitors use ATMs located inside major hotels or shopping malls, versus those located on the street, in high-volume tourist areas.

Telephone connections with the United States are reliable; however, U.S. toll-free numbers cannot be accessed from Latvia.  Please check with your long-distance carrier before departure to see if they offer service in Latvia.  Local Internet cafes offer computer access, and fax machines are widely available at any Latvian Post office.

Latvian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Latvia of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment, drugs, etc.  It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Latvia in Washington or one of the Latvian consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION:  If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on private relations of same-sex individuals or the organization of public events related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Latvia.  In 2013 Mozaika, an NGO that promotes LGBT rights, received 19 reports of LGBT rights violations, which ranged from verbal and physical attacks to discrimination at work and bullying in schools.  Non-governmental organizations complained of widespread intolerance and underreporting of such attacks and discrimination to authorities.  For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Latvia, you may review the State Department’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2013.

Between June 15 and June 21 of 2015 Riga will host the EuroPride 2015 festival.

For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.  

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Latvia individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different than in the United States. The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and other state services, and the government generally enforces these provisions.  The law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, most buildings are not yet accessible.

Although Latvia has made efforts to improve disabled access, only new and completely renovated hotels, guest houses, hostels, and public buildings provide suitable facilities for seriously disabled travelers.  Easy-access public transportation and taxis are rare.

Accessibility of foot paths and road crossings is improving but, in most places, still fails to meet the legal standards.  The Old City has mostly cobblestone streets which can be difficult for those with disabilities.  Snow and ice are common on sidewalks during winter months and can be hazardous.  Free or reduced fares of public transportation are available only to persons with disabilities who are Latvian residents.