Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Latvia?
No. US citizens do not need a visa to visit Latvia for tourism or business. Latvia is a full Schengen Area member, so US passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen 90/180 rule.
From Q4 2026, travelers will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) pre-travel authorization. This is not a visa — it costs €7 and is valid for 3 years.
How Long Can Americans Stay in Latvia?
Up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. Latvia joined Schengen on December 21, 2007.
Key rules:
- The 90-day limit is shared across ALL 27 Schengen countries — not per country
- The 180-day window rolls backward from any given date
- Entry and exit days both count as full days
- Leaving Schengen and re-entering does not reset the counter
Practical example: If you spent 45 days in Spain, then 20 days in Germany, you'd have 25 Schengen days remaining. You couldn't spend a full 90 days in Latvia on top of that.
Entry Requirements for Latvia
- Valid US passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond planned Schengen departure (6 months recommended)
- Proof of sufficient funds: ~€56/day per Latvian Border Guard guidance
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel insurance: Strongly recommended; some border officials may request evidence
- ETIAS authorization (from Q4 2026)
Latvia-Specific Gotchas for US Travelers
Schengen days, not Latvia days: Any days spent in other Schengen countries count against your 90-day allowance. If you arrive in Riga after 3 weeks in Germany, you have 69 days remaining, not 90.
The 90/180 rule spans 27 countries: All Schengen members share the same allowance: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
EU membership + Euro: Latvia is a full EU member and uses the Euro (€). No currency exchange needed if you're coming from the Eurozone. Standard US credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) widely accepted.
Cash declaration: You must declare €10,000 or more in cash when crossing into or out of the EU. This applies at Riga Airport (RIX) for arrivals from the US.
Riga Airport (RIX): Latvia's main international airport. Direct US connections are limited — most travelers connect via Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Helsinki (HEL), or Vienna (VIE). airBaltic offers good regional connections.
Baltic border travel: Latvia shares borders with Estonia (north), Lithuania (south), Belarus (east), and Russia (east). The Estonian and Lithuanian borders are Schengen-free. The Belarus and Russia borders are external Schengen borders with strict controls. The US State Department advises against travel to Belarus border regions.
Driving near Belarus/Russia borders: Latvia's eastern regions (Latgale) near Belarus and Russia have military activity advisories in certain areas. Check travel.state.gov before planning eastern Latvia travel.
Riga Old Town UNESCO status: The Historic Centre of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval architecture and Art Nouveau buildings — Latvia has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. The old town is very walkable and tourist-friendly.
FAQs
Is Latvia part of the EU and Schengen?
Yes to both. Latvia joined the European Union in 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007. It also uses the Euro as of 2014. US citizens get visa-free entry under the Schengen agreement.
Can I take a day trip from Latvia to Estonia or Lithuania without passport checks?
Yes. Latvia's borders with both Estonia and Lithuania are internal Schengen borders — no passport control, no stamps. The Baltic capitals (Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius) are popular as a combined trip. Note: days in all three countries count toward your shared 90-day allowance.
What about crossing into Russia or Belarus from Latvia?
Latvia's borders with Russia and Belarus are external Schengen borders. The US State Department advises against travel to Belarus. Russian entry requires a separate Russian visa — there is no visa-free entry for US citizens at this time.
Can I extend my stay in Latvia beyond 90 days?
Not under the visa waiver. To stay longer, you'd need a Latvian Type D long-stay visa or temporary residence permit, arranged before your 90 days expire. Contact the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) or your nearest Latvian embassy.
Is Riga easy to visit as a short city break?
Very much so. Riga International Airport (RIX) is well-connected to European hubs. The old town is compact and walkable. English is widely spoken among younger Latvians and in the hospitality industry. The city is significantly more affordable than Western European capitals.
Last verified: February 20, 2026 from U.S. Department of State — Latvia Country Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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