What private persons should know crossing the state border of the republic of Latvia

 

Along with Latvia joining the European Union (EU), it is necessary to distinguish between the imported goods that originate from European countries from imported goods that originate from non-European countries. Council Regulation 913/83 setting up a Community system of reliefs from custom duty defines EU customs duty reliefs.

Documents

 

To enter into the Republic of Latvia the following documents are required:
- passport or identification card  (identification cards as travel documents accepted only for citizens of EU, European Economic Zone and Switzerland)
- visa or residential permit (except citizens from the countries with whom Latvia has a non-visa agreement)
- health and life insurance (except for those holding diplomatic passports, members of foreign delegations, those who have received a permanent residential permit for staying in Latvia, foreign sailors who have been signed off ship and are on their way home and other exceptions according to Latvia's international agreements)
Procedure at the border crossing points
All visitors should stop at border crossings unless instructed otherwise by border police. Usually all that is required is a simple check of a person's identity but it might also involve inspection of valid travel documents, inspection of a vehicle and its documentation and examination of luggage.

Countries whose citizens may enter Latvia without a visa

 

Duration of stay in Latvia without entry visa – 90 days every six months, from the first day of entry.

EU "white list" countries

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia,

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia,

Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, The Holy See, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

EU member states

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

EEA member states

 Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway

Third-country nationals who are family members of an EU, EEA, or the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter - "Union") national and are holders of a valid residence permit of a family member of a Union's national issued by a Union's member state can enter Latvia without a visa and stay in the country for a period up to 90 days, counting from the first day of entry.  

Persons, who use as a travel document:

                               United Nations passport

                               European Commission passport

                               Vatican passport

may enter Latvia without entry visa and stay for 90 days every six months, from the first day of entry

Countries, whose holders of diplomatic or service passports may enter Latvia without a visa and stay for 90 days every six months, from the first day of entry

                               Armenia
for diplomatic and service/official passports holders

                               Turkey
for diplomatic, service/official and special passports holders

                               Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
for diplomatic passports holders

                               Ukraine*
for diplomatic passports holders

                               Russia
for diplomatic passports holders

                               Peru
for diplomatic and special passports holders

      * visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders is governed by inter-governmental agreement on mutual travel of citizens.