Which nationalities must submit the ETA for Latvia?

All foreign nationals who hold neither a Latvian visa nor a Latvian residence permit, except citizens of the 52 exempt countries: European Union, NATO, OECD and European Economic Area states, as well as Switzerland, Andorra, Brazil, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. Those concerned include nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Peru, Ukraine, Georgia and Serbia.

When must the ETA be submitted?

No later than 48 hours before entering Latvia. A declaration sent the day before departure does not meet this deadline. With Visamundi, you can send us your application in advance: we submit it on time.

How much does the Latvian ETA cost?

The official declaration does not require any payment: there are no consular fees. If you entrust the process to Visamundi, only our service fees apply.

Is the ETA an entry permit?

No. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the declaration is not an entry permit and does not guarantee access to the country. You must still meet the Schengen Area entry requirements: a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a visa.

Do I need an ETA just to transit through Latvia?

Yes. The requirement also applies to travellers who are only passing through Latvia, unless they are exempt.

I hold a Schengen visa or residence permit issued by another country: am I exempt?

No. Only visas and residence permits issued by Latvia exempt you from the declaration. A Schengen visa or residence permit issued by another member state is not enough.

Can I change my declaration after submitting it?

No, corrections are not possible. If your dates, itinerary or accommodation change, you must submit a new declaration. The 48-hour deadline does not apply to this new submission.

Who fills in the declaration for a child?

Each traveller submits their own declaration. For a minor, it is submitted by the parents, the guardian or a duly authorised person.

What happens if I travel without an ETA?

According to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, failing to submit the declaration, or providing incomplete or false information, makes the traveller administratively liable.

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Information updated on November 5, 2026 by our production team

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ETA

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Since 1 September 2025, Latvia has required an electronic travel declaration, the ETA, from nationals of many countries. It is completed online no later than 48 hours before entering the country, transit included. Citizens of 52 countries are exempt, including those of the European Union; other travellers must submit it, even if they hold a visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen country. Here is who is concerned and how to go about it.

01 · Key facts

The Latvian ETA at a glance

Since 1 September 2025

The declaration is mandatory for non-exempt travellers. It is now based on Article 12 of the Latvian Immigration Law, in force since 15 September 2026.

48 hours before

The declaration must be submitted no later than 48 hours before entering Latvia, for every trip.

Free

The official portal does not require any payment.

The Latvian ETA is an online form. The information provided feeds into the Latvian state's threat prevention information system. The State Police, the State Border Guard and the security services can consult it.

After submitting, you receive a confirmation by email, followed by a second registration notification 48 hours later. There is no decision to wait for: the declaration is registered, not assessed.

An ETA does not replace a visa

According to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the declaration is not an entry permit. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you must still obtain one. The ETA is an obligation on top of the usual entry requirements.

02 · Eligibility

Who must complete the ETA, and who is exempt?

The declaration applies to any foreign national who holds neither a visa nor a residence permit issued by Latvia, unless they are from one of the exempt countries. It also applies when simply transiting through Latvia.

Exempt category	Details
Nationals of 52 countries	European Union, NATO, OECD and European Economic Area states, as well as Switzerland, Andorra, Brazil, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. These include Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Holders of a Latvian visa or residence permit	Only documents issued by Latvia.
Diplomats and official missions	Persons enjoying diplomatic immunity, and persons coming briefly, transit included, for an official function or technical support at a diplomatic or consular mission or an international organisation.

Source: Latvian Immigration Law, Article 12, and Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Good to know

The list of exempt countries is not set out by name in the law: it follows from membership of the EU, NATO, the OECD and the EEA. If a country joins one of these organisations, its nationals become exempt.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mentions specific cases: non-citizens of Estonia are exempt, but Russian citizens are not, even if they hold a residence permit or EU long-term resident status in Estonia. Some stateless persons are also exempt, depending on the country that granted them this status.

A Schengen visa or residence permit from another country does not exempt you

A Chinese, Indian, Moroccan or South African traveller who holds a Schengen visa issued by another country, or who lives in another European Union state, must submit the ETA before entering Latvia. Only Latvian visas and residence permits provide an exemption.

03 · The procedure

How to submit the Latvian ETA, step by step

1
Check whether you are concerned
Check your nationality against the list of exempt countries, and which country issued your visa or residence permit.
2
Gather the information
Passport, dates and place of stay, itinerary, contact details, and answers about any elected, public or military positions.
3
Complete the declaration online
No later than 48 hours before entering Latvia. The form is in English or Latvian.
Visamundi handles it· €39 incl. VAT
4
Receive the confirmations
An email confirms submission, then a registration notification arrives 48 hours later. Keep them for your trip.

Practical tip

The portal works with Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. It does not work in in-app browsers (for example, a link opened from Telegram): open it in your usual browser.

04 · The form

The information requested

What you will need to provide

Your identity and passportFor the Schengen Area, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure.
The purpose of the trip
Planned dates and place of stay
Travel itinerary
Your contact details
Elected positions held by you or your relatives, and any candidacy for election
Your current or past status as a state or local government official
Your current or past service in the armed forces, special services, border guard, customs, or the interior, justice or foreign affairs services

No supporting documents need to be uploaded: the declaration is based on the information you enter. Answer accurately, as an incomplete or false declaration makes you administratively liable.

Safety

Travel advisories for Latvia

The vigilance level recommended by five foreign ministries, on a shared scale.

Average level

1Normal precautions

No specific threat reported by the ministries.

US Department of StateAdvice dated April 1, 2026
Normal precautions · Latvia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Read the advice
Global Affairs CanadaAdvice dated October 14, 2026
Normal precautions · Latvia — Exercise normal security precautions
Read the advice
German Federal Foreign OfficeAdvice dated October 13, 2026
Normal precautions · Latvia: Travel and Security Information
Read the advice
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Advice dated August 11, 2026
Normal precautions · Latvia travel advice
Read the advice
France DiplomatieAdvice dated October 26, 2026
Normal precautions · Latvia: Travel Advice
Read the advice

Levels published by the ministries cited, reproduced unchanged. Visamundi is a private agency with no ties to these administrations.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Customs

Customs allowances

Alcohol: Aged 17 or over, arriving from outside the EU : 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of drinks under 22% (or a proportional mix), plus 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer.
Arriving from another EU country, guide levels for personal use : 10 l of spirits, 20 l under 22%, 90 l of wine, 110 l of beer.
The allowance applies to one entry per 48 hours.
Tobacco: Aged 17 or over, arriving from outside the EU : 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco (or a proportional mix).
Arriving from another EU country, guide levels : 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars or 1 kg of tobacco.
The allowance applies to one entry per 48 hours.
Currency: Euros and foreign currency : no restrictions when travelling between EU countries.
Arriving from or leaving for a non-EU country, amounts of EUR 10,000 or more (including cheques and banker's drafts) must be declared.
Medicines: Medicinal products sufficient for personal needs are allowed.

Allowances are given for guidance only and may change. Above these thresholds, a customs declaration is required on arrival.

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