Is It Safe to Travel to Latvia in 2026?
Latvia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south.
Is It Safe to Travel to Latvia in 2026?
Latvia is currently rated Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. Department of State. Latvia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans and visit the CDC website for the latest Travel Health Information for Latvia. It is highly recommended to buy travel insurance before traveling.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers should remain vigilant in crowded tourist areas where petty crime can occur, particularly in urban centers like Riga.
Business travelers may face minor disruptions due to occasional bureaucratic delays, but overall infrastructure is reliable in major cities.
Families with children can enjoy a safe environment, but should be cautious about healthcare access in rural areas where pediatric services may be limited.
Remote workers can find good connectivity in urban areas, but should avoid rural regions where internet access may be inconsistent.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Latvia.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Latvia has an overall threat severity of 0.8 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 3.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 88/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Latvian
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Latvia
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Latvia?
▶Is it safe to travel to Latvia right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Latvia?
▶What vaccines do I need for Latvia?
▶Is Latvia safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Latvia?
More Latvia Data
Free — 88/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.