Countries › Latvia
Latvia
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
- Borders with Russia and Belarus: don't cross them.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 90 | 100–110 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 50 | 80 | 80 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes A few tolls
No tolls for cars. Entry fee to Jūrmala (seaside resort). Over 3.5 t: electronic vignette.
Low-emission zones
None known for cars and RVs.
Boondocking Tolerated depending on the spot
Free camping tolerated outside protected areas and private land; basic forest sites (LVM) free.
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Warning triangle
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Dipped headlights on in daytime
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter tires required from December 1 to March 1.
Frequently asked questions
- Latvia: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. Borders with Russia and Belarus: don't cross them. International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Latvia: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 90 on rural roads, 100–110 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 80 on motorways.
- Latvia: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- No tolls for cars. Entry fee to Jūrmala (seaside resort). Over 3.5 t: electronic vignette.
- Latvia: are there low emission zones?
- None known for cars and RVs.
- Latvia: is wild camping allowed?
- Tolerated depending on the spot. Free camping tolerated outside protected areas and private land; basic forest sites (LVM) free.
- Latvia: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Warning triangle, First-aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Dipped headlights on in daytime, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter tires required from December 1 to March 1.