New Travel Requirement for Latvia Has Gone Into Effect

Latvia, a Baltic country in Northern Europe, is a longstanding member of the Schengen area. Last April, Latvian authorities announced a new travel requirement that will affect millions of travelers every year.

As of September 1st, 2025, this new requirement has gone into effect.

But what is it exactly? Do you need it for your upcoming trip to Latvia? We're going to share all of that and more.

Many travelers must now register information to go to Latvia

In order to travel to Latvia, many travelers are now required to submit several pieces of information ahead of their trip. The process is entirely online through the official Latvia ETA portal and has to be done at least 48 hours before arrival.

The information you'll need to provide includes:

• The reason you're traveling to Latvia/purpose of your trip.
• Where you will be staying and your travel dates.
• Where you'll be traveling.
• Your contact information.
• Information surrounding whether or not a relative of yours holds an elected position or is running for election.
• Whether or not you are a former state or local government official.
• Whether or not you served in the military, including armed forces, special services, border guard, customs, internal affairs, justice or foreign affairs, and/or diplomatic status.

Some travelers are exempt

While many travelers will need to submit this information before traveling to Latvia, not all travelers will be required to.

Travelers are exempt from Latvia's new ETA requirement if they:

• Are citizens of a European Union country.
• Are citizens of a country in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (this includes the USA and UK).
• Are citizens of a country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (this includes the USA and UK).
• Are citizens of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA).
• Are citizens of the Swiss Confederation.
• Are citizens of the Federal Republic of Brazil.
• Are Latvian citizens.
• Have a valid Latvian residence permit.
• Have a valid visa for Latvia.

If none of the above apply to you, you need to supply your information to visit Latvia.

In addition to that, travelers who are heading to Latvia to perform official functions or give technical support are also exempt, so long as it is on a short-term basis.

Regardless, all travelers should check the official site before traveling to Latvia, just to make sure.

Schengen visa holders are not exempt

If you hold a valid Schengen visa that isn't from Latvia, you may still need to provide information before traveling if Latvia is one of your destinations.

On top of that, it is helpful to know that submitting your information to Latvia doesn't guarantee entry.

Travelers can't submit information on behalf of someone else

If you're required to provide information before traveling to Latvia, you will need to submit the information yourself unless you are a minor or have a real need for assistance. In that case, a guardian or adult, or a duly authorized person, must submit the information on your behalf.

Make sure you carve out enough time to fill out all of the required information since a family member won't be able to do it for you.

This new requirement is to strengthen national security

According to a press release from the Saeima (Latvia's Parliament), the region has seen an "increase in intelligence and hybrid threat risks" following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In response, Latvia has been increasing its migration controls since February 2022. The new ETA requirement is just another way to help keep Latvia secure.

With the data obtained from this new requirement, Latvian authorities hope to be able to identify and prevent risks to both state and public security.

Latvia's ETA isn't ETIAS

If you've heard of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), you may be wondering if ETA is the same thing as ETIAS, or a branch of it.

The answer is no. Latvia's ETA is not the same thing as ETIAS.

ETIAS is a requirement for the entire Schengen area, and it is expected to launch in Q4 of 2026.

Latvia's ETA (not to be confused with the UK's ETA) is solely for entry into Latvia.

FAQs about Latvia's ETA Requirement