Money and duty free for Latvia

Currency and Money

Currency information

In January 2014 Latvia adopted the Euro. 1 Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and shops.

ATM

ATMs are available in towns and cities.

Travellers cheques

Most retailers in Latvia won’t accept traveller's cheques and banks may charge to cash them.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Some banks are open Sat 0900-1300.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency exchange

Bureaux de change are found all over main towns, including inside shops, hotels, post offices and train stations. These tend to close at 1900. The most convenient currency to exchange is the US Dollar.

Latvia duty free

Overview

Latvia is within the European Union. If you are travelling from outside of the EU, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices.

Latvia's duty-free allowance for travellers from EU countries:

If you are over 17 years old, you are free to buy and take goods with you when travelling between EU countries, provided that you have paid tax on these goods and they are for your own use (not for sale). However, if you bring in more than the following, customs officials are likely to question you:

• 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.
• 90L of still wine (60 litres of sparkling wine).
• 110L of beer.
• 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22% or 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.

Beware that each EU country has different rules for travellers under 17 years old. Please check before you travel.

Latvia's duty-free allowance for travellers from non-EU countries:

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Latvia by travellers with a minimum age of 17 years without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each) or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco (air travellers). 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each) or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco (land and sea travellers). You may combine any of these tobacco products provided you do not exceed the total limit.
• 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume or a proportional mix of these products provided the limit is not exceeded.
• Other goods up to the value of €430 for air and sea travellers and €300 for other travellers (reduced to €150 for children under 15).

Banned Imports

Meat, fish and dairy products from outside the EU, narcotics, counterfeit goods, and unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The import of plants and plant products from outside the EU is restricted and, in some cases, prohibited.

There is a ban on the import of the following goods from the Russian Federation into the EU: diamonds, gold, jewelry, cigarettes, cosmetics, seafood (e.g. caviar), spirits (e.g. vodka), shoes, clothing and smartwatches.

Banned Exports

You must obtain a permit from the State Inspection for Heritage Protection to export art and antiques which are more than 50 years old.