Latvia now requires people from outside the European Union (EU) who do not have a visa or residence permit to give personal and travel details 48 hours before they enter the country.
The government warned that this is due to growing security concerns in the region. If travelers do not follow the rule, they could face fines of up to €2,000 and may not be allowed near certain border areas.
New border rules take effect in September
On April 3rd, the Latvian Parliament passed new laws on immigration and border security. Travelers from countries outside the EU, NATO, OECD, and other partner nations must now submit detailed information 48 hours before entering Latvia.
This information includes:
- Purpose of travel
- Length and location of stay
- Planned travel route
- Contact information
- Status or service in public office or armed forces (self or relatives)
Anyone who does not provide this information, or gives false details, could be fined up to €2,000.
Border area access now includes clearance
Latvia is also tightening access to its border areas. People from outside the EU and partner countries now need a special permit from the State Security Service to enter these zones.
These permits will not last long—current passes with set dates will expire two months after the new law starts. Under the updated State Border Law, anyone 15 or older must have either a permanent or temporary pass to be in these areas.
Who is affected—and who is not
The new rule only applies to people from outside partner countries who do not have a Latvian visa or residence permit. Travelers from friendly countries who have not been checked by Latvian authorities will face more screening.
Latvia is especially focused on citizens of Russia and Belarus.
The law does not apply to:
- People with diplomatic immunity
- Individuals on short-term official visits
- Those providing technical support on official business
National security risks prompt action
The Saeima’s National Security Committee proposed the changes in response to concerns that Russia and Belarus could use citizens from allied countries to spy or stir unrest in Latvia and the EU.
Officials stated that the new law is meant to prevent problems, not just react to known threats. Some EU and Schengen countries, like Hungary, have looser security checks.
As a result, people who may be a threat could legally enter Latvia through those countries without being screened.
“Foreigners who have been issued residence permits by Latvia have been vetted,” the amendment authors explained. However, discrepancies in security checks across Europe mean Latvia must act independently to protect its borders.
Annual review ensures ongoing relevance
The new rules include a yearly review. Latvia’s national security agencies must assess whether the rules are still needed and report back to the Saeima.
Based on the findings, the laws could be changed or removed.
For now, the law will stay in effect at least until the end of 2027, while Latvia works on improving its border infrastructure.
Rising hybrid threats fuel policy shift
Latvia introduced these changes in response to rising security threats after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Over the past three years, the government has tightened border controls to address both military and information-based threats.
This new law is part of a wider effort in Eastern Europe, where countries on the front lines of NATO and the EU are strengthening defenses against tactics like spies posing as travelers.
Travelers face new layers of scrutiny
Latvia’s new entry rules put more pressure on travelers from non-EU countries, whether they are visiting short-term, relocating, or just passing through. The rules apply to those without a Latvian visa or residence permit, but the impact could go beyond Latvia.
Travelers who previously crossed Schengen borders with ease may now face tougher paperwork.
Short-term visitors, including those just transiting through Latvia, must now submit personal and travel details 48 hours before arrival. This includes information like political and military ties, making last-minute travel harder and more intrusive.
Long-term migrants may also face delays or extra checks when moving to Latvia.
If other EU countries adopt similar rules, immigration across the region could become more complicated and inconsistent. People arriving for work, study, or to join family might have to go through more checks at several borders.
These changes come as the EU prepares to launch the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2026. ETIAS will require visa-free travelers from over 60 non-EU countries to get approval before entering the Schengen Area.
Latvia’s new law adds another layer to this system, offering extra checks at the national level. Together, these efforts show a shift toward screening travelers before they even reach the EU.
Border management shifts toward preemptive control
Latvia’s new laws show a shift in how EU countries manage their borders. Instead of waiting to act at the border, Latvia now screens travelers from non-EU countries before they arrive.
By asking for detailed information in advance, Latvia is moving border checks into the digital space.
This reflects a larger trend in EU immigration policy, where security takes priority. The Latvian Parliament’s decision shows a push for more national control within the Schengen system.
While Schengen allows free movement, it also lets countries bring back border checks during high-risk periods—and Latvia is using that option.
Other countries, especially those near Russia or Belarus, may follow Latvia’s lead. This could lead to a mix of different border rules across the EU, where each country sets its own limits based on its location and security concerns.
In the long run, this could affect how people move around Europe. What used to be a unified border system might turn into a network of separate national checks, each responding to its own idea of risk.
A new era of border vigilance in Latvia
Latvia’s new border rules show a clear move toward stricter security and tighter control over migration. Travelers who do not follow the rules could face fines of up to €2,000 and closer checks by the State Security Service.
These changes respond to rising tensions in the region and shift how much personal information people must share. At Europe’s eastern border, Latvia is drawing a firm line—putting national security and government oversight ahead of privacy.