Deep breath. Here's the answer.

US regular-passport holders can visit Latvia as tourists without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 across Schengen under the standard route. Carry a qualifying passport, medical-insurance proof, funds and return-travel evidence. You are exempt from Latvia's travel declaration; EES registration happens at the border and ETIAS applications are not open.

Key facts

For United States passport holders, tourism or short business trips.

You may need a visa if…

• This answer covers ordinary adult regular-passport short tourism. Other passports, work, business, study, residence and special family or dual-national rights need separate advice.
• Under the standard route, previous Schengen visits count toward the shared 90 days in any 180. Crossing an internal border does not reset it.
• Carry valid medical-insurance proof covering your whole stay, emergency care, critical inpatient treatment, transport to treatment and repatriation for serious illness or death. This is an entry requirement for ordinary non-EU visitors, including visa-free tourists.
• Latvia's current Foreign Ministry guidance explicitly covers entry with or without a visa: at least EUR 14 per day for stays up to 30 days; at least EUR 780 for a planned stay over 30 days. Carry resources for your accommodation and departure too.
• The Commission's 1 April 2026 national-reference document quotes an older EUR 700 amount for stays over 30 days. Latvia's current Foreign Ministry page gives EUR 780; use the current destination guidance.
• Carry a return plane ticket and proof of funds: the State Department's Europe-transit guidance specifies both. EU border guidance also allows officials to request tickets and accommodation evidence.
• Carry your passport between Schengen countries; temporary internal border checks can apply. Visa exemption does not guarantee admission.
• Latvia's Foreign Ministry lists US citizens under a bilateral arrangement allowing up to another 90 days in Latvia after the standard Schengen allowance, without first leaving Latvia. Contact the State Border Guard before relying on it. It is not a general Schengen extension; the Ministry sets departure and subsequent re-entry conditions, including a 90-day interval after leaving Schengen.
• The US State Department says Latvia does not accept the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry. This answer covers regular passports.

Before you travel

• ✓Count previous Schengen trips and keep the standard total within 90 days in any 180.
• ✓EU document rules require issue within the previous 10 years and validity for at least 3 months after leaving Schengen. The US State Department additionally specifies 6 months from arrival and 1 blank page per stamp; plan to meet both validity periods.
• ✓Carry valid medical-insurance proof covering your whole stay, emergency care, critical inpatient treatment, transport to treatment and repatriation for serious illness or death. This is an entry requirement for ordinary non-EU visitors, including visa-free tourists.
• ✓Latvia's current Foreign Ministry guidance explicitly covers entry with or without a visa: at least EUR 14 per day for stays up to 30 days; at least EUR 780 for a planned stay over 30 days. Carry resources for your accommodation and departure too.
• ✓Carry a return plane ticket and proof of funds: the State Department's Europe-transit guidance specifies both. EU border guidance also allows officials to request tickets and accommodation evidence.
• ✓Do not submit Latvia's Electronic Travel Declaration for this exempt citizenship. Expect EES at the border; do not apply or pay for ETIAS while applications are closed.
• ✓Follow official security alerts and check route restrictions.
• ✓Contact the State Border Guard before relying on the US–Latvia bilateral option.
• ✓Enroll in STEP for US embassy alerts.

Common questions