🇱🇻 Latvia
How the 90/180 rule applies to Latvia, plus the tools you'll want before you go.
Joined Schengen
2007
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Riga
Calling code
+371
What counts toward your 90 days
Every day spent in Latvia counts toward the same Schengen-wide 90-day allowance. Days in Latvia are added to days in any of the other 28 Schengen countries when calculating the rolling 180-day window.
Entry and exit days both count as full days.
If you hold a Latvia national long-stay visa or residence permit, the 90/180 rule does not limit your stay in Latvia itself, but it does still cap your time in the rest of Schengen.
Nomading in Latvia, specifically
US, UK, and Australian passports get you 90 days visa-free in Latvia. Most others need a Schengen visa beforehand.
Who walks in visa-free and who doesn't
Latvia, as part of the Schengen Area, lets citizens from many countries waltz in for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes folks from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. If your passport isn't on the visa-exempt list, you'll need to apply for a Schengen visa through a Latvian embassy or consulate before you travel. Don't expect a stamp on entry or exit for visa-free travel; that's mostly a thing of the past for Schengen. Keep in mind that ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will become mandatory for visa-exempt travellers in 2025. It's a pre-travel online authorisation, not a visa, but it’s another hoop to jump through.
Playing by the 90/180 rules in Latvia
The 90/180 day rule is the big one for short stays. You can be in Latvia (and the wider Schengen zone) for a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Overstaying this is a fast track to fines and entry bans. Latvia doesn't typically stamp passports on land border crossings for Schengen nationals, but it’s always wise to keep your own records. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you'll need to look into a long-stay visa or a residence permit, which is a different process entirely and requires applying from your home country or country of legal residence before arriving. This isn't something you sort out on arrival.
Where remote workers actually settle and spend
Most remote workers I’ve encountered gravitate towards Riga, the capital. It’s got the best infrastructure, a decent co-working scene, and a lively old town. For a quieter vibe, Liepāja on the coast is a growing option, though smaller. Budget-wise, you’re looking at around €900 to €1,500 per month for a solo remote worker, excluding flights. This covers a modest apartment rental outside the absolute city centre, food, and some leisure. Internet speeds are generally excellent, especially in Riga, easily hitting 100 Mbps or more in most urban areas. Card payments are ubiquitous; cash is rarely needed for day-to-day expenses.