Being aware of its responsibility to control the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of passengers, employees and partners, Riga Airport has implemented a comprehensive epidemiological safety programme #ForbidTheVirusFromTravelling. It provides a set of measures for the protection of the Airport and Airport employees and the safe handling of passengers in order to minimize the risks of the spread of COVID-19. In developing the programme, the Airport has consulted with Latvian health authorities and taken into account the recommendations of international aviation organizations.
New procedures for entry into Latvia have been set as of 16 June!
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All travellers have to complete an electronic questionnaire on the website Covidpass.lv not earlier than 48 hours before their entry to Latvia. |
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Restrictions on entry that you would have to comply with in Latvia depend on which country you are coming from and whether you have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. |
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The traveller is recognised as vaccinated 15 days after the completion of a full vaccination course with vaccines registered with the European Medicines Agency or equivalent regulators or recognised by the World Health Organisation. Information on the recognised vaccines may be found from the State Agency of Medicines.
An EU-recognised digital Covid-19 certificate serves as an attestation to the fact of vaccination. Residents of Latvia can download this certificate from the website www.covid19sertifikats.lv. During the transitional period until 1 September 2021, the fact of vaccination may be attested also with the vaccination certificate issued in the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or United Kingdom.
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A traveller shall be considered to have recovered from Covid-19 if 11 days, but no more than 180 days have passed since having the illness. The moment of becoming ill shall be the moment when the first positive Covid-19 test was received. The fact of recovery is certified by a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised within the EU, which can be downloaded by the Latvian residents from www.covid19sertificats.lv.
During the transitional period until 1 September 2021, the fact of recovery may be attested also by a medical document, e.g., physician’s statement, issued within the Member States of the EU, EEA, as well as Switzerland, or United Kingdom in English or the language of the country of departure.
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The countries are divided into three categories:
- low-risk countries: countries in which the incidence rate per population of 100 000 does not exceed 75 within the last 14 days;
- high-risk countries: countries in which the incidence rate per population of 100 000 exceeds 75 within the last 14 days. These countries may include not only the third countries, but also the Member States of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and United Kingdom (UK).
- very high risk (emergency brake) countries: countries with established an especially high Covid-19 incidence rate or rapid spread of dangerous Covid-19 strains. These countries may include not only third countries, but also the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and UK. You can enter Latvia from these countries only if you have an essential reason.
Incidence rates of the countries and a list of emergency brake countries may be found on the website of the Centre for Dease Prevention and Control.
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All necessary attestations before your travel you will have to present before you board the aircraft to Latvia. If you do not have all the necessary attestations, the airline might refuse to let you on the flight.
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Requirements for travellers vaccinated against Covid-19
Requirements for travellers recovered from Covid-19
Requirements for other travellers
Requirements for transit passengers
Travelling with children
Other matters
Requirements for departing travellers
Requirements for vaccinated travellers
What documents are required for the person who has been vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Latvia?
The vaccinated traveller must have a valid digital Covid-19 certificate, which is recognised in the EU and a completed electronic attestation on Covidpass.lv website. During the transitional period until 1 September 2021, the fact of vaccination may be attested also with the vaccination certificate issued in the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or United Kingdom.
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If you do not have the above-mentioned attestations, you must comply with the requirements which are applicable to persons who have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
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In which cases the person vaccinated against Covid-19 still has to do a Covid-19 test?
Even if you have been vaccinated, you must get tested before and after entry into Latvia:
- if you arrive in Latvia from emergency brake countries the list of which has been published on the website of the Centre for Dease Prevention and Control;
- if you arrive from high-risk third countries (countries outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and United Kingdom), where Covid-19 incidence rate exceeds 75 cases per 100 000 residents within the period of 14 days, if you do not have a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU.
Do travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 need to observe self-isolation in Latvia?
If you have been vaccinated and you have the digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU, you are not required to observe self-isolation except cases if you have arrived from an emergency brake country. The list of these countries has been published on the website of the Centre for Dease Prevention and Control.
During the transitional period until 1 September 2021, you can attest the fact of vaccination also with a vaccination certificate issued in the Member States of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or United Kingdom.
Do travellers who are vaccinated against Covid-19 need an essential reason to enter Latvia?
Vaccinated travellers with a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU and arriving from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and United Kingdom, as well as high-risk third countries may arrive in Latvia without restrictions as to the purpose of travel and without the condition of self-isolation.
An essential reason to enter Latvia must be provided by all travellers, also the vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid-19, if they arrive from emergency brake countries.
Those vaccinated travellers arriving in Latvia from high-risk third countries (countries outside EU, EEA, Switzerland, and United Kingdom) and cannot present a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU must also provide an essential reason to enter Latvia. In this case, self-isolation must be observed.
During the transitional period until 1 September 2021, the fact of vaccination may be attested also with vaccination certificate issued in the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or United Kingdom.
Requirements for recovered travellers
When and for how long the traveller is recognised as recovered from Covid-19?
A person shall be considered to have recovered from Covid-19 if 11 days, but no more than 180 days have passed since having the illness. The moment of becoming ill shall be the moment when the first positive Covid-19 test was received. The fact of having recovered from Covid-19 can be proven by a digital Covid-19 certificate which is recognised in the EU. During the transitional period until 1 September, you can attest the fact of recovery also by a recovery attestation, e.g., physician’s statement, issued within the Member States of the EU, EEA, as well as Switzerland or United Kingdom in English or the language of the country of departure. Residents of Latvia can download the digital certificate from the website www.covid19sertifikats.lv.
What documents are required for a person who has recovered from Covid-19 to enter Latvia?
To enter Latvia, you must have a completed electronic attestation on Covidpass.lv website and an attestation of the fact of recovery. The fact of recovery is attested only by a Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU (electronically on a smart device or printed), or during the transitional period until 1 September a recovery attestation, e.g., a physician’s statement, issued in the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or United Kingdom. The document must be in English or the language of the country of departure. The recovery attestation is valid from day 11 until day 180 after the beginning of illness. The beginning of illness shall be the moment when the first positive Covid-19 test result was received.
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If you do not have the above-mentioned attestations, you must comply with the requirements which are applicable to persons who have not been ill with Covid-19!
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In which cases a person who has recovered from Covid-19 still has to do a Covid-19 test?
If you have recovered from Covid-19, you must do a test before and after entry into Latvia when you arrive from emergency brake countries the list of which has been published on website of the Centre for Dease Prevention and Control.
Remember that the fact of recovery is attested only by a Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU (electronically on a smart device or printed), or during the transitional period until 1 September a recovery attestation issued in the Member States of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or United Kingdom. The recovery attestation shall be valid from day 11 until day 180 after the beginning of illness. The beginning of illness shall be the moment when the first positive Covid-19 test result was received.
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If you do not have the above-mentioned attestations, you must comply with the requirements which are applicable to persons who have not been ill with Covid-19!
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Do persons who have recovered from Covid-19 have to observe self-isolation?
The persons who have recovered from Covid-19 must observe self-isolation only when arriving from an emergency brake country. The list of these countries has been published on the CDPC website.
Do travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 need to have an essential reason to enter Latvia?
An essential reason to enter Latvia must be provided by those travellers, also the vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid-19, who enter into Latvia from emergency brake countries. The list of these countries has been published on the website of the Centre for Dease Prevention and Control.
Those travellers who have recovered from Covid-19 and are arriving in Latvia from high-risk third countries and cannot present a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU must also provide an essential reason to enter Latvia. In this case, persons who have recovered must also observe self-isolation after entry.
The recovered travellers with a digital Covid-19 certificate recognised in the EU and arriving from the Member States of the EU and European Economic Area, Swiss Confederation and United Kingdom (EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK), as well as high-risk third countries may arrive in Latvia without restrictions as to the purpose of travel and without the condition of self-isolation.
Requirements for other travellers
What documents must a traveller present on entry to Latvia if they have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19?
If you have not been vaccinated and have not recovered from Covid-19, you must fill in the electronic form on Covidpass.lv 48 hours or less before entering Latvia. You will also need a negative Covid-19 test.
The following tests are valid for entry to Latvia:
- a PCR test done 72 h or less before boarding the aircraft to Latvia;
- an antigen test done 48 h or less before boarding the aircraft to Latvia.
The test result may be presented in English or the language of the country of departure.
When must travellers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 do a test before entering Latvia?
If you have not been vaccinated and have not recovered from Covid-19, you must always do a Covid-19 test. You must also self-isolate.
When must travellers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 do a repeated test after entering Latvia?
A repeated test after entering Latvia must be done by any traveller entering from emergency brake countries. These travellers must also self-isolate.
You must also do a repeated test after entering Latvia if you do not have an EU-recognised digital Covid-19 certificate and you are entering from a high risk third country.
When and where must I do the repeated test after entering Latvia?
The repeated test must be done within 24 hours after entering Latvia at your closest testing site.
For the convenience of passengers travelling from countries outside the Schengen Area, Riga Airport has set up an E.Gulbja laboratorija /E. Gulbis laboratory/ testing station at the non-Schengen area of the Airport terminal, before border control.
Where must I wait for the result of the repeated test?
You can wait for the test result at home, the place you are staying at or one of the hotels listed by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, whilst self-isolating.
Must travellers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 self-isolate?
If you have not been vaccinated and have not recovered from Covid-19, you must self-isolate if you have returned from a high risk or emergency brake country. Country lists can be found on the website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
In what situations are travellers who have not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 allowed not to self-isolate?
If you have not been vaccinated and have not recovered from Covid-19, you are allowed not to self-isolate if entering from a low-risk EU member state, an EEA country or a third country, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. A country is considered to have a low risk of infection if their infection spread index is below 75 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in a 14-day period or if the country is on the Council of Europe recommendations list. The list of countries can be found on the website of Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Must a non-vaccinated traveller who has not recovered from Covid-19, still have an essential reason to enter Latvia?
If you have not been vaccinated and have not recovered from Covid-19, you need an essential reason to enter Latvia, if you are entering from:
- a high risk third country (a country outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, where the infection spread index is above 75 cases per 100 000 population in a 14-day period);
- an emergency brake country.
Country lists can be found on the website of Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
When entering from low risk third countries, EU Member States, EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, the purpose of travel is not restricted.
Requirements for transit passengers
If you are travelling through Riga Airport in transit, have no plans to leave the Airport area and are staying there for less than 24 hours, you do not need a digital Covid-19 certificate to enter Latvia, nor do you need a Covid-19 test. You have to complete an electronic questionnaire on the website Covidpass.lv not earlier than 48 hours before entry to Latvia.
Should you wish to leave the Airport area or spend more than 24 hours at Riga Airport, you will need the same kind of documents as any other traveller.
Children up to 12 years of age are exempt from having to prove that they have been vaccinated or have recovered from the disease, as well as from doing tests.
If children are travelling with attendants, the same self-isolation rules apply to the children as to the persons they are travelling together. However for 10 days after leaving a high-risk country, children are not allowed to come in close contact with people outside of their own household, visit public events, take part in children’s groups and use public transport. During the transit period until 1 September the aforementioned self-isolation conditions apply to all minor children.
Other matter
What is considered an essential reason to enter Latvia?
When entering from EU Member States and EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, an urgent and essential reason for entering Latvia may be travelling for work, training, study or family reunion purposes, travelling to receive medical services, to transit or to accompany a minor, as well as to return to one’s place of residence or attend a funeral.
When travelling from third countries (countries outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the United Kingdom), the following persons are considered as an essential travellers:
- aircraft passengers crossing the territory of Latvia in transit, without leaving the Airport area and staying there for less than 24 hours, if they can present proof of a transit flight;
- Latvian nationals, their family members and holders of Latvian residence permits, as well as foreigners who are crossing the territory of Latvia in transit as they return to their country of residence;
- nationals of EU Member States, EEA countries and Switzerland, and their family members, persons residing in these countries, as well as UK nationals and their family members who are crossing the territory of Latvia in transit as they return to their country of residence which can also be Latvia;
- employees of providers of transport and haulage services and passengers, cargo or technical flight crew arriving in Latvia or leaving Latvia on work duty;
- sailors who must get to their workplace aboard a ship or return from it;
- other exceptional cases stated in the Cabinet Regulation No. 360, Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection (Epidemioloģiskās drošības pasākumi Covid-19 infekcijas izplatības ierobežošanai).
What language should the test result be in?
The test result must be in English or in the language of the country of departure.
Can I present my test result as an SMS?
The test result can be presented on paper or electronically (on your device).
If a traveller’s Covid-19 test result is positive, will they be allowed to enter Latvia in order to return home?
Latvian nationals, as well as EU residents with residence permits, who have a positive Covid-19 test result can only return to Latvia in their own private vehicle. These travellers must observe the restrictions currently in place in Latvia, which can be viewed on the official website covid19.gov.lv.
Can the duration of self-isolation be shortened?
Self-isolation time can be shortened if a repeated test is done on the 7th day after entering Latvia and the test result is negative. Learn more on the official website covid19.gov.lv.
Who can be exempt from the requirements regarding vaccination or recovery on entering Latvia?
The following persons can be exempt:
- children under 12 years of age;
- employees of providers of transport and haulage services and passengers, cargo or technical flight crew, also when they are on their way to their workplace or returning from it. Professional freight vehicle and bus drivers, upon a request of the State Border Guards or State Police, must present a valid driver’s licence for the necessary vehicle category and a digital tachograph driver’s licence or a tachogram from their last working day, as well as a Certificate for International Transport Worker provided by their employer, the form and content of which must comply with the example provided by the European Commission;
- sailors who must get to their workplace aboard a ship or return from it;
- aircraft passengers crossing the territory of Latvia in transit, without leaving the Airport area and staying there for less than 24 hours, if they can present proof of a transit flight;
- delegations, diplomats and their family members, diplomatic couriers;
- other exceptional cases stated in the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 360, Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection (Epidemioloģiskās drošības pasākumi Covid-19 infekcijas izplatības ierobežošanai).
Where can the repeat test be done at Riga Airport?
If you enter Riga Airport from a country outside the Schengen area, for your convenience we have set up testing point at the arrivals C just before the border control, where you will be able to take the test at E.Gulbis Laboratory.
When entering Latvia from a Schengen area country, you can take the test at the reception point of E.Gulbis Laboratory, which is located in the Airport’s check-in hall.
We encourage passengers to register in time and pay for the test on the website of E.Gulbis Laboratory.
What should I do while I am waiting for the repeat test result?
You can wait for test results at home or living place, observing self-isolation.
Until what date are the restrictions on carriage in force?
Restrictions on international flights have been set until the Cabinet of Ministers sets a different procedure for operating flights. We encourage you to follow the current information about the changes.
What restrictions are set in Latvia?
A number of restrictions on gatherings and trade have been set in the country. Find out more about what you need to observe while staying in Latvia at www.covid19.gov.lv.
Where, when, how does flight information appear?
The current flight schedule as provided by carriers can be found on the Riga Airport website. Please contact your airline regarding each specific flight.
What epidemiological safety measures should be followed at the Airport?
All travellers, except children under the age of 7, must wear a medical mask when staying at the Airport. Entry to the Airport terminal is only allowed to passengers in masks, upon presentation of a boarding pass or booking confirmation.
The Airport urges travellers to carefully observe the requirement to wear a mask during their stay at the Airport. In particular, the use of masks will be controlled in places where it is difficult to maintain physical distance.
If passenger has arrived at the Airport without a mask, it is possible to buy it at several places both at the entrance and in the terminal itself.
Travellers are also urged to observe their hand hygiene at the Airport and, wherever possible, to observe physical distance.
Will I undergo any special check upon departure/arrival?
The Airport has set equipment for measuring body temperature in the departures hall before security controls and in the arrivals hall before baggage reclaim.
Departure
For departing passengers, the existence of both travel documents and other certificates and documents is checked in accordance with the requirements of the country of destination and the airline. Such requirements may include, for example, a Covid-19 test or other medical certification, the completion of e-questionnaires and other requirements. Before your flight, please read the requirements of the airline and the country of destination carefully!
Departing passengers will be subjected to temperature measurements to comply with the requirements of airlines that have prohibited passengers with elevated body temperature from boarding aircraft. For example, airBaltic does not accept on board its aircraft passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees. We urge passengers to carefully read the rules of the selected airline before the flight!
Arrival
There are no special health checks for arriving passengers at Riga Airport, but you may be asked to present a confirmations that you need to enter Latvia.
Is it possible to take COVID-19 test at the Airport?
A permanent E. Gulbis Laboratory patient reception point has been opened at Riga Airport, offering travellers and employees of the Airport and companies working at the Airport an opportunity to take various types of Covid-19 tests, as well as perform other types of medical tests.
The patient point is located in the Airport’s check-in hall, to the right of the entrance, where the former restaurant "TGI Fridays” was located. The opening hours of the point are from Monday to Sunday 6.00 – 24:00.
Taking into account the epidemiological safety measures in place at Riga Airport, passengers can visit the point not earlier than 72 hours before their flight and must present a boarding pass or booking confirmation before entering the terminal. The point is also available to arriving passengers by presenting a boarding pass to enter the check-in hall, as well as to employees of the Airport and companies working at the Airport.
Passengers should apply for Covid-19 tests at the Airport patient point in advance; however, patients without appointment will also be served in free time between appointments. You can sign up by calling 67801112 or on the website of E. Gulbis Laboratory https://www.egl.lv/en/, authenticating with Swedbank, SEB, Luminor or Citadele internet bank, e-parakstsID or e-paraksts Mobile or Smart-ID applications.
The Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab from the nose and throat, the saliva PCR test, the result of which is ready within 24 hours, the antigen or rapid test, the result of which is ready within 0.5 hours, can be taken at the testing point; it also offers various antibody tests, the types of which are listed on the website of E. Gulbis Laboratory.
In addition to Covid-19 tests, other tests that are not subject to special handling or storage conditions can also be taken at the permanent patient point. More detailed information will be available from the laboratory staff, upon specifying the respective test.
The contactless Covid-19 testing point of E. Gulbis Laboratory, which is located at the Airport at the exit of Arrivals Hall E, also continues to work at Riga Airport. This point is available to anyone interested and travellers can take a saliva test, the result of which is ready within 24 hours. This device can only be used by those Airport guests and employees who have access to authentication tools recognized in Latvia: Swedbank, SEB, Luminor or Citadele internet bank, e-parakstsID or e-paraksts Mobile or Smart-ID. If these authentication tools are not available, you can authenticate by sending a passport or ID card photo.
Are there any restrictions on the presence of persons meeting and seeing off passengers in the terminal premises?
Persons seeing off passengers are not allowed to enter the Airport terminal. Please go to the Airport only if passenger needs special assistance to get to the Airport. Passengers with reduced mobility can receive PRM service at the Airport.
Persons meeting passengers are allowed to enter the waiting rooms, but it is mandatory to wear a mask and observe physical distance.
Is it possible to spend the night at the Airport when travelling in transit?
Yes, transit passengers have an opportunity to spend the night at the Airport waiting for their next flight. Passengers travelling in transit should make sure that they have all the necessary documents for entry into the Republic of Latvia and the Schengen Area, as well as to get acquainted with the conditions of stay and quarantine specified in Latvia.
If my flight is very early in the morning, can I arrive at the Airport late the night before and spend the night at the terminal?
Yes, passengers scheduled to leave early in the morning can arrive at the Airport the night before and spend the night at the Airport.
In which cases can I be denied flight?
Flight may be denied if passenger does not meet epidemiological safety requirements set in the country of destination or by the airline. Such requirements may include, for example, a mandatory Covid-19 test, a mandatory face mask, a threshold for body temperature and others. For example, the national airline airBaltic does not allow passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees on board its aircraft. The temperature measurement at Riga Airport will be performed before the security control area and passengers with elevated body temperature will be directed to airBaltic employees for further information.
We encourage passengers to read carefully the rules of the destination country and selected airline before the flight!
What are the restrictions on entering other countries?
Due to the pandemic, many countries have imposed various travel restrictions, including mandatory Covid-19 test, self-isolation, certain entry conditions, etc. Many countries also have special requirements for the mandatory use of masks, stays in public places, gathering restrictions, etc.
Please read carefully the requirements before your trip and follow the current information! Aggregated information on restrictions imposed in other countries can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Latvian), as well as on the European Commission's dedicated website https://reopen.europa.eu, which provides information on travel regulations and health security measures in EU Member States.
How can I cancel/change my flight or get my money back?
Please contact the selected airline.
Can I settle the issue of changing tickets at the Airport?
Passengers have to settle any issues related to the cancellation or change of their flight bookings, as well as the recovery of their funds with their airlines. The Airport encourages passengers to address these issues remotely without having to arrive at the Airport. The Airport advises to visit the Airport terminal only if the passenger who you are seeing off or meeting needs special assistance in getting to/from the Airport. Passengers are also asked to use personal transport whenever possible to get home from the Airport.
How to contact airBaltic?
The latest information provided by airBaltic is available here.
