Australian Embassy
Sweden
Finland and Latvia
Australian Ambassador H.E. Ms Frances Sagala 

FAQs: Living in Latvia during COVID-19

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Living in Sweden during COVID-19

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New website page for Sweden COVID-19 information and links

 

Latvia: COVID-19 Visa, Healthcare and Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about living in Latvia during COVID-19, below.

Updated at 6 May 2020

Keeping updated

We recommend you subscribe to updates from Smartraveller regarding travel advice for Latvia. You will be sent updates by email and critical updates by text message. We will issue any Australian Government advice about health and safety in your country on Smartraveller and send it to subscribers.

We recommend you also follow us on Facebook , Twitter  and Instagram where we will post regular updates.

Returning to Australia

Flights 

Important information for Australians in Latvia seeking to return to Australia

Australians are able to leave Latvia as long as you can show proof of your travel itinerary to return home to Australia.

There are currently limited flights departing Latvia. airBaltic has scheduled flights from Riga to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Oslo with onward connections to Australia. If you wish to leave, confirm your travel arrangements immediately and contact the Australian Embassy in Stockholm to discuss your opt.

We are recommending that if you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, that you should do so as soon as possible. The decision to come home or to stay where you are is yours. Every individual will need to consider their own circumstances. Be informed and stay safe.

Please contact us for advice and assistance by calling: 46 8 613 2900, or emailing: [email protected].

 

Staying in Latvia for short-term visitors 

Visas  

Australians visiting Latvia who can’t leave due to the state of emergency, relating to the COVID-19 crisis

Applications for short-term visas are not currently accepted. If your visa for Latvia expires during the state of emergency, Latvian authorities have advised that you will not be penalised. Latvian authorities confirms that  you will be able to leave the country once movement restrictions are lifted. For more information, please contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, here.

In accordance with the law passed by the Parliament:

  • During the COVID-19 crisis, Australians can stay in Latvia until the end of the emergency situation even if their visa has expired.
  • Australians do not need to obtain a new visa or apply for an extension.
  • Within 30-days of the Latvian Government lifting the COVID-19 emergency situation, Australians will need to  apply for new visa or leave the country.

 

Healthcare Information   

 Australians visiting Latvia for less than 90 days

To enter Latvia, you must have a valid health insurance policy that guarantees coverage of any health-related expense during your stay, including repatriation. If you do not have appropriate travel insurance, or this has expired, you should purchase appropriate medical insurance as soon as possible. According to the Latvian Migration Agency, you should be able to purchase medical insurance in Latvia online.

Once the emergency situation is lifted, if you have overstayed your 90 days in Latvia, you will have 30 days to leave the country or legalise your visa status. If you chose to legalise your status and apply for a visa, you will be required to purchase and show your health insurance policy covering your additional stay in Latvia.

For more information about health insurance requirements, please contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs on  +371 67209400, Monday to Friday 09:00 16:30.

 

Staying in Latvia for long-term visitors 

Visas  

Australians living in Latvia

Applications for long-term visas  are not currently accepted. If your visa for Latvia expires during the state of emergency, Latvian authorities have advised that you will not be penalised. Latvian authorities confirms that  you will be able to leave the country once movement restrictions are lifted. For more information, please contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, here.

In accordance with the law passed by the Parliament:

  • During the COVID-19 crisis, Australians can stay in Latvia until the end of the state of emergency if their visa or residence permit expires.
  • Australians do not need to obtain a new visa or apply for an extension to their residence permit.
  • Within 30 days of the Latvian Government lifting the COVID-19 state of emergency, Australians should apply for new visa or residence permit, or leave the country.

 

Healthcare Information

Australians living in Latvia for longer than 90 days

If you’re living in Latvia as a permanent resident, you are entitled to health care services at a lower cost, provided you have a referral from a general practitioner. If you have a referral from the general practitioner or another specialist physician, you can receive a state-funded consultancy from the specialist physician or diagnostic examination and pay only the patient fee.

If you have a temporary residence permit, the Latvian Government cannot not ensure state-funded health care services for you.  You will have to cover the full cost of the visit to the specialist yourself or by means of your health insurance.

For more information please visit: http://www.integration.lv/en/helthcare and http://www.nmpd.gov.lv/en/.