- It is advised you to exercise normal safety precautions in Latvia.
- Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
- There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities.
- Although civil unrest is generally not a problem in Latvia, you should avoid large demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent.
- Australia has a Consulate in Riga, headed by an Honorary Consul, which provides limited consular assistance (not including visa and immigration services or the issue of passports). The Australian Embassy in Sweden provides full consular assistance to Australians in Latvia.
Latvian Law Help
When you are in Latvia:
- Be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards.
- If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but it can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
- Penalties for drug offences. Possession of any amounts may include long jail sentences and heavy fines.
- Driving offences have harsh penalties. (Penalties for driving over the blood alcohol limit (0.05) may include a heavy fine, jail sentence, loss of licence and permanent vehicle confiscation. The blood alcohol limit for drivers with driving experience of less than two years is 0.02).
- Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
- Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas.
- Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals:
On 23 May 2013, new legislation on dual nationality was adopted by the Latvian Parliament. Dual citizenship will now be allowed for citizens for Australia among some other countries. The new legislation will be in effect from 1 October 2013. For further information on dual nationality issues and status, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Latvia for information on your dual nationality status. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
CrimeWe advise you to exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia. Street crime occurs, particularly in the capital Riga, includingbag snatching, pickpocketing, mugging and petty theft. Airports, train stations, the Central Market, parks, routes to major hotels and the Old Town are prime locations forpickpockets. Pickpockets usually operate in groups.
A number of crimes committed against foreigners at bars, clubs and lounges in Riga have been reported. Visitors have been charged extortionate prices for drinks. Youshould check the price of drinks before ordering. Discussions about overcharging have been known to lead to violent assault or threats of violence. Security guards maycompel you to pay.
Drink spiking occurs in bars and casinos. Do not leave drinks unattended.
Foreigners have been the victims of serious assault. Young males, either alone or in groups, returning to hotels or hostels from bars and clubs late at night, are particulartargets for violent assaults. Avoid parks and areas near parks late at night.
Car theft is common, particularly in Riga. You should use well-guarded car parks whenever possible.
Victims of crime should file a police report at the nearest police station. Police in Latvia can be slow in assisting victims of crime. It could take 4-5 hours before a police reportis issued to a non-Latvian speaker.
The Riga Tourist Police Unit has a 24-hour hotline (+371 2 203 3000 or +371 67 181818, English speaking), that can be used to lodge complaints about crimes in Latvia.
Money and valuablesBefore you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency andtravellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card willwork in Latvia.
Credit card fraud occurs in Latvia, particularly in places that are frequented by tourists such as shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Keep a close eye on your credit cardat all times and under no circumstances sign blank credit card slips.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leaveanother copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You arerequired by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.