Latvia Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Latvia and Malta are both EU and Schengen members. Malta passport holders travel freely to Latvia with no visa requirements.
Great news! Malta passport holders can enter Latvia without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa required. Malta national ID card sufficient. No Schengen border checks. Latvia uses the euro.
Latvia is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Malta Passport or National ID
National ID card accepted within the EU.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Latvia: What You Need to Know
Latvia is the middle Baltic state, an EU and Schengen member of 1.8 million people. Riga, its capital, has the world's largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture and a UNESCO-listed medieval old town. Latvia joined the EU in 2004 alongside Malta, making them co-members from the same accession wave. Both are small EU states with relatively large diaspora populations abroad. Latvia has a distinct cultural character: Latvian folk song traditions (Dainas) are UNESCO-recognized, and Latvia has one of the world's highest concentrations of opera singers per capita.
How to Get There
Riga is about 3-4 hours by direct or one-stop flight from Malta. AirBaltic (Latvia's flag carrier) and Ryanair serve the route. Riga is a natural Baltic hub connecting to Tallinn (2-hour bus) and Vilnius (3-hour bus via Lux Express).
Money & Banking
Latvia uses the euro (EUR). Riga is among the EU's most affordable capitals: sit-down restaurant EUR 8-16, hotel rooms EUR 50-100/night, Baltic amber jewelry from EUR 20 at the Central Market. The Latvian grey peas with bacon (peleki zirni ar bekonu) are a must-try local dish.
Practical Tips
Riga: the medieval old town (Dom Cathedral, the House of the Blackheads, St. Peter's Church tower for panoramic views), the Art Nouveau district (Alberta iela, Elizabetes iela, walking tour essential), the Central Market in the Zeppelin hangars. Jurmala beach resort (30 minutes by train from Riga): Baltic beach, pine forests, and Art Nouveau wooden villas. Gauja National Park (1 hour east): the "Switzerland of Latvia" with cave castle ruins and adventure sports. Day trip to Sigulda for medieval castles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Latvia?
No. Latvia and Malta are both EU and Schengen members. No visa required.
What is Art Nouveau and why is Riga famous for it?
Art Nouveau (Jugendstil in German) was an architectural and design movement from approximately 1890-1910, characterized by organic, flowing forms inspired by natural shapes, elaborate facades, and ornamental detail. Riga has the world's largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings (over 800) because the city experienced rapid economic growth during exactly this period. The Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela streets are the best examples.
What is Latvian rye bread?
Latvian rye bread (rudzu maize) is a dense, dark, slightly sour sourdough loaf, fundamental to Latvian cuisine. It is completely different from wheat bread: more complex, more nutritious, and more filling. It is traditionally eaten with butter, cheese, smoked fish (sprats), or bacon. The best rye bread is from traditional bakeries and has protected geographical indication status in the EU.
Is the Baltic Sea cold for swimming?
The Baltic Sea is notably less salty than the open ocean and is shallow, warming more quickly in summer. At Jurmala beach near Riga, the water reaches 18-22 degrees C in July and August, which is acceptable for swimming. June and September are cooler. In winter, the sea may partially freeze.
What is amber and where does it come from?
Baltic amber (succinite) is fossilized tree resin approximately 44 million years old, found predominantly along the Baltic Sea coast (especially Kaliningrad, Lithuania, and Latvia). The Baltic coast has the world's largest amber deposits. Amber in all colors (yellow, orange, white, green, blue, black) and with inclusions (insects, plants) is used in jewelry throughout the Baltic. Best purchased from certified jewelers rather than street vendors.
What language is spoken in Latvia?
Latvian (Latviesu valoda) is a Baltic language, related to Lithuanian, and one of the oldest living European language families. Russian is widely spoken as a second language among older generations (Soviet legacy). English is widely understood in Riga, especially among younger people. Latvian and Lithuanian are the only surviving Baltic languages.