Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit LV?
No visa is required. German citizens enjoy EU freedom of movement and can travel to Latvia for tourism with no time limit and no entry authorization. Germany and Latvia are both members of the European Union and the Schengen Area. As an EU citizen, a German ordinary-passport holder has the right to free movement and may enter Latvia for tourism, visits, or any purpose without a visa, without an entry stamp, and without registering for short stays. The Schengen 90/180-day limit and ETIAS apply only to non-EU visa-exempt travelers, so they do NOT apply to German nationals. Travel between Germany and Latvia is internal Schengen travel, meaning there are normally no systematic border checks. A German national needs only a valid national ID card or passport to enter Latvia; a passport is not strictly required, though carrying one is recommended. If staying in Latvia longer than three months, an EU citizen must register their residence with Latvian authorities (a formality, not a visa). The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS being rolled out in 2025-2026 target third-country nationals only and have no effect on German citizens.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Germany (PR)Living in Germany as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→