💰 Quick Context: The Euro
Latvia uses the Euro (EUR / €), having adopted it in 2014 (replacing the Latvian Lats). A coffee costs €2–4, a restaurant meal €10–25, and a hotel night €60–150. Quick math: the euro and USD are close to parity, so prices in euros are roughly the same in US dollars. Check the current EUR/USD rate before your trip. Latvia is one of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe, and Riga is extremely card-friendly. You will only need cash for a few specific situations.
🎧 Order Euros Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Latvia
Latvia is highly card-friendly, especially in Riga. Contactless payments are the norm, and many Latvians rarely carry cash. That said, a small cash reserve is useful for markets and rural areas.
Cards work almost everywhere in Riga. Hotels, restaurants on Kalku iela, Rimi and Maxima supermarkets, and public transport all accept contactless. Cash is needed at Riga Central Market vendors (especially outdoor stalls), small rural cafes, street food stands, and outdoor flea markets.
Jurmala and Sigulda are well set up for cards. Smaller towns and rural Latgale may have limited acceptance. Keep €30–50 as backup. More if visiting Riga Central Market.
How to Get Euros for Your Latvia Trip
Latvia adopted the euro in 2014 and is now one of the more cashless economies in the EU. Riga is genuinely card-first: every Rimi and Maxima supermarket, every Old Town restaurant on Kalku iela, every Origo station shop, and the Riga public transit system all handle contactless seamlessly. Cash still helps at the Riga Central Market's outdoor stalls (one of the largest covered markets in Europe, full of cash-preferred vendors), the Sigulda mountain-bike rentals, the Latgale rural lakehouse cafes, and the Latvian flea markets like Berga Bazars. You'll likely use less euro cash here than in most Eurozone countries, but a small reserve covers the edge cases. Two cheap routes for getting euros: pre-order before takeoff or pull from a Swedbank or SEB ATM after landing.
Order euros before you fly
For pre-arrival euros, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical euros to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery. Your home bank works just as well: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi all order euros for branch pickup or home delivery. Allow 3–7 business days. Latvia does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so BoA debit users will pay BoA's standard 3% non-network fee on Latvian ATM withdrawals. The cleanest setup for any Latvia trip: a Wise or Charles Schwab card to handle 99% of payments contactlessly, plus a small CEI envelope of euros for Riga Central Market produce stalls and rural Latgale cafe stops.
Withdraw from a Latvian bank ATM
Once you're in Latvia, the cheapest source of euros is one of the major Latvian bank ATMs. Swedbank Latvia, SEB Latvia, Citadele Banka, and Luminor Bank all give the actual interbank rate with no markup, and they don't add an operator fee on foreign cards. Withdrawal limits run roughly €500–1,000 per transaction. Bank ATMs cluster around Riga's Old Town, around Origo train station, in the Stockmann department store on Krasta iela, and at RIX (Riga International) airport arrivals. The standalone Euronet ATMs that have crept into Old Town tourist hubs near Town Hall Square and along the Daugava waterfront tack on operator fees and push DCC. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a Swedbank Latvia withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Three traps to walk past in Latvia. The Forex and Tavid counters in arrivals at RIX (Riga International) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–12% off the interbank rate. The downtown exchange windows along Brivibas iela and around the Old Town's tourist core use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup straight into the rate. And Riga's Old Town has a small but growing Euronet density (around the House of Blackheads, near the Freedom Monument) that layer DCC pitches on top of operator fees. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Swedbank, SEB, Citadele, or Luminor, decline DCC, and walk past anything labeled "no commission". Latvia does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-EUR timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Latvia
Latvia's major banks operate ATMs across the country. These machines typically do not charge an operator fee for foreign card withdrawals, though your home bank may charge its own foreign transaction fee. Always choose EUR when prompted.
Swedbank
Latvia's largest bank with the most extensive ATM network. You will find Swedbank ATMs throughout Riga, at the airport, and in virtually every city and town across Latvia.
Recommended
SEB banka
One of the largest banks in the Baltics with strong ATM coverage across Latvia. SEB ATMs are found in Riga, Jurmala, and major regional towns. Reliable machines with English-language interfaces.
Recommended
Citadele banka
A major Latvian bank with ATMs in Riga and larger towns. Citadele machines are straightforward and typically do not charge foreign card fees.
Recommended
Luminor
Formed from the merger of Nordea and DNB Baltic operations. Luminor has solid ATM coverage in Riga and regional centres. A reliable alternative if Swedbank or SEB machines are busy.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of EUR, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. This is especially common at ATMs in the Old Riga tourist area and some restaurants near popular sights. Always select "EUR" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Latvia
Independent ATMs have appeared in Riga's tourist zones, particularly around Old Riga (Vecrīga). They often charge extra fees and push DCC with poor exchange rates. Stick to the bank ATMs listed above.
Euronet
Found in the Old Riga tourist area, near the Central Station, and along popular walking routes. Euronet ATMs aggressively push DCC and charge operator fees. Walk a few minutes to find a Swedbank or SEB ATM instead.
AvoidStandalone Unbranded ATMs
Unbranded machines in souvenir shops, near tourist attractions, and in some hotel lobbies. These typically charge €3–5 per withdrawal and offer unfavorable exchange rates through DCC.
AvoidPaying by Card in Latvia
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually all hotels, restaurants, shops, and Rimi/Maxima supermarkets across Latvia. American Express has limited acceptance at larger hotels. Discover has very limited acceptance.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Latvia is one of Europe's leaders in contactless adoption. Nearly every terminal supports tap-to-pay. Transactions under €50 require no PIN. Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely. Riga public transport (buses, trams, trolleybuses) accepts contactless bank cards directly. No paper tickets needed.
Where Cards May Not Work
Riga Central Market (one of Europe's largest, in former Zeppelin hangars) has many cash-only vendors, especially in the outdoor sections. Rural Latgale and Kurzeme: small shops, farmstands, and guesthouses may require cash. Independent cafes in smaller towns may be cash-only. Flea markets and seasonal craft fairs expect cash.
Tipping in Latvia
Tipping Guide
Tipping is not strongly expected. Tips are a bonus, not an obligation. At restaurants in Old Riga, 10% is generous. Rounding up is common. Cafes: no tip; leave small change. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Tour guides on Old Riga walking tours: €5–10 per person for a full day. Hotel porters: €1–2.
Riga & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For city-specific tips, see our Riga money guide covering Old Town ATMs, Central Market cash tips, and tram payments.
Eurozone member since 2014. Latvia replaced the Lats with the Euro. Old Riga is very card-friendly: restaurants, bars on Jauniela, shops, and museums all accept cards. You can go cashless for most activities here. Riga Central Market is a must-visit but needs cash (€10–20 for snacks and produce).
Jurmala (beach resort): hotels and restaurants accept cards. Smaller beach cafes prefer cash. Riga public transport: tap your contactless bank card directly on buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Alternatively, use the Rīgas Satiksme e-ticket for discounted fares.
Money Safety in Latvia
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside Swedbank or SEB branches rather than Euronet machines in Old Riga. Riga is very safe, but watch for pickpockets in Old Town during peak season (June through August) and at Christmas markets.
Latvia is a eurozone member, so European card issuers rarely flag transactions. Non-European visitors should mention "Latvia" to their bank since some systems flag Baltic states separately.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend euros like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Frequently Asked Questions
What currency does Latvia use?
The euro (EUR). Latvia joined the eurozone in 2014. If coming from another eurozone country, you already have the right currency.
Do I need cash in Latvia?
Very little. Latvia is highly card-friendly with excellent contactless coverage. Cash is mainly needed at Riga Central Market vendors, rural areas, and flea markets. €30–50 is enough backup.
Can I use contactless on Riga public transport?
Yes. Riga buses, trams, and trolleybuses accept contactless Visa and Mastercard directly. Tap your card on the reader. No paper tickets needed.
Is tipping expected in Latvia?
Not strongly. 10% at nice restaurants is generous. Rounding up is common. Tips are a bonus, not an obligation.
Do I need cash for Riga Central Market?
Yes. Many vendors in this massive market (housed in former Zeppelin hangars) are cash-only, especially outdoor stalls. Bring €10–20.
Is Latvia expensive?
Affordable for Europe. A restaurant meal costs €8–15, a beer €3–5, and a hotel night €50–120. Riga is cheaper than Tallinn or Helsinki.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card (contactless) | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★★ | Daily spending in Riga, restaurants, transport |
| Latvian bank ATMs (Swedbank, SEB, etc.) | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Cash for Central Market and rural areas |
| Euronet / independent ATMs | High (fees + poor rates + DCC) | ★★★☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Latvia Quick Facts
| Currency | Euro (EUR / €). Close to USD parity |
| Cash vs. Card | Highly card-friendly. €30–50 cash backup recommended |
| Best ATMs | Swedbank, SEB banka, Citadele banka, Luminor |
| Contactless Limit | €50 without PIN |
| Card Acceptance | Excellent in Riga, Jurmala, and Sigulda. Less reliable in rural areas |
| Tipping | Not strongly expected. 10% at nice restaurants is generous |
| DCC Risk | Common in Old Riga tourist area. Always choose EUR |
| Best Strategy | No-FX-fee card for most spending. Bank ATM cash for Central Market and rural areas |
Latvia City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Latvia's top destinations. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.