Foreign Guest Declaration in Latvia: What Hosts Must Do (2026)

Every provider of tourist accommodation in Latvia, whether a company or a private host, must make sure foreign guests personally complete and sign a declaration form and prove their identity with a valid travel document. The rules were updated with effect from 12 September 2026.

Who it applies to

• Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and, since the Tourism Law amendments of 10 July 2026, short-term rental apartments and holiday homes offered for public booking.
• Both legal entities and natural persons who provide tourist accommodation.

What the declaration contains

About the guest: surname, name, date of birth, nationality (type) and country of residence, travel document type, series, number, issuing country, date of issue and expiry, arrival date and departure date.

About the provider: company name and registration number (or, for a natural person, name, surname and taxpayer code), plus the accommodation name, address, phone and email.

Exceptions and groups

• One spouse may complete the declaration for both spouses.
• A parent, legal representative or accompanying person completes it for a minor.
• For an organised tourist group, the group leader completes and signs it.

Paper or electronic

• The provider may prepare the declaration electronically and send it to the guest to sign.
• Identity may be verified remotely if the method is recognised, reliable and as secure as showing the document in person.
• On paper, staff check the data against the travel document and sign the verified form.

Storage and requests

• Keep each declaration for one year from the day it was completed.
• On request from the State Security Service, State Police or State Border Guard, hand it over without delay. In emergencies, information may be requested orally.
• The form must be available in Latvian and at least one foreign language.

Practical workflow

1. Collect arrival details at booking.
2. Send the e-declaration with the pre-arrival message.
3. Check the document at check-in (or verify it remotely).
4. File the declaration with its date and set a deletion reminder for 12 months.
5. Delete it once the retention period ends (GDPR storage limitation).

Official sources

• Ministry of Economics: completing declaration forms for foreigners
• Cabinet Regulation No. 226 (likumi.lv, EN)
• Amendments, Reg. No. 518 of 1 Sep 2026 (Latvijas Vēstnesis)

Last reviewed 29 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Check the linked official sources for your case.