Title
Tourism in Latvia. What Visitors Need to Know.
Real Estate in Latvia
Emergency Assistance:
In case of unforeseen situations requiring outside assistance, call 112. This is the emergency number for emergency services: police, fire department, or ambulance.
To feel safe:
- Exercise caution when interacting with strangers on the street.
- Try to avoid any suspicious transactions or arrangements.
- In leisure, entertainment, or service venues, always ask for the price list before placing an order. Be clear about the contents of your order and its total cost.
- In entertainment venues, we recommend paying in cash in the local currency after each completed order, rather than paying for everything at the end.
- If you pay by card, always double-check the total amount of your payment. Ask for a receipt, check, or any other document confirming your payment.
- If you want to call a taxi, use only those that are appropriately colored and have the appropriate identification marks.
- Beware of pickpockets, handle money and personal belongings carefully.
- In case of any misunderstandings, call the 24-hour tourist hotline at 22033000.
List of activities that are prohibited in Latvia and punishable by arrest or a fine.
- Smoking is prohibited in public places.
- Carrying open containers of alcoholic beverages in public places in Riga is prohibited. This also applies to parks and squares. Violating this prohibition will result in a fine of 150 euros.
- Persons who are intoxicated or disturbing the peace are prohibited from being in public places. Punishment: arrest or a fine.
- Minor hooliganism (harassing passersby, disturbing the peace, using obscene language) is punishable by arrest or a fine.
- Driving a car or any other vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content over 0.5 ppm is strictly prohibited.
- Failure to obey a lawful order from a police officer will result in administrative arrest or a fine.
- Assault on a public official, as well as resisting arrest, are criminal offenses and are punishable by arrest followed by judicial proceedings.
- Purchasing or possessing narcotic substances is a criminal offense in the country.
- Foreign citizens residing in Latvia are held accountable for any violations of the country's laws equally with Latvian citizens.
Ignorance of the laws does not excuse one from the responsibility for their observance.
Construction of buildings frozen during the crisis has been completed in Latvia.
Real Estate in Latvia
Apartment prices have increased in a year. Real Estate in Latvia
Comparing November this year with last year, we can conclude that prices for apartments without renovation in Riga increased by 2.06%.
Based on the rating compiled for last month, the average apartment without renovation cost 402.5 lats per square meter. Overall, 574 apartment purchase transactions were concluded in November.
The most popular neighborhoods are Teika, Plavnieki, Purvciems, Agenskalns, Imanata, and Zolitude, where one-bedroom apartments cost between 12,600 and 18,900 lats. Two-bedroom apartments cost between 16,800 and 25,200 lats, three-bedroom apartments between 21,000 and 30,100 lats, and four-bedroom apartments between 28,000 and 32,900 lats. Overall, November was a quiet month on the real estate market. Latvians showed the most interest in apartments ranging from 40 to 50 square meters, priced at approximately 21,000 lats.
Buyers were only interested in apartments in good condition, with new radiators and plastic windows. They were more inclined to buy more expensive properties than those that would require complete renovations and consequently higher costs.
Starting in January 2012, real estate taxes will be payable on sheds and other outbuildings.
Local government chairmen are confident that introducing a tax on this type of property will provoke strong outrage and discontent among Latvian residents.
The government plans to introduce a real estate tax on outbuildings and sheds as early as January 1, 2012. The tax rate will range from 0.2% to 0.6% of the property's cadastral value, just like for residential buildings. However, local governments will be able to decide for themselves whether to introduce this type of tax on commercial property or not!
Imants Balodis, Chairman of the Lielvārde Regional Council, is convinced that the state's decision to allow local governments to decide on the tax on sheds and outbuildings themselves was too hasty.
From the very beginning, it was necessary to clearly determine which specific outbuildings and properties are subject to this tax, the number of such structures in local government territories, and whether all these measures are actually in place.
Real Estate in Latvia
Emergency Assistance:
In case of unforeseen situations requiring outside assistance, call 112. This is the emergency number for emergency services: police, fire department, or ambulance.
To feel safe:
- Exercise caution when interacting with strangers on the street.
- Try to avoid any suspicious transactions or arrangements.
- In leisure, entertainment, or service venues, always ask for the price list before placing an order. Be clear about the contents of your order and its total cost.
- In entertainment venues, we recommend paying in cash in the local currency after each completed order, rather than paying for everything at the end.
- If you pay by card, always double-check the total amount of your payment. Ask for a receipt, check, or any other document confirming your payment.
- If you want to call a taxi, use only those that are appropriately colored and have the appropriate identification marks.
- Beware of pickpockets, handle money and personal belongings carefully.
- In case of any misunderstandings, call the 24-hour tourist hotline at 22033000.
List of activities that are prohibited in Latvia and punishable by arrest or a fine.
- Smoking is prohibited in public places.
- Carrying open containers of alcoholic beverages in public places in Riga is prohibited. This also applies to parks and squares. Violating this prohibition will result in a fine of 150 euros.
- Persons who are intoxicated or disturbing the peace are prohibited from being in public places. Punishment: arrest or a fine.
- Minor hooliganism (harassing passersby, disturbing the peace, using obscene language) is punishable by arrest or a fine.
- Driving a car or any other vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content over 0.5 ppm is strictly prohibited.
- Failure to obey a lawful order from a police officer will result in administrative arrest or a fine.
- Assault on a public official, as well as resisting arrest, are criminal offenses and are punishable by arrest followed by judicial proceedings.
- Purchasing or possessing narcotic substances is a criminal offense in the country.
- Foreign citizens residing in Latvia are held accountable for any violations of the country's laws equally with Latvian citizens.
Ignorance of the laws does not excuse one from the responsibility for their observance.
Construction of buildings frozen during the crisis has been completed in Latvia.
Real Estate in Latvia
Apartment prices have increased in a year. Real Estate in Latvia
Comparing November this year with last year, we can conclude that prices for apartments without renovation in Riga increased by 2.06%.
Based on the rating compiled for last month, the average apartment without renovation cost 402.5 lats per square meter. Overall, 574 apartment purchase transactions were concluded in November.
The most popular neighborhoods are Teika, Plavnieki, Purvciems, Agenskalns, Imanata, and Zolitude, where one-bedroom apartments cost between 12,600 and 18,900 lats. Two-bedroom apartments cost between 16,800 and 25,200 lats, three-bedroom apartments between 21,000 and 30,100 lats, and four-bedroom apartments between 28,000 and 32,900 lats. Overall, November was a quiet month on the real estate market. Latvians showed the most interest in apartments ranging from 40 to 50 square meters, priced at approximately 21,000 lats.
Buyers were only interested in apartments in good condition, with new radiators and plastic windows. They were more inclined to buy more expensive properties than those that would require complete renovations and consequently higher costs.
Starting in January 2012, real estate taxes will be payable on sheds and other outbuildings.
Local government chairmen are confident that introducing a tax on this type of property will provoke strong outrage and discontent among Latvian residents.
The government plans to introduce a real estate tax on outbuildings and sheds as early as January 1, 2012. The tax rate will range from 0.2% to 0.6% of the property's cadastral value, just like for residential buildings. However, local governments will be able to decide for themselves whether to introduce this type of tax on commercial property or not!
Imants Balodis, Chairman of the Lielvārde Regional Council, is convinced that the state's decision to allow local governments to decide on the tax on sheds and outbuildings themselves was too hasty.
From the very beginning, it was necessary to clearly determine which specific outbuildings and properties are subject to this tax, the number of such structures in local government territories, and whether all these measures are actually in place.