Money & Payments in Riga (2026)

Currency: EUR

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: riga-trip.com, atmfeesaver.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Latvia uses the euro exclusively; no currency exchange needed if coming from other eurozone countries (Estonia, Lithuania)
Carry €30–50 in cash for markets, small vendors, and public toilets; €30–50 is adequate for most weekends, €50–80 if planning market shopping or local neighborhood visits
Avoid street currency-exchange offices in Old Town; use bank ATMs or official bank branches instead
Always decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and pay in EUR to avoid poor rates and extra fees
Major bank ATMs (Swedbank, SEB) are generally fee-free for foreign cardholders; blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs are known for high fees—compare before withdrawing
Public transport ticketing now accepts contactless card and app payments; cash from driver is no longer accepted
Swedbank ATM near Kalki iela and other central bank locations are recommended for low-fee withdrawals
Leave tips in cash when possible; paying by card and adding a tip to the bill is less common and less preferred by staff

Currency

EUR

ATM Details

Language: Machines offer Latvian and English
Availability: Ubiquitous; found in city centers, shopping malls, supermarkets, and near transit hubs
Withdrawal Limits: Typically €250–€600 per transaction for foreign visitors; locally issued cards may allow up to €850

Fee Structure

Bank ATMs: Most bank ATMs (Swedbank, SEB, Citadele) charge no fee to foreign cardholders for withdrawals
Home Bank Fees: Your home bank may charge international ATM fees—verify before travel
Independent ATMs: Some independent ATMs (notably Euronet) impose transaction fees; always check before withdrawing
Dynamic Currency Conversion: Avoid 'Accept Conversion' prompts; choose to be charged in EUR for better rates

Major Bank Networks

Swedbank
SEB
Citadele

Tipping Norms

Bars: Not expected; tip jar may be present for loose change
Taxis: Not expected; rounding up to nearest euro is customary but optional
Hotels: Not expected, but appreciated for porters and cleaners
Restaurants: Optional; 5–10% for good service if not already included. Service charges labeled 'Serviss' may appear on bill—if present, tipping is not expected
General Culture: Tipping is not ingrained in Latvian culture and is entirely at personal discretion; no offense taken if omitted

Card Acceptance

Mobile Payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted at terminal-equipped venues throughout the city
Visa Mastercard: Widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, shops, and transport; contactless payments standard
American Express: Less commonly accepted; surcharges may apply in some venues
Acceptance Notes: Urban Riga has high card acceptance; markets and small vendors may be cash-only

Banking

Overview: Modern, well-regulated banking system with strong emphasis on financial stability. EU-aligned with supervision by Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC). Many banks offer English-language support.
Account Types: Personal/current accounts for salary and daily transactions; savings accounts; corporate accounts; multicurrency accounts (popular with expats)
Online Banking: Standard feature at most banks. Access 365 days/year. Multicurrency options available.
English Support: Most bank branches in city centre have English-speaking staff. Larger branches more reliable than smaller ones.
Digital Banking Options: Monese (online bank for non-residents, multicurrency support), Paysera (instant transfers up to €15,000 within SEPA), Wise (international payments).

Major Banks

Swedbank
Characteristics
Largest bank, 50+ branches and 400+ ATMs, widest network in Latvia
SEB
Characteristics
Major player with extensive branch presence in Riga
Luminor
Characteristics
Major player with extensive branch presence in Riga
Citadele
Characteristics
Significant presence with competitive account packages

Account Opening Fees

Typical Range Max: €250
Typical Range Min: €100
Note: Non-residents frequently charged this fee; costs vary by bank

Account Opening For Non Residents

Possible: Yes
Timeline: Can take days to weeks depending on verification requirements.
Required Documents: Valid passport/national ID; proof of residence (if applicable); travel document with entry stamp for visa-regime countries; proof of income/deposit source (may be required by some banks).
Recommended Approach: Visit bank in person to expedite process. Online opening possible but physical branch visit required to collect card and complete final forms.
Document Inspection Fee: €200
Charged by some banks for non-EEA documents

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Riga

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Riga