# What you need to travel to Latvia: a checklist

> Before you set off for Latvia, make sure you have everything. Here is the essential checklist.

Before you set off for Latvia, make sure you have everything. Here is the essential checklist.

## Checklist

- Valid passport/ID (Schengen for most of the EU)
- An eSIM-compatible phone + MerrSIM eSIM
- A bank card (little cash needed)
- Flight/hotel bookings on your phone
- Travel insurance (optional but advised)

## Get online at the airport

Install a MerrSIM eSIM for Latvia (from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99) before departure and you’re online the moment you land at Riga International Airport — no WiFi hunt, no roaming.

[MerrSIM — eSIM Latvia](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-latvia)

## Does your phone support eSIM?

Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in Latvia.

## No registration, no shop queue

Many EU countries require identity verification for local SIM cards, which means a queue, a shop and sometimes even a local address. A travel eSIM skips all of that: it is sold as an international data service, with no passport and no contract. You have it ready before you set off for Latvia, so you land and are online immediately — no time wasted at the airport and no risk of surprise roaming bills.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Latvia, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## Common mistakes to avoid

Three mistakes often spoil the start of a trip. First: buying the eSIM at the last minute at the airport, when you have no WiFi to install it — do it at home. Second: forgetting to switch on data roaming for the eSIM line, which makes it look like it is not working. Third: leaving mobile data on your home SIM, which racks up roaming charges. Check these three and your connection in Latvia will be trouble-free.

## Coverage and 5G speed in Latvia

The eSIM connects to the main local operators, so you get the same coverage as a local, including 4G/LTE and 5G where available. In the cities and tourist areas of Latvia the signal is strong and stable; in very remote villages or mountains it can weaken, as with any operator. Hotspot is included, so you can share the connection with your laptop or a travel companion at no extra cost.

## FAQ

### How do I get online as soon as I arrive in Latvia?
Activate a MerrSIM eSIM for Latvia (from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99) by QR before departure; you connect automatically at the airport.


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Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-28  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/cfare-te-duhet-latvia-en