Währung und Geld in Riga, Lettland, Banken und Geldautomaten

Prior to 1 January 2014 Latvian currency was the Latvian Lat (LVL; Ls) which was divided into 100 santims.
Notes: in denominations of Ls 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500.
Coins: 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 Santims, and Ls 1 and 2.
Exchange rate of the Latvian Lat (LVL) was set by an official body of Latvian Bank and was updated every morning.

Currently the main currency in Latvia is Euro.

Exchange

Be careful when you are exchanging your currency into Euros in Latvia, as there are many exchange buros in Riga which do tend to sell them at a higher price. That’s why we would recommend withdrawing cash form the nearby ATMs or exchange currency at one of the bank branches.

Of course in situations when you cant find a bank nearby, exchanging your currency in a little buro will be the only option, but make sure you double check the currency rate for any hidden management fees as every buro is different in operation.

Cash
It is still quite common in Latvia to pay cash. It is recommended to carry some amount of cash because there are places that do not accept Credit Cards especially smaller shops and cafes.

Banks
Normal banking hours are Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00. Some branches exist in Supermarkets and have extended hours and are open on Saturday.

Bureaux de change
Bureaux de change can be found all over the city (including inside shops and hotels) and usually have longer opening hours. The exchange rates can vary considerably and commission charges can be higher than in banks.

Credit cards
Credit cards are widely accepted: Visa and Master Card most widely used cards, but American Express, Diners Club and JCB are also accepted.

ATMs
ATMs which are accessible 24/7 can be found throughout the city and shopping centres.

Traveller check
Travellers Checks are not commonly used in Latvia. You can exchange them in local banks.

Places to exchange currency
To avoid problems with some exchange bureaus in Riga that sometimes overcharge on currency exchange, we strongly recommend exchanging your currency while in banks (either main client centres or smaller branches). Of course in situations when you cant find a bank nearby, exchanging your currency in a little buro will be the only option, but make sure you double check the currency rate and for any hidden management fees.

Riga has got a wide selection of banks across main points of arrival: airport, train station, town centre and old town. We put together a list of banks across those regions for you:

Banks in Riga town centre: