In emergency situations abroad the local authorities are responsible also for foreign nationals staying in the country. In order to receive urgent assistance, contact the rescue authorities: police, fire and rescue service, ambulance. In large-scale crisis follow the local media and observe the instructions provided by the local authorities.
If consular assistance is needed for Latvian nationals or unrepresented EU citizens abroad, Latvian diplomatic/consular missions should be contacted in the following emergency situations:
- loss of travel document
- detention or arrest,
- illness or accident,
- death
- criminal offence,
- relief and repatriation in a large-scale crisis,
- establishment of out-of-family care or adoption.
Latvian nationals having an emergency in a country without a Latvian mission can receive consular assistance at the diplomatic/consular mission of any other EU Member State.
To receive information about consular assistance in emergency situations, please contact the Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, phone: +371 67015905.
During non-working hours, please call the emergency service phone number of the Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +371 26337711 (also available on WhatsApp and Viber) or send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Issuance of a Return Certificate
A return certificate is a temporary travel document which may be received by a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen or a stateless person who has a valid residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, or a refugee who has been recognised as such in accordance with the Asylum Law. This document certifies the identity of the person under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia and replaces the travel document (passport or identity card) issued by the authorities of the Republic of Latvia.
The return certificate shall entitle the recipient to cross the State border of the Republic of Latvia once, return to Latvia or the State of permanent residence. The purpose of return certificate is for direct journey home only, this document is not intended for travel to other countries.
After crossing the State border of the Republic of Latvia, you must hand over the return certificate to any department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior and apply for new passport of the Republic of Latvia there.
The return certificate shall be issued as an emergency document to a person who is temporarily staying abroad in order to return to his permanent residence. Latvian nationals, whose permanent place of residence is in a foreign state and who have lost their documents, shall apply for new passport and/or eID card at the respective representation of Latvia.
The document is valid for the duration of the respective journey and may not exceed 30 days.
In order to request a return certificate at the Embassy, the following documents shall be submitted:
1. Application form. In case the return certificate is required for a minor under the age of 15, the parents must fill out the application;
2. The invalid passport of a citizen or non-citizen of the Republic of Latvia, or an identity card or any document, or a copy of the document certifying the identity of the person (if any is at the disposal of the person);
3. If the passport / eID card is stolen or lost: a written explanation of the person regarding the circumstances of the theft, loss or destruction of the personal document and a police statement (if it is possible to obtain one);
4. Two passport size photos in the format of 35x45 mm;
5. Payment for the issuance of a return certificate in amount of 15.00 EUR.
Return Certificate in Iceland
In Iceland, return certificates for Latvian nationals are issued by the Latvian Honorary Consul in Iceland Karl Georg Sigurbjörnsson.
Please contact the honorary consul prior submitting documents for return certificate:
Phone: +354 699 3030
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Languages of communication: English and Icelandic
The Honorary Consul's offense is at: Lækjargata 4, 2 nd floor, in Reykjavik.