Latvia LV
EASA rules apply with a cheap annual registration and weight-tiered insurance minimums, but a 50 km-deep belt along the eastern border with Russia and Belarus has had nightly drone restrictions (20:00-07:00) since October 2025, extended indefinitely and reinforced with new anti-drone defences through 2026.
Your plan
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1 thing to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Latvia
Reported annual registration fee of EUR 5 via CAA Latvia. Fee: 5 EUR. Allow about 1 day before your trip.
- Remote ID may apply
Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones.
- Bringing your drone in
EU traveller allowance: goods up to €430 (air/sea) or €300 (land) from outside the EU are duty- and VAT-free; above that, import VAT (21%) and possibly duty apply. Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Before each flight
Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight · Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people · A 50 km-deep belt along the eastern border with Russia and Belarus, up to 6,000 m altitude, has had nightly drone restrictions from 20:00 to 07:00 since October 2025 (originally a full 24-hour closure from 11-18 September 2025); this has been extended indefinitely, so treat the whole border region as off-limits at night and check current NOTAMs before any daytime flight there too
Flying
- Max 120 m above ground, always in visual line of sight
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people
- A 50 km-deep belt along the eastern border with Russia and Belarus, up to 6,000 m altitude, has had nightly drone restrictions from 20:00 to 07:00 since October 2025 (originally a full 24-hour closure from 11-18 September 2025); this has been extended indefinitely, so treat the whole border region as off-limits at night and check current NOTAMs before any daytime flight there too
- Latvia is actively strengthening anti-drone/counter-UAS defences on its Russia and Belarus borders through 2026 in response to repeated drone incursions
- Minimum pilot age is 18 (16 only under special conditions), stricter than the EASA baseline in most other member states
- Registration required from 250 g or for any drone with a camera
Commercial use: The Open category covers most low-risk commercial work away from the eastern border region; any flight plan there needs to account for the standing night restriction and heightened military presence.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g or camera) Reported annual registration fee of EUR 5 via CAA Latvia. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online, from 250 g) EU A1/A3 online certificate. Free online training and a 40-question exam (75% pass mark, 40 minutes), valid across the EASA area for 5 years. Minimum age to pilot is 18 (16 only under special conditions). |
| Remote ID | Some classes Direct Remote ID is required for C1, C2 and C3 class drones and in some geographical zones. |
| Insurance | Depends (min. Tiered by weight: EUR 150,000 for 250 g-1.5 kg, EUR 500,000 for 1.5-5 kg, EUR 1,000,000 above 5 kg.) Sub-250 g drones are exempt from the insurance requirement but cover is still recommended. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Depends EASA operator registration and A1/A3 certificates from other EASA states are valid in Latvia; visitors already registered elsewhere do not need to re-register. Visitors should avoid the eastern border region with Russia and Belarus, especially at night, given the standing restrictions in force since October 2025. |
Import & export
- EU traveller allowance: goods up to €430 (air/sea) or €300 (land) from outside the EU are duty- and VAT-free; above that, import VAT (21%) and possibly duty apply.
- CE marking required for sale in the EU/Latvia.
- Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- No customs within the EU single market.
- Duty rate on drones imported from outside the EU depends on the TARIC tariff code; not separately confirmed for Latvia.
Export
- EU dual-use export controls apply to professional drones with long range, autonomy or heavy payload capacity, an area of heightened attention given Latvia's border security posture.
Costs
| Operator registration | 5 EUR Validity: 1 year |
|---|---|
| EU A1/A3 online certificate | Free |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 21 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Start flying in Latvia Residents
- Register as an operator
Register with CAA Latvia for EUR 5/year.
- Pass the A1/A3 test
Free online training and exam, valid across the EASA area for 5 years.
- Get insurance if 250 g or more
Minimum cover ranges from EUR 150,000 to EUR 1,000,000 depending on drone weight.
- Check border restrictions
Avoid the eastern border belt with Russia/Belarus, particularly overnight (20:00-07:00), where drone restrictions have been in force since October 2025.
Sources
- EASA – Civil drones (Open category) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- LSM - Latvia will maintain airspace restrictions along eastern border until further notice · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- US News - Latvia to Strengthen Anti-Drone Defences Along Its Russia and Belarus Border · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−4
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Night flight restricted−3
- Visitors must register locally−5
- Duty + VAT ≈ 26 %−16
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works