Cats in Latvia: rules and travel
Dogs, cats and ferrets are microchipped by a vet and registered in the state pet database, with exemptions for some indoor cats. Dogs born after 31 August 2023 may not be chained, and Riga charges a yearly dog fee.
Municipalities set local fees and leash rules, for example Riga's dog fee.
Registration and microchip
Cats must be microchipped and registered in the State database. Exempt: cats that are not bred, sold or transferred, not boarded, not shown, and do not roam beyond the owner's territory, and unowned cats.[2]
Compulsory from 1 July 2024 for cats outside the exemptions above, by four months of age according to LV Portals.[2]
Keeping rules
A free-roaming cat must be sterilised, microchipped and registered. A sterilised cat over six months may go outside the owner's territory if chipped and registered.[3]
Travelling to Latvia with a cat
Latvia applies Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 since 22 April 2026. Unvaccinated animals under 12 weeks are not allowed in, and animals aged 12 to 16 weeks are refused if the rabies vaccination does not yet meet the validity rules.[4]
Not confirmed yet: From outside the EU, Rabies antibody test, Quarantine. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- lvportals.lv/skaidrojumi/394698-stajas-speka-bistamu-sunu-turesanas-noteikumi-2026 (official)
- likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/333571 (official)
- eng.lsm.lv/article/society/environment/26.06.2024-stricter-pet-keeping-rules-in-force-as-o (secondary source)
- pvd.gov.lv/en/non-commercial-movement-pets-latvia-dogs-cats-and-ferrets (official)