Short-term rental in Latvia: rules and advice for owners

Short lets became tourist accommodation

Latvia changed its approach in the summer of 2026. Amendments to the Tourism Law, in force since July 2026, bring any residential unit offered for public booking, whether through platforms, classified sites or social media, within the definition of a tourist accommodation establishment (tūristu mītne). The owner therefore inherits duties that already applied to guesthouses: collecting guest information, completing declarations for foreign guests, supplying data and statistics to state institutions, and meeting fire-safety and building requirements. Guest details may be gathered electronically.

National law, local practice

The framework is set by the Saeima and the Ministry of Economics, which is responsible for tourism. Municipalities do not currently run their own licence or night cap for apartments; their influence comes through building use, local charges and, in coastal towns, the resort status rules that the same amendments simplified.

Riga and Jurmala

Both cities on our list sit in the registration and reporting group: letting is allowed, but only with the tourist-accommodation obligations described above. Riga is a year-round capital market. Jurmala, the seaside resort, depends heavily on the summer, so peak-season operations and the quieter months call for two different plans.

Taxes and formalities

Rental income must be declared to the State Revenue Service, and the choice between private letting and a registered economic activity changes how it is taxed; take local advice before the first booking. Booking platforms now pass host data to tax authorities under EU transparency rules, so invoices, guest records and declarations need to tell the same story. Also check whether your apartment owners' association has adopted rules on tourist stays.

What we would do in your place

Treat the flat like a small guesthouse from day one: a documented check-in capturing the required guest data, a fire-safety review, and a clear filing routine for declarations. Since July 2026, informal hosting is simply no longer an option in Latvia. Owners of several flats should keep a separate file for each one, from guest records to safety checks. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.