Latvia has introduced a new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system, requiring certain travelers to provide detailed information online before entering the country. The declaration must include the purpose of travel, planned stay details, travel route, contact information, and any elected positions held by the traveller or their relatives. Additionally, it will require disclosure of election candidacy, previous or current state or local government roles, and past service in the Armed Forces, Special Services, Border Guard, Customs, Interior, Justice, or Foreign Affairs services.

Once submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of the form. However, this confirmation is not an entry permit but a compulsory declaration. Authorities warn that any omission or misrepresentation in the form could result in refusal of entry. Failure to comply or providing false information could lead to administrative fines of up to EUR 2,000, as outlined in the decree approved by the Saeima in April.

The new ETA system is designed to help Latvian authorities identify potential high-risk travelers before they arrive. This pre-screening will allow border police, security services, and other government agencies to access relevant information quickly, enhancing national security. The measure forms part of Latvia’s broader border control and public safety strategy.

The ETA will function independently from the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to begin at the end of 2026. While ETIAS will apply across all 30 Schengen area countries, the Latvian ETA will only be valid for entry into Latvia and will not grant entry approval — it is strictly a data collection process.

Under ETIAS, visa-exempt travelers will need to register online, pay EUR 20, and receive authorisation valid for up to three years or until passport expiration. This European system is aimed at streamlining travel security checks across the Schengen zone. The Latvian ETA, on the other hand, serves national interests by focusing specifically on entry into Latvia.

At present, there is no official statement on how the Latvian ETA and ETIAS will operate together. A temporary overlap between the two systems is possible once ETIAS comes into effect. Until then, travellers should ensure they understand and comply with the requirements for Latvia’s ETA to avoid delays, penalties, or refusal of entry.

Viral Reddit Post: A foreign tourist’s post on Reddit has started a big debate online after he shared his bitter experience in India. The traveller, who mentioned in the comments that he is from Switzerland, said that within just two days of his trip, he came across several scam attempts that left him upset and questioning whether he would ever suggest India as a travel spot to anyone. In his post, he explained that it was his second visit to India and he was excited about the energy and new experiences. But things changed when an Uber driver allegedly misled him by saying the road was blocked due to a landslide and took him to a hotel where people tried to overcharge him.

The tourist refused to fall into the trap and managed to get another taxi, but the experience ruined his plans for the night. Sharing his frustration, he wrote, “I would not tell my mom, my sister, or my friends to come here. It’s just so many scams going on and many people have bad intentions towards you.”

His strong words quickly went viral, with some internet users agreeing with him and others pointing out that scams are common in many countries and that precautions are always necessary.

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Watch The Viral Post:

I enjoy traveling in India, but I can’t recommend it to anyone.
byu/Gurumanyo inindia

The post garnered significant likes, comments and views from Reddit users. One user wrote, “Bro they are ready to scam their fellow countrymen, what makes you think they won’t scam you? For them you are just a rich customer with little knowledge.” “There is zero law enforcement across all sectors. No one is scared and everyone can get away paying a small bribe if they are caught,” a second user wrote.

“There are too many people there with minimal resources. People scamming others is, unfortunately, just an everyday thing. It’s just a way of life, but on the other side, there are a ton of really good people, too,” wrote a third user. “Sorry for your experience, mate!! If it’s any consolation, we fellow Indians are not immune to these scams either,” added a fourth user.

Scottish train operator ScotRail has scrapped peak fares on all services operating from Monday, 1 September.

The move, which was announced by the Scottish government earlier this year, means that passengers now pay the same fare regardless of when they travel.

In a statement, ScotRail said that removing peak fares would mean “significant savings” for travellers with some fares being cut by almost 50 per cent, including those between the country’s largest cities Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Previously, ScotRail’s peak fares applied to weekday travel before 9.15am and on some services between 4.42pm and 6.30pm.

A peak return ticket between Edinburgh and Glasgow had been priced at £32.60 but has been reduced to a flat rate of £16.80, which represents a saving of 48 per cent.

Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish cabinet secretary for transport, said: “We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure but we know that many are still struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“By removing peak fares, we are making ticketing more simple and more straightforward while at the same time supporting a shift towards sustainable public transport, protecting the climate, and saving people money.”

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail’s managing director, added: “Travelling by train remains one of the most convenient ways to get around, and with simpler, more affordable fares, we hope to see many more people choose ScotRail.”

ScotRail previously scrapped peak fares in 2023 as part of a pilot scheme, but this ended a year ago when Scottish ministers said it had only been a “limited success”. The Scottish government said it would reverse this decision in May and once again axe peak train fares from September.