Alcohol purchases prohibited after hours in Latvia, effective from Friday onward
Latvia Implements Strict Alcohol Regulations to Combat High Consumption
In an effort to address Latvia's exceptionally high per-capita alcohol consumption, the government has introduced new regulations on the advertising and selling of alcoholic beverages, effective from August 1, 2025. These regulations cover all selling platforms, including physical outlets, online shops, and digital apps.
Under the new rules, retail sales of alcohol are now limited to specific hours. Shops, supermarkets, and other retail outlets can sell alcohol between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, and between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. This is a reduction by two hours daily compared to previous rules.
Online alcohol sales face a mandatory six-hour delay before delivery. Couriers cannot immediately hand over alcohol, aiming to reduce impulsive purchases and high-risk consumption.
Price promotions and discount advertising of alcohol are completely banned across all media types. This includes any “2-for-1” deals or loyalty-program discounts. The advertising of alcohol prices and discounts is still allowed only on the producer's premises or at the producer's points of sale, such as wineries and breweries.
All alcohol-selling venues must comply with these sales hour restrictions. Bars/restaurants wishing to operate beyond these hours must re-register their licenses by the end of 2025.
New requirements mandate visible health warnings about alcohol harms at all retail points of sale. In addition, alcohol consumption inside gambling venues (slots, gaming tables) is prohibited under these new rules.
The regulations aim at long-term public health improvements and cover all selling platforms: physical outlets, online shops, and digital apps. No conflicting data was found on these points; these reforms currently apply specifically in Latvia as of August 2025.
Sales promotions offering multiple units of alcoholic beverages at a lower price are prohibited. Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold in retail outlets for on-site consumption. The timing for alcohol delivery after online purchase remains unchanged at no sooner than six hours after ordering.
Discounts on alcoholic beverages as part of a consumer loyalty scheme are also prohibited. Retail outlets are required to display a prominent sign warning about the adverse health effects of alcoholic beverages. The ban on advertising alcohol prices and discounts, except on the producer's premises or at the producer's points of sale, started on August 1.
These new regulations are part of a national effort to curb Latvia’s exceptionally high per-capita alcohol consumption and its harms. The changes will hopefully lead to significant improvements in public health over the long term.
The new policy-and-legislation introduced by the Latvian government aims to combat the country's high alcohol consumption through strict regulations on alcohol sales. These regulations, effective from August 1, 2025, cover politics surrounding general-news related to alcohol, including advertising, selling, and consumption.
