Quick answer: +371 is Latvia. Every Latvian number has 8 digits after +371. Mobiles start with 2 and landlines with 6. There is no leading 0 to drop. Example:
+371 2612 3456.
How to dial Latvia
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +371 + 8 digits |
| US or Canada landline | 011 371 + 8 digits |
| UK, Ireland or Germany landline | 00 371 + 8 digits |
Latvia has no trunk prefix. The 8 digits you were given are exactly what you dial after +371, with nothing added or removed: 6712 3456 becomes +371 6712 3456.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles are 8 digits starting with 2, written like 2612 3456. You can't tell the network from the number.
Landlines are 8 digits starting with 6. The next digits point to the region, but they are part of the number, not a separate area code. Liepāja numbers start with 634, Ventspils with 636 and Daugavpils with 654.
Codes that get mixed up with +371
+370 is Lithuania and +372 is Estonia, the other two Baltic states. One wrong last digit sends the call to a neighbouring country.
Time difference
Latvia is on UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer. It changes its clocks on the same dates as the rest of the EU.
| Where you are | Your clocks on summer time | Your clocks on standard time |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | Latvia is 7h ahead | Latvia is 7h ahead |
| US West Coast | Latvia is 10h ahead | Latvia is 10h ahead |
| UK or Ireland | Latvia is 2h ahead all year | |
| Germany | Latvia is 1h ahead all year | |
| Sydney | Latvia is 9h behind | Latvia is 7h behind |
The US changes its clocks on different dates from Europe, so for two to three weeks in March and about one week in late October or early November the gap with the US is one hour shorter. A 9 AM call from New York reaches Riga at 4 PM for most of the year, and at 3 PM during those weeks.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
FAQ
I have an old 7-digit Latvian number. How do I dial it?
Latvian numbers gained an eighth digit in 2008: a 6 was added in front of landlines and a 2 in front of mobiles. Add the right digit and dial +371 followed by all 8 digits. If it still fails, the number may no longer be in use.
Can I call a short Latvian service number from abroad?
No. Short numbers starting with 1, used by phone companies and other services, only work inside Latvia. Some of these services also publish a regular 8-digit number you can call from abroad.