Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Latvia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Riga's property market is included in our pack
Thinking about running an Airbnb in Riga? This guide covers everything you need to know about legality, earnings potential, and what actually works in Latvia's capital.
We break down real numbers on nightly rates, occupancy, and neighborhood performance so you can make an informed decision.
This blog post is updated regularly to reflect the latest data on Riga's short-term rental market and current housing prices in Riga.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Riga.
Insights
- Riga Airbnb hosts earn roughly €1,300 to €1,450 per month on average, but this swings from around €800 in January to over €2,000 in August due to strong Baltic summer tourism.
- The Old Town (Vecrīga) commands the highest nightly rates in Riga at €85 to €130 per night, while Soviet-era districts like Purvciems average just €40 to €70.
- Riga does not impose a citywide cap on rental nights like Amsterdam or Paris, but every listing must register for the municipal tourism levy and report guest stays.
- Around 2,500 active Airbnb listings compete in Riga as of early 2026, with the densest concentration in Vecrīga and the Art Nouveau district near Alberta iela.
- Top-performing Riga hosts achieve 70% to 78% occupancy, roughly 15 percentage points higher than the market average of 62%, mostly through better photos and dynamic pricing.
- The €45 to €80 per night price bracket is the most crowded in Riga, meaning new hosts can find opportunity by targeting families in green areas like Mežaparks or offering premium Art Nouveau stays.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate Riga's Airbnb bookings because the city attracts couples and solo travelers on weekend city breaks rather than large family groups.
- Self-managed Riga Airbnbs typically spend €350 to €650 monthly on operating costs, but adding professional management pushes expenses to €650 to €1,050 per month.
- EU Regulation 2024/1028 is pushing Latvia toward standardized short-term rental registration, so hosts should expect more formal compliance requirements by late 2026.
- Āgenskalns, on Riga's left bank near Kalnciema Quarter, is emerging as a less saturated alternative to the Old Town with nightly rates around €60 to €90.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Riga in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through platforms like Airbnb is legal in Riga, and there is no citywide ban preventing you from hosting guests in residential properties.
The main legal framework comes from Latvia's Tourism Law, which recognizes tourist accommodation as a legitimate service, and this includes short-term rentals when operated properly.
The most important requirement for Airbnb hosts in Riga is registering with the city's municipal tourism levy system, which gives you an official accommodation code and requires you to report guest nights.
Beyond registration, hosts must also declare and pay income tax through Latvia's State Revenue Service, so you need a proper tax setup even if the platform makes everything feel informal.
While specific penalty amounts are not prominently published, operating without registration means you risk fines from municipal authorities and potential tax penalties from VID, Latvia's tax agency.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Latvia.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Latvia.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Riga does not impose a citywide minimum-stay requirement or a maximum nights-per-year cap like you might find in cities such as Amsterdam or London.
These rules do not vary by property type or residency status at the municipal level, so whether you own an apartment in the Old Town or a house in Mežaparks, the same absence of caps applies across all of Riga.
However, individual apartment buildings and housing associations can still restrict short-term rentals through their own bylaws, so hosts should check their building's rules before listing on Airbnb in Riga.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Riga right now?
Riga's municipal framework does not require you to live in a property to list it on Airbnb, so secondary homes and investment properties are eligible for short-term rental.
Owners of second homes can legally operate short-term rentals in Riga as long as they register with the city's tourism levy system and comply with tax obligations.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residences beyond the standard registration process that applies to all tourist accommodation in Riga.
The main difference between renting a primary residence versus a secondary home is practical rather than regulatory: you will need a reliable way to manage the property if you do not live nearby.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Riga
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Riga right now?
Yes, you can operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Riga, and the city's registration system is designed to handle hosts with several properties.
There is no published maximum number of properties one person or entity can list for short-term rental in Riga, so multi-property hosting is structurally permitted.
The key requirement is that each property must be registered separately with the municipal tourism levy system, meaning you will need an individual accommodation code for each unit and must report guest nights for each one.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Riga requires all short-term rental hosts to register with the city's municipal tourism levy system, which issues you a tourist accommodation code that you must display on your listings.
The registration process is handled through Latvia's public e-services portal, and while the timeline is not rigidly defined, most hosts complete registration within a few weeks of submitting their information.
You will need to provide property details and agree to report guest nights and administer the tourism levy, but there is no exam or special qualification required to get approved in Riga.
On the tax side, Latvia's State Revenue Service expects you to declare rental income, which often means registering as economically active or self-employed depending on your situation and scale.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Riga does not publish any official map of banned zones or restricted neighborhoods where Airbnb is prohibited, and the city's tourism levy system applies uniformly across all areas.
The restrictions that do exist in Riga tend to come from individual buildings rather than city zoning, particularly in dense apartment blocks in the Old Town where noise complaints can trigger building association action.
Heritage buildings with strict preservation rules may also impose additional constraints on how you can use and modify your property for guest accommodation in central Riga.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Latvia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Riga in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an entire-home Airbnb listing in Riga is approximately €70 (around $73 USD), while the median sits lower at roughly €60 ($63 USD) because premium listings pull the average upward.
The typical price range covering about 80% of Riga Airbnb listings falls between €45 and €110 per night ($47 to $115 USD), with most standard apartments clustering in the €50 to €80 range.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Riga is location, specifically how close your property is to the Old Town and the famous Art Nouveau district, where walkability to main attractions commands significant premiums.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Riga.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Airbnb nightly prices in Riga vary dramatically from around €40 ($42 USD) in outer residential districts like Purvciems to €130 ($136 USD) in premium Old Town locations, representing more than a threefold difference across the city.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Riga are Vecrīga (Old Town) at €85 to €130 per night, the Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela at €75 to €115 per night, and parts of Centrs near the Central Market at €70 to €100 per night.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Purvciems, Ķengarags, and Imanta at €40 to €70 per night ($42 to $73 USD), though guests still choose these areas for longer stays, budget travel, or when visiting friends and family in those districts.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for entire-home Airbnb listings in Riga is approximately 62%, which translates to roughly 18 to 20 booked nights per month on average.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Riga listings falls between 50% and 70%, with properties below 50% often suffering from poor photos, slow response times, or uncompetitive pricing.
Riga's occupancy rates are solid compared to other Baltic capitals and secondary European cities, reflecting steady tourism recovery and the city's appeal as an affordable weekend city-break destination.
The single biggest factor driving above-average occupancy in Riga is listing quality, meaning professional photography, instant booking, competitive pricing, and consistently strong reviews matter more than simply having a central location.
Don't sign a document you don't understand in Riga
Buying a property over there? We have reviewed all the documents you need to know. Stay out of trouble - grab our comprehensive guide.
What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly gross revenue per Airbnb listing in Riga is approximately €1,350 to €1,450 ($1,410 to $1,515 USD), based on typical occupancy and nightly rates for entire-home rentals.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering about 80% of Riga listings falls between €800 and €1,800 per month ($835 to $1,880 USD), with variation driven primarily by location, property quality, and seasonal timing.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Riga can achieve €2,000 to €2,500 per month ($2,090 to $2,610 USD) during peak summer season, calculated from premium nightly rates around €100 combined with 70% or higher occupancy over 30 days.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Riga.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, low-season monthly revenue for a typical Riga Airbnb runs around €750 to €1,050 ($785 to $1,100 USD), while high-season months bring in €1,800 to €2,400 ($1,880 to $2,510 USD), representing roughly double the earnings during peak periods.
Low season in Riga's Airbnb market runs from November through February, with January and February being the slowest months, while high season spans June through August, with August consistently delivering the strongest bookings and highest nightly rates.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for a self-managed Airbnb in Riga range from €350 to €650 ($365 to $680 USD), while adding professional property management pushes costs to €650 to €1,050 per month ($680 to $1,100 USD).
The single largest expense category for Riga Airbnb hosts is typically cleaning and turnover costs at €80 to €200 per month ($84 to $209 USD) depending on booking frequency, followed closely by utilities including heating, which spikes significantly during cold Latvian winters.
Most Riga hosts should expect to spend 25% to 45% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with self-managers landing at the lower end and those using full-service management reaching the higher end of that range.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Riga.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a self-managed Riga Airbnb is approximately €650 to €900 ($680 to $940 USD), which works out to roughly €22 to €30 ($23 to $31 USD) profit per available night before income taxes.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Riga listings falls between €300 and €900 ($315 to $940 USD), with the lower end reflecting professionally managed properties where management fees eat into margins.
Riga Airbnb hosts typically achieve net profit margins of 45% to 65% of gross revenue when self-managing, dropping to 25% to 45% when using professional management services.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Riga Airbnb listing sits around 35% to 40%, meaning you need roughly 11 to 12 booked nights per month just to cover your operating costs before making any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Riga, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Latvia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Riga as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Riga has approximately 2,400 to 2,800 active Airbnb listings, making it a moderately competitive market by European capital standards.
This number has grown steadily over the past several years as Riga's tourism recovered post-pandemic, with supply increasing by roughly 8% to 12% annually, though growth appears to be stabilizing as the market matures.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Riga are Vecrīga (Old Town), Centrs including the Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela, and Āgenskalns on the left bank near Kalnciema Quarter.
These areas became saturated because they combine walkability to major attractions with strong visual appeal for listing photos, and the Art Nouveau architecture in particular creates a recognizable "Riga experience" that guests search for specifically.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods offering opportunities for new hosts include Teika, the edges of Mežaparks, and parts of Āgenskalns further from the tourist core, where family travelers and longer-stay guests are underserved by existing supply.
What local events spike demand in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Riga include the Riga Marathon in spring, the Riga City Festival in August, major concerts at Arena Riga, and the Christmas market season from late November through December.
During these peak events, Riga Airbnb bookings typically increase by 25% to 50% compared to normal weeks, while nightly rates can jump 30% to 60% higher as supply tightens and hosts adjust pricing upward.
Riga hosts should adjust their pricing and minimum stay requirements at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events to capture early bookers, and they should monitor the Arena Riga concert schedule and marathon registration announcements for advance warning.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Riga achieve occupancy rates of 70% to 78%, meaning they book 21 to 24 nights per month compared to the market average.
Average hosts in Riga typically see occupancy around 55% to 62%, which translates to roughly 17 to 19 booked nights per month, leaving a significant performance gap that top hosts capture through better execution.
New hosts in Riga typically need 3 to 6 months to build enough reviews and optimize their listing to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they invest in professional photos, enable instant booking, and respond quickly to inquiries.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Riga.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Riga right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Riga Airbnb listings is €45 to €80 ($47 to $84 USD), where standard one-bedroom apartments and studios compete intensely on similar features and photos.
White space opportunities for new hosts in Riga exist above €100 per night ($105 USD) for design-forward Art Nouveau apartments with premium photography, and in the €80 to €110 range ($84 to $115 USD) for family-ready two-bedroom units near green areas like Mežaparks or Teika.
To successfully compete in these underserved segments, new Riga hosts should focus on properties with distinctive character such as period architectural details, offer amenities like dedicated workspaces and quality kitchens for longer stays, or target the pet-friendly niche which remains underserved in the city.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Riga
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
What property works best for Airbnb demand in Riga right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Riga as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments get the most bookings in Riga's Airbnb market, followed closely by studios, reflecting the city's strength as a weekend city-break destination for couples and solo travelers.
The estimated booking rate breakdown in Riga is roughly 35% for one-bedrooms, 30% for studios, 25% for two-bedrooms, and 10% for three-bedrooms and larger units.
One-bedrooms perform best in Riga because the city attracts short-stay tourists visiting for 2 to 4 nights to see the Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture, and these travelers rarely need extra sleeping capacity but appreciate having a separate living space.
What property type performs best in Riga in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condos in central locations are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Riga, particularly well-renovated units in the Old Town and Art Nouveau district that photograph beautifully and deliver consistent guest experiences.
Occupancy rates across property types in Riga show apartments averaging 60% to 65%, townhouses around 50% to 58%, and detached houses varying widely from 40% to 60% depending heavily on location and whether they target summer group travel.
Apartments outperform in Riga because the city's tourism is concentrated in the walkable historic core, and guests prioritize proximity to sights over space, making centrally located apartments the most efficient match between what tourists want and what hosts can profitably provide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Riga, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (Tourism) | Latvia's official statistics office providing the baseline for tourism demand data. | We used it to anchor Riga's demand cycle and identify busy versus quiet months. We cross-checked STR occupancy assumptions against official hotel occupancy trends. |
| Central Statistical Bureau (Hotel Occupancy) | Official occupancy data for Riga's accommodation market from Latvia's statistics authority. | We used it as a reality-check on seasonality and market health. We treated it as a benchmark since Airbnb follows similar seasonal patterns. |
| Central Statistical Bureau (House Price Index) | The official house price index series for Latvia tracking property value trends. | We used it to frame whether purchase prices are rising or falling into 2026. We paired it with Riga-specific reports for practical price ranges. |
| Latvia Tourism Law (Likumi.lv) | The official consolidated publication of Latvian legislation. | We used it to define how Latvia treats tourist accommodation and why STRs fall under that umbrella. We explained what is law versus platform practice. |
| Riga City Council Tourism Levy Portal | Riga's official municipal portal explaining the levy and registration process. | We used it to describe what hosts must do in Riga specifically, including registration and reporting. We used its wording to avoid guesswork about the city's process. |
| Riga City Council Binding Regulations | The primary legal document behind Riga's municipal tourism levy. | We used it to confirm the levy is established law and to support explanations of who pays and how it is administered. |
| EU Regulation 2024/1028 (EUR-Lex) | The official EU law database providing the source of truth for the STR regulation. | We used it to explain why registration and ID numbers for STR listings are becoming standardized across the EU. We set expectations for more formal registration by 2026. |
| European Commission STR Summary | The Commission's plain-language summary of the EU STR regulation. | We used it as a reader-friendly companion to the legal text. We cross-referenced it with EUR-Lex to avoid misstatements. |
| AirDNA Riga Overview | One of the most widely used STR data providers, commonly cited in industry analysis. | We used it for Riga's headline STR metrics including occupancy and ADR. We triangulated with other datasets to avoid over-reliance on one vendor. |
| Inside Airbnb Riga | A well-known independent dataset for Airbnb market structure and activity signals. | We used it to sense-check listing counts and typical price signals. We also used it for neighborhood-level analysis of where activity clusters. |
| Airbnb Riga Marketplace | The platform itself, reflecting what guests actually see when searching. | We used it qualitatively for understanding common property types and validating neighborhood labels. We did not treat it as a statistical source. |
| ARCO Real Estate Market Overview | A long-running Baltic real estate firm with recurring market reporting. | We used it for Riga neighborhood price differences per square meter. We inferred which areas need higher nightly rates to work as investments. |
| State Revenue Service (VID) | Latvia's tax authority, the authoritative baseline for tax obligations. | We used it to frame the requirement to declare and pay tax even if platforms feel informal. We paired it with professional summaries for practical explanation. |
| Grant Thornton Latvia Tax Summary | A major audit and tax firm summarizing Latvian tax rates in a structured way. | We used it to confidently state common rental income taxation reference points. We cross-checked the framing against VID's official guidance. |
| Baker McKenzie VAT Resource Hub | A top-tier law firm's reference hub useful for VAT scope summaries. | We used it to support that accommodation services can fall under reduced VAT rates. We treated it as explanatory rather than a substitute for Latvian law. |
| Airbnb Latvia Tax Guide | Platform-published and prepared by an external firm, helpful for practical interpretation. | We used it for understanding what hosts typically do in practice including record-keeping. We cross-checked important points against VID and professional summaries. |
| Latvian Fire Safety Construction Standard | The official legal publication for Latvia's construction and fire safety standard. | We used it to explain why safety compliance matters when hosting strangers in multi-unit buildings. We kept recommendations grounded in actual regulation. |
| Airroi Riga STR Analysis | An established STR analytics platform providing market-specific data and seasonality insights. | We used it to validate seasonal patterns and identify peak versus trough months. We cross-referenced revenue ranges with other data sources. |
| Airbtics Riga Revenue Data | An STR data provider offering annual revenue and listing count estimates. | We used it to triangulate active listing counts and revenue benchmarks. We compared findings with AirDNA and Inside Airbnb for validation. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Latvia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Related blog posts