Latvia to de-Russify ATMs
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The Latvian Saeima has approved amendments to the law on credit institutions, which include a ban on the use of Russian in ATMs of Latvian commercial banks, citing Delfi.
ATMs must now be configured to operate in Latvian (including Latgalian). They may also be set up in the official languages of European Union member states and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, as well as candidate countries.
The amendments also establish minimum requirements to ensure that customers of credit institutions can withdraw cash from their accounts. These changes aim to improve cash accessibility for residents across Latvia.
In Latvia, cashless transactions are increasingly becoming the primary payment method. However, despite the rise in cashless payments, cash remains relevant. According to a survey by the Bank of Latvia, the Payment Radar, cash payments accounted for an average of 23% of everyday transactions in February 2024.
As of June 30, 2023, Latvia had 4.9 ATMs per 10,000 residents, one of the lowest rates in Europe.
The Ministry of Finance believes that measures must be taken in Latvia to ensure sufficient access to cash payment services, as cash should remain a viable alternative to cashless transactions.
Latvia has consistently pursued a policy of de-Russification. Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, schools will gradually offer students one of the official languages of the European Union or another foreign language as a second foreign language, but not Russian.
