30.10.2013

Latvijas Pasts is primarily a postal services provider, but, as a socially responsible company with the largest network of branches in the country, has become involved in the euro introduction process in locations where people have no other cash exchange possibilities. Out of the total of 618 Latvijas Pasts locations, cash exchange will be available only in the 302 post offices defined in the Cabinet of Ministers’ Regulation on the postal services provision locations for exchange of lats to euros.

It is possible to conveniently find the nearest post office for cash exchange by entering an address at Latvijas Pasts website www.eiropasts.lv, which also includes a list of all 302 post offices by region and an interactive map. The cash exchange post offices can also be determined by calling Latvijas Pasts info lines 67008001 or 27008001, and the list will also be available in informative brochures in all Latvijas Pasts post offices. The post offices offering cash exchange will be identified with a special sticker on the door; a sample can be viewed here.

Lats will be exchanged to euros at the official exchange rate - LVL 1.00 for EUR 1.42. The free exchange of lats to euros at the 302 Latvijas Pasts post offices will begin on the first working day of 2014 -January 2 - and will continue until March 31. Latvijas Pasts will allow people to conveniently exchange cash already on the first Saturday of 2014 -January 4 - when all 302 post offices will work according to Friday’s schedule, including the post offices that are normally closed or work shorter hours on Saturdays. Latvijas Pasts invites people to use this opportunity and exchange lats to euros at the very beginning of the new year.

According to the provisions of the Euro Implementation Procedure Law, Latvijas Pasts has established the procedure for successful exchange of amounts exceeding LVL 3,000. To exchange an amount in excess of LVL 3,000 at one of the 302 Latvijas Pasts offices, it will be necessary to make a reservation at the office where the exchange is desired. It will be necessary to visit the respective post office with an identity document three days in advance and file an application, indicating the amount to be exchanged. Three days later, upon presenting an identity document, it will be possible to exchange the indicated amount at the same post office.

Latvijas Pasts reminds that the safest way of transitioning to the euro is an account in the Postal Payments System, as in that case it will not be necessary to go to the post office and return with cash savings in the beginning of 2014. All funds in accounts of the Postal Payments System will be automatically converted to euros. It is possible to open an account free of charge at any Latvijas Pasts office, and it allows making money transfers to a natural or legal person’s account both within the Postal Payments System and at a bank - both in Latvia and abroad. The account also allows convenient payments for rent and utilities, to receive pensions or benefits.

The list of the 302 Latvijas Pasts post offices offering cash exchange is available here.

About SJSC Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly State-owned company with more than 4,200 employees

Additional information:
Agija Tērauda
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: +371 67608505
E-mail: agija.terauda@pasts.lv
twitter.com/latvijas_pasts; facebook.com/latvijas.pasts