Accommodation

Finding a home is easy in Lithuania. Whether renting or buying, you’ll find a huge variety of properties to choose from at a price that more than suits your pocket.

Renting

When renting in Lithuania, the use of contracts is a standard practise. Contracts that outline the length of residence as more than 12 months must be in writing and can be fixed term or on-going. These are usually signed between the 2 parties; however, it is possible to have confirmation from a notary. A 1-3 month deposit is placed, which is returned after contract expiry or termination.

Buying

Purchasing with a loan

The process of buying an apartment or house is fairly standardized across Europe, and Lithuania is no different. Once you have found your new home, you need to arrange a loan with your bank. After this has been done, you’ll need to sign a notarized contract with the seller and register the contract at the Official Registry Centre. The last stage is to submit the ownership certificate to your bank, which will then process the final stages. Voila, new home.

Purchasing without a loan

This process is a little different. Once you’ve found a place you like, you’ll normally first need to provide a 2% – 8% deposit. After that, you’ll need to visit a notary along with the seller, where the contract is officially signed. Then, after a visit to the Official Registry Centre where you’ll submit your contract and receive the ownership certificate, the property will be all yours.

Useful links

You can search for an apartment yourself, here are a few major websites:

• „Aruodas“
• „Domoplius“

Also if you would like to get some help, check real estate agencies:

• „Ober Haus“
• „Capital“
• „Remax“
• „Pamario-NT“
• „Laurus“
• „Resident“
• „Latava“
• „Juda“

Utilities

Each household is, of course, required to pay utilities fees, and these vary a little from municipality to municipality. Whether utilities are included in your rent or paid separately will depend on your rental agreement. Utility fees, including those for electricity, heating, internet & TV, waste disposal and water, can all be paid easily online using e-banking or you can pay in the post office, at the supermarket, or in most kiosks.

Declaring your place of residence

Once you have secured accommodation, you are required to officially declare your new place of residence at the designated local governmental institution. This then makes you eligible to receive various services, such as childcare.

If you are not the property owner, it is essential that you obtain written consent that you are able to use the rented address as your declared place of residence. Read more about declaring your place of residence here.

Private childcare

If you’re in need of private childcare, professional nannies can be found through agencies or individually. See more information on private childcare in various cities here.

Kindergartens

A wide variety of options are on offer for parents of pre-school age children. Public and private kindergartens are available across the country, with services given in a range of languages (including English, French and Russian). You should be aware that it is a requirement that children attend a pre-school group for at least 1 year before attending primary school. Children can begin attending private kindergartens from the age of 1, and public ones from 18 months old. Kindergartens are usually open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, with many late groups also offered.

Prices range from €150 – €600 a month, with municipalities providing financial support to private kindergarten users.

See more information about kindergartens in:

• Vilnius
• Kaunas
• Klaipėda

Schools

Primary school
Primary education is provided for children from the age of 6 or 7 until 11. Public Schools are free; the registration process is completed with your local school.

Secondary School
Secondary education in Lithuania is provided for children aged 7 to 18 and is divided into 12 classes in total. Education is compulsory for 10 classes, but continuing through classes 11 and 12 is standard. It is possible to study the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Lithuania.

To complete your secondary education in Lithuania, it is necessary to pass a Lithuanian language and literature exam, and at least one other chosen subject. Whilst compulsory, the Lithuanian language exam can be tailored to the ability level of the child, based on their schooling. International students who study on the IB program will also be required to take a Lithuanian exam at the level taught for IB.

More information on schools in:

• Vilnius
• Kaunas
• Klaipėda 

Schooling for children with disabilities

Children with disabilities are accepted for public schooling at no cost between the ages of 7 and 21.
Please see more information about schooling for children with disabilities in:

• Vilnius
• Kaunas 
• Klaipėda

Universities and colleges

A total of 42 universities and colleges, both public and private, offer a wider range of degrees and other higher education courses.

Applications can be completed online. Applicants from EU and EEA countries can apply for both funded and non-funded places. Application processes are overseen by LAMA BPO.

Tuition fees at public universities and colleges range from €1000-5000 per year, depending on the course. Scholarships are awarded to students with especially high marks. Bachelor’s courses take between 3 to 5 years to complete, depending on the study programme. A course in Medicine takes 6 years, while Master’s degrees take between 1 and 2 years to complete.

International students should apply directly to their university of choice as early as possible, with final deadlines in July. Further information is available here.

Recognition of qualification
For recognition of qualifications obtained abroad, you should consult the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education.

Recognition of doctoral qualifications is conducted by the Lithuanian Academics Institution.

Extra-curricular activities

With green cities and a vast array of after-school clubs and classes on offer, you‘ll find your child has much more for to do with their free time than sit at home and watch TV.  Whatever’s their thing, whether it‘s sports, arts, culture, music, cooking, languages, business, even robotics, they‘ll be able to find a club or group that‘s dedicated to it. Many activities are even offered through the child’s school. More information can be found here. Some information may not be available in English, but you can email the Youth Centre at info@lvjc.lt  for more information.

The social insurance system

 Employer and employee contributions to social insurance system are calculated as a percentage of the salary paid to the employee, and contributions are automatically deducted from the salary payment of anyone in formal employment.

If you are working under a working contract, you are covered for all of the following:

• Sickness insurance
• Maternity insurance
• Unemployment insurance
• Occupational accident insurance
• Pension insurance
• Health insurance

Read more about it here.

Compulsory health insurance

Once you have a temporary or permanent residence permit and start working in formal employment, you will be able to receive all public medical services free of charge. More information can be found here.

Once you have received confirmation of your public health insurance, all you need to do is choose a healthcare centre to register in. These include local healthcare clinics (called “Poliklinika”), primary healthcare centers, and family medical centers. Once you have made your choice, you need to register in person at that institution and choose a family doctor. Here‘s a list of the clinics in:

• Vilnius
• Kaunas
• Klaipėda

Appointments to see your family doctor can usually be made online or by phone, as well as in person.

Your family doctor can issue medical prescriptions that are valid for 10 days: the cost of some medication is 100% covered by the state. When they are given a prescription, pharmacies must provide customers with the cheapest option, and a list of all medication whose costs are covered by the state is available in each pharmacy.

Private healthcare

A wide variety of private healthcare options are also available in Lithuania. You can register in person, online or by phone at one of the many private medical centers operating in Lithuania’s major cities. Information on various medical centers is available here.

Dentistry services are also provided by private medical centers in each city. For more info see here.

If you get ill

There are 3 steps to follow if you get ill:

• Visit your family doctor, who can declare you un-fit for work and issue an illness certificate.
• Inform your employer and provide them with your illness certificate.
• If you wish to receive statutory sick pay, you can apply for this at SODRA.

If you have any questions, don‘t hesitate to ask your employer.

Maternity / Paternity leave

If you want to go on maternity / paternity leave, you need to visit your doctor who can issue a birthing / maternity leave certificate after the 30th week of pregnancy. Once you have you have your certificate, you need to inform your employer and provide them with the certificate.

Maternity leave is calculated according to your salary. You can choose to take 1, 2 or 3 years maternity leave. If you choose 1 year, 100% of your salary will be paid for that year. If you choose 2 years, you will receive 70% of your salary for the 1st year and 40% for the 2nd. If you choose 3 years, the pattern is the same as 2 years, but with the 3rd year unpaid. Paternity leave covers 100% of your salary for one month after the child is born. Paternity leave can be extended but is unpaid after the first month.

Traveling in EU countries

Anyone making national insurance contributions as a resident of one EU country has the right to access emergency care when travelling in other EU countries, with expenses reimbursed by their national healthcare institution. To use this service, you need an EU healthcare insurance card, which can be obtained from the National Healthcare Insurance Fund.

Banking

Lithuania’s commercial banks have branches across the country; those located in large shopping centres have longer opening hours. Telephone and internet banking are also provided by all major banks.

Opening a bank account for residents of Lithuania is free of charge. You’ll need your passport, plus a permit to reside in the country if that applies to you. The bank can request additional documents.

The average time for receiving a bank card is around 5 working days. The card can be sent to a home address or picked up from your local branch. A monthly card fee will be deducted from your bank account each month and fees vary according to card benefits.

For information on the main banks in Lithuania, see National Bank information.

Income taxes

All income you receive from work done under an employment contract is subject to a personal income tax rate. This is deducted automatically by your employer from your gross salary, as stated at the very top of this section. More information can be found here.

Insurance

A range of insurers operate in Lithuania. Car insurance is compulsory in Lithuania.
Lithuania’s main insurance providers are:

• Gjensidige
• Ergo
• Lietuvos Draudimas 
• Seesam
• Compensa

Even though some providers do not have websites, they will be happy to help. So, don’t hesitate to call them.

Transport

For travel within the country and for trips abroad, you’ll find transport in Lithuania is simple and hassle free. Whether it’s by road or rail, air or sea, getting from A to B is quick and easy.

Public transport

Public Transport is well provided in Lithuania’s main cities. The most common forms are bus and trolleybus. Payment is convenient and easy: you can buy tickets on the bus, but the cheapest way to travel is to buy a travel card which you can top up as you go or use as a weekly or monthly travel card. All tickets can be purchased at kiosks or public transport information centers.

• Vilnius
• Kaunas
• Klaipėda

Carsharing and taxi

Citybee provides short let car hire in Vilnius and Kaunas. Prices differ according to the model of car, but if you are looking to make a lot of journeys and need an interim fix before you buy a car, this is definitely the cheaper option. Prices average at around €0,21 per minute, €7,5 EUR for 1 hour and €39 for 24 hours. In Vilnius alone, there are 83 CityBee stops where you can pick-up or leave a car.

You can also use SPARK  – an innovative electric car sharing service in Vilnius.  Spark is an easy to use and environmentally friendly way of getting around.

UBER is renowned the world over for the low cost and convenience of its app and provides a great way for getting around. And you can use it in Lithuania.

Taxi Services
Taxi prices vary depending on the city and firm, ranging from 0,39-0,81 €/km. In smaller towns a fixed taxi rate normally applies, regardless of distance. The local Etaksi app provides a great, low-cost alternative to Uber.

Communications

With world class broadband speeds and the best public internet in the region, you’ll have no problem staying connected 24/7 wherever you are.

Internet

Most internet providers in Lithuania offer wireless internet at speeds of 100 Mb/s, with some companies offering speeds many times greater than this. Major internet providers are Telia, Bitė,  Tele2,  Mezon, Penki.

Mobile connection

Mobile telephone services in Lithuania can be purchased by long-term contract or paid monthly. Major mobile providers are Telia, Tele2 and Bitė.

Learning Lithuanian

Did you know that the longest Lithuanian word has 37 letters? And that Lithuanian is also one of the oldest spoken languages in the whole world? So if you are interested in obtaining a new superpower and learning Lithuanian, there are plenty of schools in different cities that‘ll show you the way. Find all the information here.

Museums

Across Lithuania, over 100 museums offer you the chance to discover inspiring art and intriguing artifacts. To learn more about the country’s history, religion, literature, and culture, find museums near to you by visiting here.

Theater

Home to many world-renowned, award-winning directors, Lithuania has a rich and vibrant theater scene. There are usually over 60 new performances presented each year. And with ballet, opera, chamber music, dance, pantomime and puppetry also on offer at a range of other venues, theater-lovers are spoiled for choice.

Cinema

Whether you’re an action fan or an art house aficionado, you’ll be able to find the perfect cinema for you in Lithuania. You can catch Hollywood blockbusters at one of the many multiplexes or try something more cerebral at an independent cinema. Lithuania hosts 13 film festivals each year; these include the ever-popular Kino Pavasaris (Film Spring), the Vilnius International Short Film festival, Scanorama, Nepatogus Kinas – an international human rights film festival – and more.

Find out more at:

• Forum cinemas
• Boutique cinema “Kino pasaka”

Music

Music is a big part of who Lithuanians are. And in the country’s vibrant cities you’ll find gigs to meet any taste. There are always international acts to be found playing one of the country’s many large-scale venues. And for jazz lovers Lithuania is a bit of a paradise – all of its major cities host jazz festivals and the local jazz musicians are rightly famous.

During the summer, there is no shortage of music festivals to choose from. Read more about nationwide festivals here, and get information on festivals in Vilnius here.

Tickets

You can buy tickets to theaters, festivals and other events online. Just check out these websites:

• Tiketa.lt
• Bilietai.lt

Sports and outdoor activities

Anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle will find Lithuania a perfect fit. The country’s number one sport is basketball. And a huge range of other sports and outdoor activities are gaining popularity. In the warm summer months, Lithuania’s pristine nature is ideal for hiking, cycling, jogging and a variety of water sports.

For the urban athlete, tennis, badminton and squash facilities are on offer in places like the Vilnius SEB Arena.

And in winter, it’s time for skiing and snowboarding. Just minutes from the centre of Vilnius are the ski slopes of Liepkalnis, offering green, blue, red and black runs. Or you could try out the Snow Arena in Druskininkai, which is open all year round. It boasts a wide range of services including ski and snowboard lessons with a private instructor. Also check out other activities here.

Traveling and sightseeing

From medieval cobbled streets and ancient castles through to winding rivers and stunning coastline, exploring Lithuania is always captivating.

Any tour has to start with Trakai the nation’s ancient capital situated just 30 km from Vilnius. Surrounded by a tranquil lake, the recently restored castle houses an intriguing collection of medieval and renaissance artifacts.

Meanwhile, the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania’s North is a spectacular sight and offers an insight into the country’s recent history and religious traditions.

For a detailed list of top sights and travel ideas, have a look at the Lonely Planet’s top things to do.

Wellness centers

Need to de-stress, detoxify or simply feel like treating yourself? The spa towns of Birstonas and Druskininkai have for decades been offering a vast array of quality health and beauty treatments to people from all around the globe. Situated in picturesque environs, and famed for their natural springs, these towns offer a relaxed and affordable taste of luxury.

And for wellness that’s right on your door step, Lithuania’s got you covered. All of its major cities boast luxurious Spa centres.

Socialising

There are many groups where you can meet likeminded people. For example, you can check out the InterNation Community, International Women’s Association Vilnius, Meet Up, Showaround and Like a Local.