Make Lithuania your home
Settling in Lithuania is easier than you think. Here is the key information on migration procedures and tips for smooth integration.
Step-by-step relocation guide
Relocating to a new country can be a long and complicated process. But it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes, a plan is all you need. So here it is – a step-by-step guide about the relevant paperwork, contact information and useful links. All in one place to help you make Lithuania your new home.
BEFORE YOUR MOVE
Necessary documents
The first step is to make sure you have all the documents in place to confirm your right to reside in Lithuania. The migration process depends on your nationality and whether you already have a job offer in Lithuania.
Relocating with your family
Moving to a new place is surely a big event for any family. We assure you that both your partner and children will also feel at home in Lithuania.
Documents
Family members of employees with an EU Blue Card or an intra-corporate transfer residence permit can receive family-based residence permits. Their residence permit will be issued for the same period as the employee’s, and all documents can be submitted together at the same time.
Family members of employees with regular employment-based residence permits may receive their family-based residence permits only after the employee spends two years living in Lithuania. If a family member wishes to come to Lithuania immediately, they should obtain a separate residence permit.
Kindergartens
Schools
Primary and secondary education in Lithuania is provided for children aged 6 to 18 and is divided into 12 grades. Public schools are free and the registration process is completed with your local school. Education is compulsory for the first 10 grades, but continuing through classes 11 and 12 is standard. It is also possible to enroll in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Lithuania. Please follow one of the following links for more information on schools in Vilnius, Kaunas, and 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 and Kaunas.
Bringing your pet
We are a very pet-friendly country, so don’t leave your pooch or kitty behind! Just make sure you follow the rules:
Vaccination
Your pets need to be vaccinated against rabies and have an up-to-date health certificate from a vet.
Microchip
Your pets need to be microchipped and have a certificate from a vet.
Examination
If you travel by plane, on arrival you’ll be asked to submit your pet for a special examination.
Getting to Lithuania
Being the geographical centre of Europe, Lithuania is easy to reach.
Finding accommodation
Upon your arrival, you can choose to stay in a hotel or book an Airbnb, but it’s best to search for something more permanent before arriving. Whether renting or buying, you’ll find a wide selection of properties within your budget to choose from.
Renting
When renting in Lithuania, the use of rental agreements is a standard practice. Agreements that outline the length of residence as more than 12 months must be in writing and can be fixed-term or ongoing. These are usually signed between two parties; however, it is possible to have a confirmation from a notary. A 1-3 month deposit is usually required, which is returned after the contract expires or is terminated.
Buying
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 can either arrange a mortgage with your bank or buy the property without a loan. Just keep in mind that to issue a loan, banks usually require you to have at least 15% of the property’s price in savings.
Getting help with relocation
Understanding and navigating the ins and outs of relocation processes can be a bit intimidating. Here are some services that might make things easier.
If you are an EU, Icelandic or Norwegian citizen, contact the European Employment Services Network (EURES) to check whether you are eligible for financial support for expenses travelling to a job interview, reimbursement of relocation costs or language courses.
Learn moreInternational House Vilnius provides valuable support to ensure the integration process is as easy as possible by offering free consultations and services related to relocation under one roof: from residence permits and social insurance, to employment services, taxes, starting a business, and much more.
Learn moreAFTER YOUR MOVE
Declaring your place of residence
Once you have secured accommodation, you are required to officially declare your new place of residence. This makes you eligible to receive various public services, such as childcare.
You can choose to declare your place of residence in Lithuania:
• At the Migration Department when applying for a residence permit.
If you decide to declare your place of residence at the Migration Department, you can attach documents confirming your place of residence to your application for a temporary residence permit on the Migration Department’s online system MIGRIS.
• At a city municipality or eldership within one month of collecting your residence permit.
To declare your place of residence at a city municipality after obtaining your residence permit, you have to go directly to the municipality or apply via email or their e-system.
If you are not the property owner, it is essential that you obtain written consent to use the rented address as your declared place of residence from the property owner.
Getting social insurance and healthcare
Employer and employee contributions to the social insurance system are calculated as a percentage of the salary paid to the employee. Contributions are automatically deducted from the salary of anyone in formal employment. If you are working under an employment contract, you are covered for all of the following: sickness insurance, maternity insurance, unemployment insurance, occupational accident insurance, pension insurance, and health insurance.
Compulsory health insurance
Once you have a temporary or permanent residence permit and start working in formal employment, you are able to receive all public medical services free of charge. After receiving confirmation of your public health insurance, you need to choose a healthcare centre to register in. You’ll need to register in person and choose a family doctor. Here‘s a list of clinics in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. More information can be found here.
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 centres operating in Lithuania’s major cities. Information on various medical centres is available here.
Dentistry services are also provided by private medical centres in each city. For more information see here.
Maternity/Paternity leave
If you want to go on maternity leave, you need to visit your doctor who can issue a maternity leave certificate after the 30th week of pregnancy. You also need to inform your employer, providing them with the certificate. In order to receive maternity leave benefits, you will need to submit an application to SODRA.
Maternity benefits are calculated based on your salary. You can choose to take 1, 2 or 3 years of maternity leave. If you choose 1 year, 77.58% of your salary will be paid for that year. If you choose 2 years, you will receive 54.31% of your salary the first year and 31,03% the second year. If you choose 3 years, the pattern is the same as for 2 years of leave, but the third year is unpaid. Paternity leave covers 77.58% of your salary for one month after the child is born. Paternity leave can be extended but is unpaid after the first month.
Commuting
Whether you are travelling within the country or abroad, the transport network in Lithuania is well developed and easy-to-use.
Public transport
Lithuania’s main cities have extensive public transport networks that connect downtown districts and suburban areas. The most common forms of getting around are buses and trolleybuses. Payment is convenient and easy: you can buy a ticket from the driver, but the cheapest way to travel is to buy a travel card that you can top up as you go or use as a weekly or monthly travel pass. Here’s more information about getting around in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. For intercity trips, there are multiple bus and train connections.
Carsharing and taxi
The most popular carsharing services are Citybee and SPARK, the latter offers electric cars exclusively. If you don‘t drive, you can use Bolt scooters for your daily commute as well as the Cyclo City bike-sharing system in Vilnius.
Aside from traditional taxi services, you can also use Bolt and Uber for getting around.
Owning or bringing a vehicle from abroad
If you intend to buy a car in Lithuania or bring your vehicle from abroad, you’ll need to register it before you hit Lithuanian roads. Don’t forget that you need to have your driver’s licence, car insurance, personal ID and car ownership documents with you at all times. Read more about driving in Lithuania here.
Getting connected
With world-leading broadband speeds and the best public WiFi in the region, you’ll have no problem staying connected 24/7 wherever you are.
Mobile connection
Opening a bank account
Opening a bank account is free for residents of Lithuania. You’ll need your passport and residence permit, and 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 your home address or picked up from your local branch.
Lithuania’s commercial banks have branches across the country; those located in large shopping centres have longer opening hours. Internet banking is also provided by all major banks, including SEB, Swedbank, Citadele, Luminor, Šiaulių bankas.
Expat networks
With the paperwork out of the way, take some time to network and meet the locals. Expanding your social circle will surely help you feel at home! Luckily, there are many groups where you can meet like-minded people.