Key Takeaways

  • EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Lithuania without a permit; non-EEA nationals require a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) or EU Blue Card from the Migration Department.
  • Lithuania has significantly expanded its non-EU work permit capacity in recent years to address labour shortages, particularly in manufacturing, IT, logistics, and construction.
  • Lithuania is part of the Baltic digital economy triangle (alongside Latvia and Estonia), with a strong and growing technology, fintech, and BPO sector centred on Vilnius.

Lithuania is the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic EU member states, bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia, with a short coastline on the Baltic Sea. Vilnius is the capital and main commercial hub; Kaunas is the second city and industrial centre. Lithuania joined the EU and NATO in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2015. The economy is driven by manufacturing (food processing, textiles, furniture, electronics), IT and fintech (Vilnius has become a significant European fintech hub), logistics, and professional services. The Migration Department under the Ministry of Interior administers TRPs and EU Blue Cards; the State Labour Inspectorate oversees employment law compliance.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Lithuania?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Lithuania without any permit. Non-EEA nationals require a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for employment before starting work. The requirement applies to:

  • Non-EEA nationals employed by Lithuania-registered companies, including subsidiaries
  • Non-EEA intra-company transferees to Lithuanian subsidiaries or branches
  • Non-EEA highly skilled professionals under the EU Blue Card scheme
  • Non-EEA technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Non-EEA IT and technology professionals in the growing Vilnius tech sector

Types of Lithuania Work Visas and Permits

EU Blue Card

Available to non-EEA nationals with a higher education qualification of at least three years and a job offer with a salary at or above EUR 1,947/month (1.5x average gross wage in Lithuania, 2024). The EU Blue Card is issued by the Migration Department for up to three years and provides enhanced EU mobility rights — the holder may move to another EU Blue Card country after 18 months.

Temporary Residence Permit (Work Category)

The standard work authorisation for non-EEA nationals who do not meet the Blue Card salary threshold. It is employer-tied and issued by the Migration Department for up to two years. The employer must register the employment contract with the State Social Insurance Fund Board (SoDra) before the permit is applied for.

National Visa (D Visa)

Non-EEA nationals who require a prior entry authorisation must obtain a Lithuanian National Visa (D-Visa) from a Lithuanian diplomatic mission before travelling to Lithuania to collect the TRP or Blue Card. Schengen-exempt nationals may enter Lithuania directly and apply for the TRP in-country.

EU/EEA Freedom of Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Lithuania. Those residing for more than three months must register their address with the local municipal office and obtain an EU citizen registration certificate from the Migration Department. SoDra registration for social security purposes is required from the first day of employment.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Lithuania

1

Employer Registers with SoDra

The employer registers the employment contract with the State Social Insurance Fund Board (SoDra) before applying for the TRP or Blue Card. This SoDra registration confirms that the employment relationship is compliant and triggers mandatory social insurance contributions from the start of employment.

2

Submit TRP or Blue Card Application to the Migration Department

The employer or the foreign national submits the TRP or EU Blue Card application to the Migration Department online or in person. Required documents: signed employment contract registered with SoDra; educational qualifications; police clearance; proof of accommodation; health insurance certificate; and valid passport.

3

Obtain the National Visa (D) if Required

Non-EEA nationals not exempt from Schengen visa requirements must obtain a D-Visa from a Lithuanian embassy or consulate before travelling to Lithuania. Schengen-visa-exempt nationals may enter Lithuania and apply for the TRP from within the country.

4

Biometrics and Collection at the Migration Department

The applicant attends the Migration Department office in Vilnius or a regional centre to provide biometric data. The biometric TRP or Blue Card is typically ready within 10–45 days. The card combines the residence and work authorisation in a single document.

5

Register Address with the Municipality

The foreign worker declares their residential address at the local municipal office within 7 days of arrival or taking up residence. This is a legal obligation under Lithuanian immigration law.

6

Ongoing SoDra Compliance

SoDra contributions are mandatory from the first day of employment. Employer contributions are approximately 1.77% of gross salary (accident and health); employee contributions are 19.5% of gross salary. Lithuania’s social insurance rates for employees are among the higher rates in the EU.

Lithuania Work Permit Costs and Fees

Lithuania TRP and EU Blue Card fees are denominated in Euros (EUR):

Permit / Visa Type
Cost
EU Blue Card (up to 3 years)
EUR 80–120
TRP Work (1–2 years)
EUR 40–120 depending on processing speed
National Visa (D)
EUR 60

SoDra contributions are a significant ongoing payroll cost.

Professional service fees add EUR 400–1,200. Total first-year employer costs typically range from EUR 600 to EUR 2,000.

Lithuania Work Visa Sponsorship

Lithuania’s TRP for employment is employer-tied. The EU Blue Card offers greater portability after 18 months. Changes of employer require SoDra re-registration and notification to the Migration Department. A new permit application is required if the employer changes before the Blue Card portability period is reached.

Employers must comply with the Lithuanian Labour Code (Darbo kodeksas), SoDra contribution obligations, and applicable sector-specific collective agreements.

For international companies without a Lithuanian entity, an EOR registered in Lithuania can act as the sponsoring employer, manage TRP and Blue Card applications, SoDra contributions, payroll in EUR, and full Labour Code compliance.

Work in Lithuania with Confidence

Lithuania’s Vilnius fintech and technology hub, combined with competitive labour costs within the EU and a well-educated English-speaking workforce, make it one of the most attractive Baltic markets for technology and professional services companies.

RemotePeople’s Baltic team provides TRP, EU Blue Card, and EOR services in Lithuania.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vilnius has emerged as one of Europe's leading fintech centres over the past decade. Key factors include: the Bank of Lithuania's progressive electronic money institution (EMI) licensing regime; EU passporting rights for financial services; competitive costs relative to Western Europe; a technically skilled English-speaking workforce; and direct flights to major European cities. Companies including Revolut, Yapily, and dozens of other fintech firms have European headquarters or licensed entities in Lithuania.

SoDra (Valstybinio socialinio draudimo fondo valdyba) is Lithuania's State Social Insurance Fund Board. Employee contributions are approximately 19.5% of gross salary (covering pension, sickness, and maternity). Employer contributions are approximately 1.77% (covering accident and occupational disease insurance). Lithuania's employee-side contribution rate is one of the highest in the EU.

Yes. After 18 months of holding a Lithuania-issued EU Blue Card and working in Lithuania, the holder may apply to work in another EU Blue Card country without starting the full immigration process from scratch. The new country issues its own Blue Card with expedited processing for existing Blue Card holders.

Lithuania has no language test requirement for TRP or Blue Card applicants. Lithuanian is the official language and is required for certain regulated professions (healthcare, legal). In practice, English is widely used in the fintech, IT, and business services sectors. Russian remains spoken by a significant minority population.

Yes. A licensed EOR registered in Lithuania can act as the sponsoring employer, manage TRP and EU Blue Card applications, SoDra registration, payroll in EUR, and full Lithuanian Labour Code compliance on behalf of an international company without a Lithuanian entity.

Relocate to Lithuania

RemotePeople provides EOR services in Lithuania and across the Baltic states. We manage TRP and EU Blue Card applications at the Migration Department, SoDra registration, payroll in EUR, and full Lithuanian Labour Code compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Lithuania today.

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