Capital City: Vilnius
Population: 2.71 million (2024)
Official language: Lithuanian
Commonly spoken languages: Polish, Russian
Currency: Euro (€)
Thinking of leaving Britain for good and moving to Lithuania? We don’t blame you! This green and beautiful EU country can be a great place to live, work, study, or even retire. The biggest of the three Baltic states, Lithuania boasts a rich culture and gorgeous landscapes. Summers can be quite hot, whereas winters are on the cold side. Interestingly, there’s been a misconception that Lithuanians are quite a reserved nation, and this can be partially true if you’ve just met the person. But once you get to know your new acquaintance, they quickly warm up and can become your best friend for life.
So, if you are considering moving to Lithuania from the UK, this post will help you get an idea of where best to settle in the country, what work opportunities it has to offer, quality of life and more.
Table of Contents
Can I move to Lithuania from the UK?
As a non-EU citizen, if you want to move to Lithuania from the UK for more than 3 months (90 days), you are required to submit an application for and acquire a D visa, also known as a long-stay visa. This particular visa is typically granted to individuals who relocate to Lithuania to work, study or reunite with family members who are in the country. Once you have successfully obtained any form of long-stay visa, it is necessary to proceed with an application for a residence permit and continue your stay in Lithuania.
How do I get a residence permit in Lithuania
Non-EU citizens or citizens of countries who are not part of the Member States of the European Free Trade Association can obtain a residence permit. During the validity period of the permit, foreigners can choose, change, or leave their place of residence in Lithuania. According to the Law on the Declaration of Residence, if a person leaves Lithuania for more than 6 months, they must declare their departure. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of their residence permit.
In Lithuania, there are two types of residence permits available – temporary and permanent residence permits.
Temporary residence permit
Usually, it is valid for 1 or 2 years, although it may be issued for a shorter duration. However, individuals with Lithuanian origins as well as foreigners eligible for Lithuanian citizenship can obtain a temporary residence permit valid for 5 years. Applications for the permit and related documents must be submitted to the Migration Department in Lithuania or through VFS Global – an external service provider, if abroad.
To apply for the issue/renewal of a temporary residence permit, you must first submit an electronic application via the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS). Following this, you must schedule a visit through MIGRIS and apply for the permit in person within 4 months of the initial application submission. Also, you will have to provide original documents and biometric data.
Long-term resident permit
It authorises a foreigner to live in Lithuania and confirms their permanent resident status. The application for this permit, along with other necessary documents, must be submitted to the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania. The application process is the same as that for a temporary residence permit. Keep in mind, however, that submitting an application for a permanent residence permit does not automatically allow the foreigner to remain in Lithuania until the application is approved.
Where to live in Lithuania
There are several big towns in the country which are home to a number of expats. However, if you consider moving to Lithuania from the UK to live and work you better avoid small villages and towns. The chances of you finding employment are slimmer. The same goes if you have children, or you are a young person, who wants to continue their education in the country. Therefore, it is important to consider your goals before you choose where to live.
Vilnius
Vilnius has just over half a million people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Besides Lithuanians, there are also, historically, Russians, Poles (the largest minority group), Ukrainians, Tatars, Germans, Jews and more. Furthermore, this is where you’ll find most Brits and other Europeans who have relocated to Lithuania temporarily or permanently in recent years. The city strikes with its massive number of green areas and parks with numerous tree species, which occupy more than half of its territory. You will also find examples of beautiful architecture in the old town, where you can enjoy cultural events, visit places of recreation and dive into some sightseeing of popular historical sites.
Home to many reputable universities, Vilnius naturally attracts young people, too. Furthermore, many foreign IT and fintech companies have opened offices in the capital, which without a doubt provide English-speaking job seekers with different employment opportunities.
Kaunas
Despite its colourful ethnic diversity, the second largest town in the country – Kaunus, is actually the most Lithuanian one. An industrial hub and a university town, Kaunus is also full of history and has a picturesque old part that is worth exploring. You can enjoy a number of annual cultural events and music festivals, such as the Kaunas Jazz Festival in the spring. The town is very safe and affordable to live in. In addition, low-budget direct flights connect several UK cities to the town, making Kaunas International Airport very convenient for people who want to move to Lithuania from the UK.
Klaipeda
A vibrant port city, Klaipeda is also home to a solid expatriate community that consists of Brits and folks from other countries. If your intention is to relocate to this beautiful and historical coastal town, you may find joining one of the community’s online initiatives quite helpful. Klaipeda is popular for its geothermal heating technologies, developed industry and service sector, as well as flourishing tourism. The port is a very important transportation asset that also drives the thriving economy of the city.
Residents of Klaipeda enjoy a much higher income than Lithuanians on average. In addition, the largest Free Economic Zone in the country is located in the town, so hundreds of companies are operating in the area, attracted by great tax incentives.
Working options in Lithuania for Brits
There is a large number of foreign companies in Lithuania, including British ones, operating in various industry sectors (IT, financial services, automotive parts manufacturing, food and textile production, tourism and more). Nevertheless, people in the country do not have a great command of English, apart from some of the younger citizens. This means that you may find it hard to get a job unless you master your Lithuanian language to a level that can allow you to comfortably use it. In other words, your best bet is to look for English-speaking employment opportunities at a foreign company. In addition to this, you can become a private English teacher or get a job in a school/college if you have the right qualifications.
Salaries in Lithuania average around €20,003 EUR per year. Considering that income tax is low and the cost of living in Lithuania is not expensive, you can enjoy a good quality of life.
On another note, if you are the entrepreneurial type, you can start up a business in Lithuania and support yourself and your family this way.
What’s transportation like in Lithuania
Public transport is well-developed in Lithuania, with a good railway network, coaches and city buses. There are several highways, which run across the Baltic country, connecting major cities. In towns, people use both their private vehicles and public transport.
The capital, Vilnius, is a great example of providing its citizens with seamless public transport services. It has night and day buses, as well as the most developed trolleybus network in Europe. The city has implemented an efficient e-ticket system. Vilnius is also famous for its contribution to the environment, as electric car use is strongly encouraged, and the infrastructure is well-developed. There are, of course, incentives in the form of free parking and free charging for electric vehicles, which makes people consider strongly converting to getting one and replacing their old and not so eco-friendly car.
Last but not least, carsharing services are also thriving. One of the biggest service providers in Vilnius offers cars, electric scooters and bicycles for rental, where residents pay just for the time that they’ve been using the vehicle. In addition, fuel, insurance and parking are free of charge.
Is UK license valid in Lithuania
UK driver’s licenses are valid until the individual becomes a permanent Lithuanian resident. This means that their declared place of residence is Lithuania, and they reside there for a minimum of 185 days each calendar year. Moreover, foreign students who have resided in Lithuania for at least 6 months are also considered permanent residents. Once an individual becomes a permanent resident, they are required to swap their non-EU driving license for a Lithuanian one. However, it is important to note that only foreigners with a Lithuanian personal code and their residency declared in Lithuania are eligible to exchange their non-EU driver’s licenses. Holders of national (D) visas are not able to do so.
Education opportunities
Education in Lithuania is well-developed and mandatory from the age of 6 up to 16. It’s free, although there are some private schools, as well. Kids are highly literate in comparison to their peers in a number of other EU countries. An interesting fact is that teachers’ wages are some of the lowest in the EU, which has prompted several strikes in recent years.
The capital city and a few other major towns offer versatile opportunities for young people who want to enrol in a higher education institution. There are many reputable universities in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda, which cover medicine, art, technologies, military studies, music, theatre, the humanities, etc., and where tuition fees are low and affordable. Brits often choose to move to Lithuania and further their education by taking up health studies.
Being a student in Lithuania
Foreign students can work up to 20 hours a week as long as they’ve gained a temporary residency permit. After Brexit, you need to register your residency after 3 months and supply the following documents: proof of enrolment in an educational establishment, health insurance coverage and proof of financial means to sustain yourself during your stay.
Healthcare in Lithuania
The healthcare system in Lithuania is contribution-based and state-funded. Medical services are apparently some of the most affordable in the EU. The private health sector is also growing, providing mainly outpatient services. Dental care is not covered, however, by the compulsory health insurance fund. The country boasts quality medical services; however, waiting lists to see a specialist can be somewhat improved.
As a Brit who intends to immigrate to Lithuania, you’ll need to make your own provisions to medical cover yourself and your family. You can access the National Healthcare system once you become a permanent resident. If you work for a Lithuanian employer, you will be automatically enrolled in the national health insurance scheme, along with coverage for your dependents. However, if you are self-employed or unemployed, you must directly join the scheme.
Conclusion
Moving from the UK to Lithuania sounds like an exciting opportunity, doesn’t it? The underrated Baltic country can easily become your new home, even after Brexit, as long as you get informed about every Withdrawal Agreement update and follow the rules.
And if you need help with your international relocation, you can always resort to our removal company. The team of professional movers will take care of all your logistics needs and make sure your relocation to Lithuania is as smooth as possible. Contact us today to get started.
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