Residence Permit in Lithuania: Who Is Eligible and How to Apply in 2026

A residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania may be obtained by applicants who meet the statutory requirements and have a lawful basis for an extended stay. The main grounds include employment, study and family reunification. A permit may also be issued to foreign nationals returning to Lithuania to restore their legal status or to persons of Lithuanian descent. Depending on the basis of stay, a Lithuanian residence permit is generally valid for one to five years.

Obtaining a residence permit in European countries often involves strict requirements regarding the reason for relocation, income, and the required documentation, therefore, it’s worth comparing Lithuania’s requirements with those of other destinations in advance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Lithuanian Residence Permit

The main advantages of holding a Lithuanian residence permit include:

• the ability to establish and operate a business and invest in property;
• visa-free travel within the European Union and the Schengen Area;
• access to the labour market in Lithuania and the EU;
• a safe living environment and political stability;
• the opportunity to study at European universities;
• access to healthcare services in Lithuania and other EU countries;
• a potential route to Lithuanian citizenship.

The disadvantages of a Lithuanian residence permit are mainly connected with the practical requirements of living in the country and may be significant for some applicants. For example, temporary residents are expected to learn the official language for day-to-day integration and must demonstrate language proficiency when applying for permanent residence and, later, citizenship.

Preparing a complete application file and completing every stage of the legalisation process independently can be lengthy. Applicants looking for a faster lawful route to Lithuania can book a free consultation with the company’s lawyers to discuss the available options.

Residence Permit Based on Family Reunification

You may qualify for a Lithuanian residence permit if you are a family member of a Lithuanian citizen or of a foreign national who holds permanent residence in the country. The permit is generally valid for one to two years and may be renewed. To apply, complete the application through the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) and book an appointment.

Within four months, you must attend a migration office to have your photograph taken and fingerprints collected. You will also need to present a valid passport, documents confirming the family relationship and your application number. Additional requirements include a criminal record certificate, evidence of sufficient funds and an undertaking to declare your place of residence.

Employment-Based Residence Permit

This permit is available to employees who have an employment contract with a Lithuanian employer, as well as to highly qualified professionals and researchers. The application must include the relevant employment agreement and evidence that the applicant’s qualifications correspond to the position. Separate proof of funds is not required because the employer’s mediation letter states the monthly salary. The permit is generally issued for one year and may be renewed.

Residence Permit for Study or Training

A residence permit may be issued to students, professionals completing advanced training and interns. Applicants must submit an application through MIGRIS together with a valid passport, a criminal record certificate and a letter from the university or research institution confirming admission to the study or internship programme, payment of the course fees and sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses of EUR 576.50 per month. Applicants under 18 must also provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

The permit is issued for the period of study, for a maximum of two years at a time, and may be renewed. After graduation, students may apply for a 12-month temporary residence permit to look for work or establish a business as a sole trader.

Residence Permit Based on Business Activity

Entrepreneurs may obtain a residence permit if they can demonstrate that they have lawfully operated a business in Lithuania for at least six months before applying through MIGRIS. In addition to identity documents, the application may include employment contracts, agreements with clients, details of the registered office, licences and other evidence that the business is active. The permit is issued for two years.

Residence Permit Based on Restoration or Lithuanian Descent

You may qualify under the restoration route if your close relatives, such as parents or grandparents, were Lithuanian citizens before 1940. Evidence of the family relationship with the former citizen must be submitted through MIGRIS. A residence permit may also be issued to applicants of Lithuanian descent, including those with a Lithuanian parent or grandparent. In these cases, the permit is valid for five years.

Requirements for a Lithuanian Residence Permit

To obtain a Lithuanian residence permit, applicants must have a documented legal basis for an extended stay, sufficient financial resources, valid health insurance, a passport and, where required, a visa. They must also have suitable rented or privately owned accommodation. The application process consists of the following stages:

Required Documents

The documents submitted with a Lithuanian residence permit application may vary depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances and basis for relocation. The standard file generally includes:

• a completed application form;
• a valid identity document;
• proof of stable income or a bank statement showing the available balance, calculated on the basis of at least EUR 1,153 per month for an adult and EUR 576.50 for students and minors;
• proof of accommodation in Lithuania; the address may be declared within one month after the residence card is issued;
• a criminal record certificate issued no more than six months before the application by the competent authority of each country where the applicant has lived during the previous two years; this applies to applicants aged 14 and over;
• health insurance valid for the entire period of residence in Lithuania and covering necessary medical treatment and medically required return to another country;
• certificates, extracts and other documents confirming the lawful basis for the residence permit.

Documents issued by a foreign authority in a language other than Lithuanian must be translated into Lithuanian and apostilled. Certification may be completed by a notary or through a Lithuanian diplomatic mission.

Processing Times and Costs

The cost of obtaining a Lithuanian residence card depends on the selected processing time and the basis of the application. The applicable fees and indicative processing periods are shown in the table below:

Obtaining Permanent Residence

Permanent residence may generally be granted after five years of lawful residence in Lithuania under a temporary permit. Under Article 53 of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, the required period may be reduced by one year if the applicant has sufficient knowledge of Lithuanian and passes the relevant examination. A Lithuanian permanent residence card is issued for five years and may be renewed.

The application procedure is similar to that for a temporary residence permit. Applicants must additionally submit their valid temporary residence card through MIGRIS and pass the required Lithuanian language examination.

One of the main differences between temporary and permanent residence is the validity period: a temporary card is issued for one to five years, while a permanent residence card is valid for five years. Permanent residents may travel within the EU and the Schengen Area without a visa, bring eligible family members to Lithuania and access healthcare and financial benefits under the conditions applicable to citizens.

A Lithuanian passport may be obtained through naturalisation after ten years of residence in the country. Applicants must also have a lawful source of income, demonstrate knowledge of Lithuanian and the Constitution, and renounce their previous citizenship.