Planning to work in Lithuania as a foreigner? The immigration process depends on your nationality, job, qualifications, employer, salary and the legal basis on which you intend to work.
For many non-EU/EEA nationals, the main route is a Lithuanian temporary residence permit based on employment. Lithuania has tightened its rules for foreign employment, and since July 2024 many foreigners can no longer simply enter Lithuania with a visa-free status or another country's visa or residence permit and start working.
A tourist or ordinary Schengen visa is not a Lithuanian work permit. In most cases, a foreigner who wants to work in Lithuania needs the appropriate Lithuanian residence and employment authorization before starting work.
Whether you need a work visa or residence permit depends primarily on your citizenship and immigration status.
The rules for a Lithuanian citizen or EU citizen are therefore very different from the rules for a worker arriving from a third country.
The term "Lithuania work visa" is commonly used by people searching online, but it does not describe every employment route accurately.
For many ordinary long-term employees from outside the EU/EEA, the relevant document is a temporary residence permit in Lithuania based on employment.
| Situation | Typical Immigration Route |
|---|---|
| EU citizen taking a job in Lithuania | EU free-movement rules |
| Non-EU worker in ordinary employment | Temporary residence permit based on employment, where required |
| Highly qualified worker | EU Blue Card or applicable skilled-worker route |
| Seasonal worker | Specific seasonal-work procedure |
| Short permitted business activity | May fall under an exemption depending on the activity and duration |
| Long-term relocation | Appropriate residence permit route |
Lithuania has introduced stricter controls on employment-based migration. Since 1 July 2024, foreigners who previously could rely on visa-free travel, a Schengen visa, a national visa or a residence permit issued by another country generally cannot simply use that document to start working in Lithuania.
In many cases, the foreign worker must obtain a Lithuanian temporary residence permit.
The Lithuanian Migration Department states that there are limited exceptions for certain categories, including specific posted workers, certain business activities, highly skilled athletes, performers, journalists, researchers and certain nationals from specified countries.
Therefore, having the right to enter Lithuania does not necessarily mean that you have the right to work there.
For the standard employment route, the process normally begins with finding a Lithuanian employer willing to hire you and support the immigration procedure.
Lithuania uses the MIGRIS migration information system for many immigration procedures.
Depending on the type of application, applicants can use MIGRIS to:
The exact procedure depends on the type of residence permit and the applicant's circumstances.
The exact document checklist varies depending on the employment route, nationality and individual circumstances.
Common documents can include:
For many non-EU workers, the Lithuanian employer plays an important role in the immigration process.
The employer may need to provide a mediation letter and information concerning the employment relationship.
The employer also has obligations under Lithuanian immigration and employment law. A foreign worker should therefore be cautious about job offers from companies that refuse to provide legitimate employment documentation.
Salary requirements are particularly important for employment-based immigration in Lithuania.
The applicable threshold can depend on the immigration route and whether the annual foreign-worker quota has been exhausted.
For 2026, Lithuania's published average gross monthly wage figure used for these immigration calculations is โฌ2,411.40.
1 BDU: โฌ2,411.40
1.2 BDU: โฌ2,893.68
The Migration Department states that after the 2026 employment quota was exhausted, a work-based temporary residence permit can generally be issued under the relevant route if the employer commits to paying at least 1.2 times the latest published annual average gross monthly wage, or at least 1 BDU for a profession included in the shortage list of high-value-added occupations.
These figures are not necessarily permanent. The BDU changes when new annual figures are published.
Lithuania introduced an annual quota for certain foreign workers arriving to work in the country.
The approved 2026 foreign-worker quota was 24,706. The quota covers professions and job functions across company sectors rather than being divided into separate nationality quotas.
The Migration Department announced on 7 September 2026 that the 2026 quota had been exhausted.
| 2026 Employment Figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Foreign-worker quota | 24,706 |
| 1 BDU | โฌ2,411.40/month |
| 1.2 BDU | โฌ2,893.68/month |
After the quota is exhausted, additional conditions can apply. The Migration Department states that the employment-based residence permit can still be issued under the applicable rules where the employer commits to the required salary level, including the higher threshold or the 1 BDU threshold for qualifying shortage occupations.
This is an especially important issue for people planning to move to Lithuania for work in late 2026.
The exhaustion of the quota does not necessarily mean that every foreign worker is automatically prohibited from obtaining a Lithuanian residence permit.
Instead, additional conditions can apply.
The exact route should be checked before accepting a job because the rules depend on the position and immigration basis.
Lithuania maintains rules under which certain occupations considered important to the country's economy and affected by labor shortages can receive different treatment.
For qualifying occupations included in the relevant shortage/high-value-added list, the salary threshold applicable after quota exhaustion can be lower than the general 1.2 BDU threshold.
For 2026, the published figures are:
The occupation list can change, so applicants should check the current list rather than relying on an old job title.
Highly qualified professionals may have another immigration option through the EU Blue Card.
The EU Blue Card is designed for qualified non-EU nationals who receive qualifying employment in an EU Member State and meet the applicable education, professional and salary requirements.
Lithuania's Blue Card route is different from ordinary employment-based residence procedures.
It can be particularly relevant for professionals working in areas such as:
The exact Blue Card salary and qualification requirements should be checked at the time of application because thresholds and regulations can change.
Some jobs require specific qualifications, licenses or professional recognition.
Depending on the profession, you may need to provide:
Regulated professions can have additional requirements beyond immigration permission.
Lithuania has an established technology and startup sector, particularly in Vilnius and Kaunas.
International candidates commonly search for jobs in areas such as:
Highly qualified technology professionals should compare the ordinary employment route with the EU Blue Card route when assessing their immigration options.
Healthcare workers may face additional professional licensing and qualification-recognition requirements.
A foreign doctor's, nurse's or other healthcare professional's immigration status is separate from professional authorization to practice.
Therefore, obtaining a residence permit does not automatically give a person the right to practice every regulated profession.
Construction is one of the sectors in which foreign workers can seek employment in Lithuania.
Potential occupations include:
Workers should verify whether their particular occupation, salary and employer satisfy the current immigration requirements.
Lithuania has a significant logistics and transport sector, creating employment opportunities for some foreign workers.
However, professional drivers may need additional documents, licenses, qualifications and compliance with EU transport rules.
A job offer alone does not guarantee immigration approval.
A Schengen tourist visa is designed for short visits. It is not a general authorization to take employment in Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Migration Department specifically states that a Schengen visa does not provide a basis for employment in Lithuania where a Lithuanian residence permit is required.
Entering Lithuania as a tourist and finding an employer does not automatically give you the right to start working.
In many cases, you need to obtain the appropriate Lithuanian temporary residence permit before beginning employment.
Do not assume that submitting an immigration application automatically gives you permission to work.
Employment-based residence permits can be connected to specific employment conditions.
Lithuania has introduced restrictions concerning changes of employer for foreign workers. The Migration Department has stated that, following the 2024 changes, a foreigner can generally apply to change employer only after a specified period following the issuance of the temporary residence permit.
The precise procedure depends on the type of residence permit and employment situation.
Before leaving your current employer, check the immigration consequences of the change. Ending a job without considering your residence status can create serious problems.
Applicants may need to provide information concerning their accommodation or place of residence depending on the residence-permit procedure.
Popular cities for foreign workers include:
Your choice of city can have a significant effect on rent and living costs.
Foreign workers must comply with the applicable Lithuanian health-insurance and social-insurance rules.
Once employed and covered under Lithuania's compulsory insurance system, the worker's situation can differ from that of a temporary visitor.
Applicants should confirm their individual insurance position when applying for a residence permit and when starting employment.
Employees working in Lithuania can be subject to Lithuanian income tax and social-security contributions.
The amount deducted from your salary depends on factors including:
When comparing a Lithuanian job offer with salaries in another country, compare net salary and living costs rather than gross salary alone.
Some foreign workers with a Lithuanian temporary residence permit may be able to bring qualifying family members under Lithuania's family-reunification rules.
The conditions depend on the sponsor's residence status and the family relationship.
Possible family members can include qualifying:
Family members may need their own residence documents.
EU citizens generally do not need a Lithuanian work visa to take employment in Lithuania because of EU free-movement rights.
However, EU citizens staying in Lithuania for longer periods may need to complete the relevant residence registration or obtain documentation confirming their right of residence, depending on the circumstances.
This is fundamentally different from the immigration procedure for a third-country national.
Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA generally face additional immigration requirements.
The process can involve:
The place where you submit an application depends on your nationality, country of residence and the type of immigration application.
Applications can involve:
The list of locations and eligibility rules can change. The Migration Department has periodically changed which nationalities and immigration categories can use external service providers.
Always check the current instructions before travelling to a visa centre or embassy.
Lithuania charges state fees for immigration applications and residence-document issuance.
The exact amount depends on the type of application, processing speed and document involved.
Because immigration fees can change, applicants should verify the current fee directly with the Lithuanian Migration Department before submitting an application.
Processing times vary depending on:
Do not assume that every Lithuania work application takes the same number of weeks.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do EU citizens need a work visa? | Generally no, under EU free-movement rules. |
| Do non-EU workers need Lithuanian immigration permission? | Generally yes, subject to specific exemptions. |
| Main route for ordinary long-term foreign employment | Temporary residence permit based on employment. |
| Can a tourist visa be used to work? | No. |
| 2026 foreign-worker quota | 24,706. |
| 2026 quota status | Exhausted as of 7 September 2026. |
| 2026 BDU | โฌ2,411.40 gross/month. |
| 2026 1.2 BDU | โฌ2,893.68 gross/month. |
| Highly qualified route | EU Blue Card may be available if conditions are met. |
| Online immigration system | MIGRIS. |
| Feature | Tourist / Schengen Visa | Work Immigration Route |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Short visit | Employment |
| Work allowed? | No | Yes, when properly authorized |
| Long-term residence | No | Possible depending on eligibility |
| Employer involvement | Generally no | Often important |
| Residence permit | No | Often required for non-EU workers |
| Typical stay | Up to 90 days in any 180 days | Depends on the residence authorization |
Lithuania can be an attractive destination for foreign workers who have skills that match the country's labor-market needs.
The strongest opportunities tend to be concentrated in areas such as:
However, the ease of moving to Lithuania depends heavily on the worker's occupation, salary, nationality and employer.
Vilnius is Lithuania's largest city and the country's major centre for technology, finance, startups, international companies and professional services.
Kaunas has strong manufacturing, engineering, education, logistics and technology sectors and can offer lower living costs than central Vilnius in some circumstances.
Klaipฤda is Lithuania's major port city and is particularly relevant for logistics, shipping, manufacturing and industrial employment.
These cities can offer opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, logistics and regional business.
Lithuanian immigration and employment rules can change. Salary thresholds, foreign-worker quotas, shortage occupation lists, application locations, fees and eligibility requirements may be updated during the year. This page is an informational guide and is not legal advice. Before applying for a Lithuanian work-based residence permit, verify the latest requirements with the Lithuanian Migration Department and the relevant Lithuanian authorities.