Do French citizens need a work visa for Lithuania?

French people do not need a work visa to work in Lithuania. As members of the European Union, they have the right to enter, reside, and work in Lithuania without obtaining a visa or work permit.

What do French people need to live and work in Lithuania legally?

Although a visa or work permit is not required, French citizens planning to stay in Lithuania for more than 90 days must:

• Register their residence in Lithuania by applying for a certificate confirming the right of temporary residence.
• Obtain a personal identification number (asmens kodas), which is necessary for employment, taxes, social services, and banking.
• Have valid health insurance, such as the European Health Insurance Card or a private policy.

What documents do French citizens need for residence registration?

To register residence in Lithuania, French people typically need:

• A valid passport or EU ID card
• Proof of employment or sufficient financial means
• A rental agreement or confirmation of accommodation
• Health insurance coverage

In recent years, Lithuania has become an increasingly popular country for job seekers from foreign countries. Thanks to the country's growing economy, the number of expats who decide to move and build their future is constantly growing. The main industries in which expats are employed are:

- Fintech (financial services + technology):Lithuania is positioning itself as the main fintech hub in the European Union. The government has promised to provide European operating licenses to all potential investors within 3 months, not a full year, as in other European countries. For example, Google founded a payment firm in Lithuania in 2018, and Revolut is headquartered in Vilnius;

- Tourism: The tourism sector is an important part of the Lithuanian economy. The main group of tourists comes from the UK and Germany. Bicycle tourism is quite popular in the country, especially on coastal cycling routes.

- Outsourcing: Given the low cost and assistance that companies receive when setting up their operations in Lithuania, the most promising sectors in the country are BPO and SSC. This is also beneficial both for the country's economy and for those who want to move and find a job here. Among the international companies that have already outsourced part of their operations to Lithuania are Transcom and Western Union.

What is the best city in Lithuania to work in?

Vilnius offers a variety of employment opportunities.

What professions are in demand in Lithuania?

Service workers and skilled workers - drivers of heavy trucks and lorries, sales assistants, cooks, drivers of cars, taxis and minibuses, mechanics and vehicle repairers, tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters, bakers, confectioners and pastry chefs, electricians, plumbers and plumbing fitters, and home builders.

There are several ways for a foreigner to work at Lithuanian enterprises:

1. Placement (business trip) of an employee.

Employee posting means that a foreigner working for a company in a third country may be seconded for up to 1 year to a company registered in the Republic of Lithuania to work under a contract concluded between these companies for the provision of services, performance of work or as a specialist with relevant professional qualifications.

The requirements for legal accommodation of foreigners are as follows:

• the foreigner must have worked for at least the last 3 months before the business trip for the foreign company that sends him/her;
  
• An alien working in a foreign country and seconded to the Republic of Lithuania remains covered by social insurance in that foreign country during the period of stay in Lithuania.
  

In this case, it is enough for a foreigner to obtain a national D visa for the period of a business trip to Lithuania.

It should be noted that seconded foreigners cannot be sent to perform functions in companies other than those to which they were seconded and which mediated the issuance of a national visa.

2. Direct hiring of a foreigner by a Lithuanian company.

According to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania "On the Legal Status of Foreigners", a foreigner who intends to work in the Republic of Lithuania must obtain a work permit.

A work permit for a foreigner may be issued under the following conditions:

• there are no specialists in the Republic of Lithuania who meet the qualification requirements of the employer;
  
• The employer undertakes to hire a foreigner on the basis of an employment contract for a period of at least 6 months;
  
• accompanying documents certifying the relevant qualifications of the foreigner and at least one year of work experience in accordance with his/her qualifications during the last two years, except for cases when the foreigner comes to work as an intern.
  

In this case, it is enough to obtain a national D visa for the period of work in Lithuania.

Pay attention to the following features of the foreign labor force in Lithuania:

• Work permits for foreigners are required even if they are not actually residing in the Republic of Lithuania, but are employed in the Republic of Lithuania under a remote work agreement;
  
• The salary of a foreign employee under an employment contract may not be less than the salary of residents of the Republic of Lithuania received by the same employer for similar work. If there are no such resident employees, the foreigner's salary may not be less than the average monthly gross salary in the relevant industry according to the latest published annual data of the Lithuanian Statistics Department.
  
• An employment agreement with a foreigner must be concluded in writing in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania in a language understood by the foreigner;
  

Important: a Schengen visa or visa-free entry to Lithuania with a biometric passport of a third country does not entitle a foreigner to work in the Republic of Lithuania on any basis (neither under an employment contract, nor in the case of a business trip to perform work under a contract between business entities, nor for self-employment).

The employer is obliged to register the employment agreement with the Lithuanian Labor Exchange within 2 months from the date of obtaining the Lithuanian Labor Exchange's permission to employ a foreigner.

Several types of employment contracts are possible:

• Indefinite term means ordinary employment agreements (contracts) for an indefinite period of time;
  
• For a fixed term - employment contracts for a certain period of time (up to 2 years, and up to 5 years if the parties agree), or for the duration of certain work;
  
• Temporary work is when work is performed in the interests of a person specified by a temporary employment agency (employer);
  
• Apprenticeship - when a professional qualification is obtained at the workplace;
  
• Project work is a fixed-term employment contract for the implementation of a specific project;
  
• Job sharing is when two employees agree to perform one job together;
  
• Work for several employers - performing the same function for several employers;
  
• Seasonal work is an employment contract for seasonal work.
  

The procedure and deadline for submitting documents, as well as the list of required documents, can be found on the website Lithuanian Employment Service..

It is always advisable to study potential employment opportunities before arriving in Lithuania to have a full understanding of the specific requirements of the labor market and which specialists have the best chances of finding a job.

There are several websites that post job openings in various industries.

The website "Work In Lithuania" provides job offers in international companies along with their brief description, number of employees and the date of the company's foundation in Lithuania.

The most popular job sites in Lithuania are:

• Work in Lithuania
• CV online
• CV market
• CV bankas
• LOVEJOB
• Voodoosales
• Start up CV
• CV.lt
• Scobo

The sites listed above are well known and all have an English interface, but most of the job descriptions are in Lithuanian, so additional translation will be required. Most of these sites provide an option to upload your resume so that employers can see it and contact you directly.

You can also apply to one of the main employment agencies that cooperate with large companies in Lithuania:

• Alliance for Recruitment
• Manpower
• Strategic Staffing Solutions;
• Simplika
• Biuro
• Info
• Headex

Are there any restrictions for foreigners when setting up or buying a company in Lithuania?

Foreigners wishing to establish or acquire a company in Lithuania have the same rights as Lithuanian citizens, and there are no special restrictions for them.

When establishing or buying a company in Lithuania, does the founder/buyer have to be directly involved and does he/she have to come to Lithuania?

A company can be established, and changes related to the sale and purchase of a company must be registered in the Register of Legal Entities on the basis of the relevant authorization form, i.e. without the direct participation of the founder/buyer.

The right of a foreigner who founded or bought a company in Lithuania to stay and/or reside in Lithuania

A foreigner who has a company in Lithuania has the right to come and stay in Lithuania on the basis of a visa, if he/she does not exceed the period of time specified in the visa.

An alien who is legally employed in Lithuania and whose stay in Lithuania is necessary to achieve the company's goals and conduct business may obtain a temporary residence permit in Lithuania on the basis of business issues;

A temporary residence permit is a document entitling an alien to reside in Lithuania for a specified period of time. An alien has the right to choose a place of residence in Lithuania, change it, leave Lithuania and return to Lithuania if the temporary residence permit is still valid. An alien who has a temporary residence permit in Lithuania may travel to the Schengen countries and stay there for up to 3 months. A person leaving Lithuania for more than 6 months must declare his/her departure;

A temporary residence permit in Lithuania is issued to an alien who is not a citizen of a European Union member state. It is usually issued for one year.

Can foreigners with certain permits start a business in Lithuania?

EU/EEA citizens need an ID card or passport to stay in Lithuania for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay longer, you must register and obtain a residence permit at the Department of Migration.

Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries require special visas and permits. Here are some other visas and permits required to start a business in Lithuania:

Obtaining a Schengen visa (C)

You are entitled to stay in Lithuania for 90 days on a Schengen visa. You must use these days within 180 days. Getting a Schengen visa is relatively easy and fast.

Acquisition of an EU blue card

The two-in-one permit (work permit and residence permit) is available for highly qualified non-EU nationals. It is valid for a maximum of three years and can be extended for another three years. You can bring your family with you. After five years, you will be eligible for permanent residence.

2-year residence permit;

The company must have been operating for at least six months before applying for a residence permit. The company's equity capital must be at least 28,000 euros. Foreign investors must invest at least EUR 14,000.

Starting a company: steps, costs, and deadlines

The main stages of setting up a company:

1. Selecting and reserving a company name

2. Preparation of constituent documents

3. Formation of authorized capital, opening a savings account in a bank (if necessary)

4. Providing constituent documents for notarization

5. Submission of notarized constituent documents to the Register of Legal Entities

Some forms of businesses can be established over the Internet if the founder has a qualified electronic signature and if other necessary conditions specified by law are met.

Buying a company: steps, costs, and deadlines

The main stages of buying and selling a company:

1. Preparation of documents

2. Payment of the share

3. Signing the company's purchase and sale documents

4. Registration of purchase and sale documents in the Register of Legal Entities

How much does it cost to register a company in Lithuania?

The state charges 574 euros for registering a UAB (private limited liability company);

Notary fees, which range from 102 to 232 euros, are not included in the state fee;

In Lithuania, there are no government costs associated with registering as a VAT payer. The price varies greatly depending on the bank where you decide to open your business account;

Additional fees for translation services may be charged (about 20-25 euros/page) if the business is established by a legal entity (company). The registration process takes three business days after the local authorities receive the required documents, and the total state fee ranges from EUR 290 to EUR 580.

State support for businesses with foreign capital;

State authorities have no right to interfere with the legal possession of property owned by foreign investors. In case of legal expropriation, investors are entitled to compensation equal to the market value of the confiscated property.

Lithuania is subject to WTO rules on capital investment as it is a member of the EU. Invest Lithuania is a government agency designed to attract more foreign investment. It functions as a one-stop shop for data on business costs, labor, taxes, legal implications, and other business issues. It also assists in setting up and launching companies, facilitates obtaining government funding, and advocates on behalf of shareholders for more investor-friendly legislation;

The government is also expanding its network of business agents; an attaché was recently appointed to work at the Consulate General in Los Angeles. Additional missions are being considered for Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.

Every year, the government invites foreign investors to a conference to discuss their concerns and suggestions for improving the investment climate in Lithuania

Legal working hours

The maximum working time, including overtime, should not exceed 48 hours in 7 working days. For employees who work part-time or have an additional employment contract at the same workplace, the daily working hours (including breaks for rest and meals) may not exceed 12 hours.

Paid vacation time

The minimum annual paid vacation is 28 calendar days. For certain categories of employees, the annual paid leave is 35 calendar days, namely: employees under the age of 18, employees who, as single parents, are raising a child under the age of 14 or a disabled child under the age of 16, disabled persons and other persons provided for by law.

Public holidays

The Labor Code defines 11 public holidays (13 calendar days in total) when no work is carried out at enterprises, institutions and organizations.

Minimum wage

In 2024, the minimum monthly wage in Lithuania is EUR 924. This represents an increase from the previous minimum wage of EUR 840. The minimum hourly wage has increased from EUR 5.15 to EUR 5.65.

If you are a foreigner looking for a job in Lithuania, here are some tips to help you in your job search:

1. Study the labor market: Start by researching the labor market in Lithuania to identify industries and sectors that are thriving and in demand for foreign workers. Look for vacancies that match your skills and qualifications.

2. Work permit and visa requirements: Make sure you understand the work permit and visa requirements for working in Lithuania. Contact the Lithuanian embassy or consulate in your country to get accurate and up-to-date information.

3. Edit your resume: Prepare your resume in a way that emphasizes your relevant skills and experience. Make sure it is well formatted, concise and free of errors. Consider including a cover letter that explains your interest in working in Lithuania.

4. Online job portals: Use online job portals and websites that specialize in connecting job seekers with employers in Lithuania. Some popular job portals in Lithuania include cv.lt,cvonline.lt and workinlithuania.lt. You can create profiles, upload your resume and apply for relevant vacancies.

5. Build connections: Networking is very important in the Lithuanian labor market. Join professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, attend industry events and job fairs. Communicate with professionals and recruiters in your field of interest to expand your network of contacts and learn about potential employment opportunities.

6. Localize your application: If you are not already in Lithuania, consider localizing your application by mentioning your willingness to relocate and highlighting any knowledge of the Lithuanian language or culture. This will show your commitment to working in the country.

7. Language skills: Although many international companies work in English, knowing Lithuanian can be helpful. Consider taking language courses or using language learning apps to improve your language skills.

8. Research the company: Before applying for a job, thoroughly research the company or organization you are interested in. Understand their values, culture, and any specific requirements they may have. Prepare your application to meet their needs.

9. Be proactive: Don't rely on online applications alone. Reach out directly to the companies you are interested in, introduce yourself and ask about potential vacancies. This proactive approach will help you stand out among other applicants.

10. Be persistent and have a positive attitude: Job hunting can take a lot of time and effort, so don't be discouraged if you don't get an immediate response. Be persistent, keep applying and keep a positive attitude throughout the process.

Don't forget to keep up to date with any changes in labor laws and market conditions in Lithuania. Good luck with your job search!