Living or working in Lithuania? We answer the questions nobody explains.
Permits, benefits, family, losing your job. You do not need to read the legislation — ask us and get a clear answer about your own situation.
Most people who move here do not know what they are entitled to
Every year people lose benefits they were entitled to, simply because they did not apply in time or did not know they could. If you work in Lithuania, you pay the same social insurance contributions as Lithuanian nationals — and you have the same entitlements.
What you are entitled to while working in Lithuania
If you have paid Lithuanian social insurance for 12 months, you are almost certainly entitled to the same parental benefits as a Lithuanian national.
These benefits depend on how long you have paid social insurance contributions, not on the type of permit you hold.
Maternity benefit
You qualify if, before the first day of pregnancy and childbirth leave, you have at least 12 months of maternity social insurance record within the last 24 months. The benefit is 77.58% of your compensated earnings.
Paternity benefit
The same requirement — 12 months within the last 24. This is paid leave for the father after the birth. Many fathers who move here find out about it only after the deadline has passed.
Childcare benefit
Paid until the child reaches 18 or 24 months — you choose which option. The same 12-month record within 24 months applies. Since 1 June 2026 the benefit is available to a wider group, including those with no entitlement to maternity or paternity benefit under the social insurance system.
Unemployment benefit
Requires at least 12 months of unemployment insurance record within the last 30 months and registration with the Employment Service. Paid for up to 9 months. Here your permit type does matter — see below.
Sickness benefit
Requires at least 3 months of insurance record within the last 12 months.
Insurance from another country counts
If you worked in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland before moving here, that period can be counted once the relevant certificate is provided. This often decides whether a benefit is payable at all, particularly in your first years in Lithuania.
If you lose your job
With a Blue Card you have time. With a standard work permit you do not — the permit ends with the job.
This depends on the permit you hold, and the difference is significant.
If you hold an EU Blue Card
You have six months from the end of your employment to start work with a new employer. You can register with the Employment Service and, with a sufficient insurance record, claim unemployment benefit. After 12 months you can change employer freely, with no application to the Migration Department. Before 12 months you need permission, which is decided within 14 calendar days.
If you hold a standard work-based temporary residence permit
When the employment ends, the legal basis for staying in Lithuania ends with it and the permit is revoked. You cannot register with the Employment Service in this situation. This is why you need to act in the same week, not the following month.
What to do first
Do not wait for deadlines to pass. Get in touch immediately — there are often options that no longer exist a month later.
Your family
In most cases yes, you can bring your spouse and children — and the terms are better if you hold a Blue Card.
- Residence permits for your spouse and children through family reunification
- Whether your spouse will be allowed to work in Lithuania
- Registering children, declaring your address
- Family and child benefits — what applies and where to apply
- What to do if your status or employer changes while your family is already here
Family reunification conditions are more favourable for Blue Card holders than for standard permit holders. If you are still negotiating your contract with an employer, this is worth clarifying before you sign.
Your permit
Apply to renew no earlier than 6 months and no later than 1 working day before your permit expires.
- Renewal — when to apply and what not to miss
- Changing employer: when permission is required and when notification is enough
- Changing job function with the same employer
- Moving from a standard permit to an EU Blue Card
- The route to permanent residence
- What to do if your application was refused
Important: an application to change a permit can be submitted no earlier than 6 months before it expires and no later than 1 working day before. Miss that and the process starts again from the beginning.
How we work
Clearly.
We explain your situation in plain language — no article numbers, no "it depends on the circumstances".
Specifically.
We tell you what you are entitled to, by when you need to apply, and exactly what to do next.
Honestly.
If there is no solution in your case, we say so upfront — not after you have paid.
We advise you whether or not your employer is our client. We work in English and Russian.
Questions we are asked
- Can I contact you directly, without my employer?
- Yes. We work with individuals as well as companies.
- Am I entitled to maternity benefit if I have only worked in Lithuania for a year?
- Most likely yes — the requirement is 12 months of insurance record within the last 24 months. If you worked in another EU country before that, the period may also count.
- I lost my job. How long do I have?
- It depends on your permit type, and the difference is significant. Tell us which permit is on your card and we will answer precisely.
- Can I bring my family?
- In most cases yes. The conditions depend on your permit type and how long you have been in Lithuania.
- Can my children attend school in Lithuania?
- Yes. We help with registration and documentation.
Are you an employer rather than an employee? See our guide on residence permits and EU Blue Cards for companies hiring in Lithuania.
Residence permits for employees in LithuaniaConsultations
A consultation is a paid, focused session where we look at your specific situation and tell you exactly what applies to you and what to do next.
30-minute consultation
For a single defined question.
60-minute consultation
For a situation with several moving parts, or where documents need reviewing.
If you go on to instruct us for the work itself, the consultation fee is deducted from the final cost.
We answer short factual questions by email at no charge. A consultation is for advice on your own circumstances.
Tell us your situation
Fill this in and we will reply within one working day telling you whether we can help, what it would involve and what it would cost. There is no charge for this reply.