Lithuania · Work
Lithuania Work permit
Income needed: from €2,411 a month ≈ $2,690
Temporary residence permit – work under an employment contract
Checked against official sources on Record corrected 13 Oct 2026Change log
Key facts
Work permit is a work route for Lithuania. Applicants need income from €2,411 a month ≈ $2,690. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- from €2,411 a month ≈ $2,690
- Government fees
- €220 ≈ $250 · €100 ≈ $110
- Processing
- Up to 90 days
- First stay
- 2 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: 2 government fees listed below; income to show from €2,411/mo ≈ $2,690; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees€220 ≈ $250 · €100 ≈ $110
- EUR 220 (≈ $250)State fee, general procedure (decision within 3 months); EUR440 (≈ $490) for urgent processing (45 days).
- EUR 100 (≈ $110)Only when changing employer or job function with the same employer: examination of the application and decision.
Shown, not spent€2,411+/mo ≈ $2,690 · +2 more
- EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690)1 BDU (last published calendar-year average gross monthly wage in the national economy) stated by the Migration Department; alternative to proving a relevant qualification plus one year of experience in the last 3 years.
- EUR 2,893.68 a month (≈ $3,230)1.2 BDU: wage required once the 2026 quota is used, and paid for the whole permit period.
- EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690)1 BDU: wage required once the quota is used for professions on the list of shortage high-value-added professions.
RenewalRenewable
Issued for the period of work, up to 2 years, and can be changed (extended) while the work continues.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
A permanent residence permit is available after 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence in Lithuania; the state language and Constitution exams are required.
CitizenshipAfter 10 years of residence
Naturalisation needs the last 10 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence in Lithuania on any residence document (a year counts when at least six months of it were spent in Lithuania), the right of permanent residence when applying, the state language and Constitution exams, a lawful source of income, and giving up other citizenship unless it is lost automatically (Law on Citizenship XI-1196, Arts. 2(18) and 18).
ProcessingUp to 90 days
A first temporary residence permit decision is due within 3 months of the application.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Lithuania
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The contract is for at least 6 months at full working time.
- The employer has carried out the activity for at least the last 6 months.
- Applicants have a qualification and at least one year of relevant experience in the last 3 years.
- Alternatively, applicants earn a wage of at least 1 BDU.
What you must show4
- 1 BDU is currently EUR 2,411.40 (≈ $2,690), the last published calendar-year average gross monthly wage.
- Once the 2026 quota of 24,706 is used, the wage is at least 1.2 BDU (EUR 2,893.68 (≈ $3,230)) for the whole permit period.
- Once the quota is used, shortage high-value-added professions need at least 1 BDU.
- Pay is not lower than that of a comparable local employee, or than the average gross monthly wage in the economic activity if there is none.
Steps4
- The employer files the intermediation letter in MIGRIS; from 1 September 2026 a letter that does not state the 1.2 BDU (or 1 BDU) wage is returned for correction and rejected if not corrected.
- Permits are issued while the annual quota is unused.
- The quota does not apply to permit changes or to people who finished studies in Lithuania within 5 years.
- The quota does not apply to temporary-protection holders and certain family and humanitarian permit holders.
After you arrive1
- Changing employer or job function with the same employer needs a Migration Department decision; the state fee is EUR 100 (≈ $110).
When you become tax resident
How Lithuania decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 2 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a tax periodPresent in Lithuania, continuously or with breaks, 183 days or more in the tax period makes the person a permanent resident.
- At least 280 days in a two successive tax periodsPresent 280 days or more over successive tax periods, with at least 90 days in one of them.
- Foreign-source income
Worldwide, treaty exception
Permanent residents of Lithuania are taxed on income from Lithuanian and foreign sources: 20% up to 36 average wages, 25% from 36 to 60 average wages and 32% above 60 average wages (average wage as set for state social insurance contributions).
All tax rules for Lithuania Tax records checked
Full official text
Temporary residence permit for work under an employment contract. The employer first files an intermediation letter in MIGRIS. Permits are issued within an annual quota (24,706 for 2026; 22,552 units used and 5,577 applications pending on 21 August 2026); once the quota is used a higher wage is required. The employer commits to a full-time contract of at least 6 months and to having run the activity for at least 6 months. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690) · 1 BDU (last published calendar-year average gross monthly wage in the national economy) stated by the Migration Department; alternative to proving a relevant qualification plus one year of experience in the last 3 years. 1 4
- Income of at least EUR 2,893.68 a month (≈ $3,230) · 1.2 BDU: wage required once the 2026 quota is used, and paid for the whole permit period. 1 4
- Income of at least EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690) · 1 BDU: wage required once the quota is used for professions on the list of shortage high-value-added professions. 1 4
- A fee of EUR 220 (≈ $250) · State fee, general procedure (decision within 3 months); EUR440 (≈ $490) for urgent processing (45 days). 1 5
- A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Only when changing employer or job function with the same employer: examination of the application and decision. 5
Requirements
- The contract is for at least 6 months at full working time. 1
- The employer has carried out the activity for at least the last 6 months. 1
- Applicants have a qualification and at least one year of relevant experience in the last 3 years. 1
- Alternatively, applicants earn a wage of at least 1 BDU. 1
- 1 BDU is currently EUR 2,411.40 (≈ $2,690), the last published calendar-year average gross monthly wage. 1 4
- Once the 2026 quota of 24,706 is used, the wage is at least 1.2 BDU (EUR 2,893.68 (≈ $3,230)) for the whole permit period. 1 4
- Once the quota is used, shortage high-value-added professions need at least 1 BDU. 1 4
- Pay is not lower than that of a comparable local employee, or than the average gross monthly wage in the economic activity if there is none. 3
- The employer files the intermediation letter in MIGRIS; from 1 September 2026 a letter that does not state the 1.2 BDU (or 1 BDU) wage is returned for correction and rejected if not corrected. 1 4
- Permits are issued while the annual quota is unused. 1 2
- The quota does not apply to permit changes or to people who finished studies in Lithuania within 5 years. 1 2
- The quota does not apply to temporary-protection holders and certain family and humanitarian permit holders. 1 2
- Changing employer or job function with the same employer needs a Migration Department decision; the state fee is EUR 100 (≈ $110). 5
Stay
- Issued or changed for the period of work in Lithuania, up to 2 years. Changing employer needs the Migration Department decision and is possible 6 months after issue.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Third-country nationals; acceptance of non-priority applications is suspended in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe from 15 September 2026.
Work
Only for the employer who committed to hire.
Family
Family members can join only after the permit holder has lived in Lithuania for 2 years on a permit issued for at least one year and has reasonable prospects of permanent residence.
Official sources
- MIGRIS: Darbas pagal darbo sutartį (work under employment contract) · Migration Department, Ministry of the Interior (MIGRIS) · checked 2026-10-10
- MIGRIS notice: tarpininkavimų raštų teikimas nuo 2026 m. rugsėjo 1 d. (work-permit quota) · Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (MIGRIS) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-08-21
- Law on the Legal Status of Aliens No IX-2206, consolidated text valid 2026-07-01 to 2026-10-31 (Lithuanian) · Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (e-seimas) · checked 2026-10-11
- Changes to the procedure for intermediation letters and applications subject to the foreign worker quota · Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-09-14
- Residence permits · Official migration authority · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-12
- Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania No XI-1196, consolidated text from 2024-01-01, Arts. 2, 18 and 19 · Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (e-seimas) · checked 2026-10-12
Work permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | Needs income from €2,411 a month ≈ $2,690 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Work or business · 7 countries | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| Collective relocation permit | Needs an investment of €1.4M+ ≈ $1.6M | 3 yr | Yes |
| Large-project investor permit | Needs an investment of €20M+ ≈ $22.3M | 3 yr | – |
| Blue Card | Needs income from €2,894 a month ≈ $3,230 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Work permit?
Income of at least EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690). 1 BDU (last published calendar-year average gross monthly wage in the national economy) stated by the Migration Department; alternative to proving a relevant qualification plus one year of experience in the last 3 years. Income of at least EUR 2,893.68 a month (≈ $3,230). 1.2 BDU: wage required once the 2026 quota is used, and paid for the whole permit period. Income of at least EUR 2,411.4 a month (≈ $2,690). 1 BDU: wage required once the quota is used for professions on the list of shortage high-value-added professions. A fee of EUR 220 (≈ $250). State fee, general procedure (decision within 3 months); EUR440 (≈ $490) for urgent processing (45 days).
How long can I stay on the Work permit?
Issued or changed for the period of work in Lithuania, up to 2 years.
How long does the Work permit take to process?
A first temporary residence permit decision is due within 3 months of the application.
Can I work on the Work permit?
Limited. Only for the employer who committed to hire.
Can I bring my family on the Work permit?
Family members can join only after the permit holder has lived in Lithuania for 2 years on a permit issued for at least one year and has reasonable prospects of permanent residence.
Does the Work permit lead to permanent residence in Lithuania?
Time on the Work permit counts toward permanent residence in Lithuania, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Work permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.
How are Work permit holders taxed in Lithuania?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Work permit. The standard rules apply: Permanent residents of Lithuania are taxed on income from Lithuanian and foreign sources: 20% up to 36 average wages, 25% from 36 to 60 average wages and 32% above 60 average wages (average wage as set for state social insurance contributions).
More in Lithuania
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- MIGRIS: Darbas pagal darbo sutartį (work under employment contract) · Migration Department, Ministry of the Interior (MIGRIS) · checked 2026-10-10
- MIGRIS notice: tarpininkavimų raštų teikimas nuo 2026 m. rugsėjo 1 d. (work-permit quota) · Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (MIGRIS) · checked 2026-10-10
- Law on the Legal Status of Aliens No IX-2206, consolidated text valid 2026-07-01 to 2026-10-31 (Lithuanian) · Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (e-seimas) · checked 2026-10-11
- Changes to the procedure for intermediation letters and applications subject to the foreign worker quota · Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior · checked 2026-10-12
- Residence permits · Official migration authority · checked 2026-10-12
- Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania No XI-1196, consolidated text from 2024-01-01, Arts. 2, 18 and 19 · Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (e-seimas) · checked 2026-10-12
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.