Relocation guide for newcomers to Kaunas

There are several ways to verify your identity online in Lithuania.
With electronic identification, you can sign documents, access various services, confirm financial transactions, and more. The available options depend on the identification method you choose.

Mobile-ID

Mobile-ID is a convenient way to confirm your identity using your phone. This service is provided by mobile network operators.
To use Mobile-ID, you must:

• Have a mobile service contract with a Lithuanian operator,
• Have a residence permit in Lithuania,
• Have declared your place of residence.

With Mobile-ID, you can verify your identity, sign documents, approve financial transactions, and perform many other secure actions.

Smart-ID

Smart-ID is an easy-to-use mobile app that offers several registration methods.

If you have a visa (but not a residence permit) and only need access to banking services, the Smart-ID Basic version is suitable. In this case, you must visit Šiaulių Bankas or Urbo Bank to open a bank account and register the app.

With Smart-ID General, you can verify your identity and approve financial transactions, though the ability to sign certain documents (e.g., for company formation) may be limited.

Cryptographic USB Key

If you prefer not to sign a contract with a mobile operator but still need to authenticate yourself, sign documents, approve financial operations, and more, you can choose a cryptographic USB key.
Visit elektroninis.lt/en for detailed instructions.
This physical USB device gives you flexibility — you can use it anytime you have access to a computer.

Identity Card

Similar to the cryptographic USB key, the Lithuanian identity card allows you to verify your identity, sign documents, and confirm financial transactions. However, you will need a special card reader to use it. More information is available via the MIGRIS system.

There are also other alternative identification methods, though their functionality is more limited. Therefore, one of the options listed above is recommended.

E-Resident Program

The E-Resident Program allows non-Lithuanian citizens to access various services provided by Lithuanian governmental institutions and other organizations. This includes company formation, tax declaration, opening a bank account, access to public e-services, and the use of a digital signature.

You can submit your application conveniently through the MIGRIS online system, with a fee of €90.

Personal income tax is an important part of Lithuania’s tax system. Lithuania applies a progressive income tax rate ranging from 20% to 32%, depending on the amount of income — the higher the income, the higher the tax rate. For employees working under an employment contract, income tax is deducted directly from their salary by the employer.

The non-taxable income amount (NPD) determines the portion of income that is exempt from personal income tax. The NPD depends on a person’s income level and, when applicable, their disability status.

Submitting an annual income tax return to the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) is now easier than ever. Simply visit vmi.lt — here you can file your return online and find detailed information about income tax. Based on the data you provide, the system automatically calculates the applicable tax rate.

In Lithuania, goods and services are subject to a 21% value-added tax (VAT), which is already included in the final prices shown on receipts and invoices. Certain companies may be exempt from VAT, and reduced or zero VAT rates apply to specific goods and services.

Once you declare your place of residence, you become eligible for compulsory health insurance (PSD), which ensures access to free healthcare services when needed. For individuals employed under an employment contract, social security and health insurance contributions are automatically deducted from their salary. However, if you are self-employed or not working, you must take care of these payments yourself. In 2024, the monthly contribution is €64.50. Payments can be made online or at designated locations such as Lithuanian Post offices or bank branches. More information is available at sodra.lt.

International students from the EU only need a European Health Insurance Card or an equivalent document confirming insurance coverage in another EU country. Students from non-EU countries are required to obtain private health insurance.

In Lithuania, compulsory health insurance (PSD) ensures that all residents have access to essential healthcare services.

For individuals employed under an employment contract, PSD contributions are automatically deducted from their salary. The state also provides insurance coverage for those employed through the Employment Service and for students. Self-employed or freelance workers must pay PSD contributions themselves. As of April 2024, the monthly PSD contribution is €64.50, which equals 6.98% of the minimum monthly wage in Lithuania.

Access to healthcare begins by registering at a public or private medical institution, which becomes your first point of contact for health-related matters. If necessary, your family doctor will refer you to specialists, including mental health services. When registering, it is advisable to request a doctor who speaks English if you are not sufficiently fluent in Lithuanian.

In Lithuania, both public and private healthcare options are available, each with its own advantages. Residents may register with either type of clinic depending on their needs and preferences. Public clinics are government-owned, while private medical centres operate independently.

Public hospitals and clinics usually have larger facilities and a wider range of doctors and specialists. This centralized structure often allows patients to resolve most medical needs in a single location, without needing referrals to other institutions—unless they prefer a specific doctor elsewhere.

Private medical centres often offer free consultations with family doctors, similar to public clinics. They tend to have shorter waiting times and a higher likelihood of providing English-speaking staff. While private clinics may have fewer specialists on-site, they are known for offering more personalized, client-focused care.

Importantly, patients seen in private clinics can receive referrals to specialists (e.g., cardiologists or paediatricians) and then register for appointments at any hospital in Kaunas, ensuring flexibility and convenient access to healthcare services.

Kaunas is home to more than 40,000 full-time students enrolled in higher education institutions, with over 50% specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

The three main universities in Kaunas are Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).

• Vytautas Magnus University offers a wide range of study programs — from social sciences to arts and technologies. Its most popular programs include psychology, public communication, and business administration.
• Lithuanian University of Health Sciences specializes in health sciences, offering strong programs in medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry. LSMU is considered one of the leading universities in the Baltic states and works closely with local hospitals, including the prestigious Kaunas Clinics — the largest hospital in the Baltics.
• Kaunas University of Technology stands out as the leading technological university in the Baltic region, known for its strong focus on innovation and research development. Its most sought-after programs include software systems, electronic engineering, and civil engineering.

Kaunas also has six colleges, the largest of which is Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, with more than 4,500 students.

More information about higher education institutions is available at lamabpo.lt.

Learning the local language — even just the basics — is an important step when settling in Kaunas. Even a small amount of knowledge can make a big difference, helping you communicate with more people and integrate more easily into the local culture.

There are many ways to learn Lithuanian, both online and in person. Online options include platforms such as Flyent.online and loecsen.com, which offer plenty of free learning materials.

If you prefer a classroom environment, several courses are available in Kaunas. One of them is SPEAK, a community-based learning platform that fosters interaction between locals and newcomers both online and in person, encouraging cultural exchange and language development. Suitable learning groups can be found at speak.social.

Other ways to learn Lithuanian at universities and private organizations include:

• Employment Service language courses – free for both job seekers and employed individuals. Lithuanian language programs are available to EU/EEA citizens and their family members living in Lithuania, as well as to third-country nationals with at least a one-year residence permit.
• Kaunas Education Innovation Centre – offers A1/A2 Lithuanian language courses consisting of 48 hours (20 lessons), priced at €170 per person.
• KTU Foreign Languages Centre – provides A1 and A2 level courses totaling 40 hours, priced at €130. Registration via email: [email protected].
• Vytautas Magnus University Baltic Summer University – organizes Lithuanian language courses allowing participants to improve their skills while learning about Lithuanian history and culture. Prices vary depending on whether the courses are taken online or in person.
• Ames.lt – offers Lithuanian lessons in Kaunas and online, starting from €30 per session.