Lithuania Startup Visa: Your Gateway to Living and Working in Europe
Thinking about moving to Europe and bringing your business idea to life? The Lithuanian Startup Visa might be your golden ticket. With it, you (and your family) can live in Lithuania for two years, and if things go well, you can stretch that to a total of five years.
And here’s a bonus you’ll love: it’s a Schengen visa. That means you can hop between 26 European countries without needing extra paperwork. Imagine spending a weekend in Paris, a business meeting in Berlin, and a quick getaway to Rome, all while growing your startup.
So, What Exactly Is the Lithuanian Startup Visa?
The Lithuania Startup Visa is a great chance for people outside Europe who want to start a new business. Since 2017, Lithuania has offered this visa to help creative and new ideas grow. With this visa, you can live in Lithuania and work on your startup. If your business is good, you can stay longer.
The best part? You don’t need to invest huge amounts of money or already have a job in Lithuania. All you need is a strong, innovative business plan and the green light from Lithuanian economic experts.
Why is it special? Compared to many other European startup visas, Lithuania’s program is one of the fastest and simplest ways to start working and living in Europe. It’s built to help new businesses grow, attract investment, and welcome talented people from around the world.
You’ll just need to show you have enough funds to kick-start and maintain your business in Lithuania.
| Title | Short Explanation |
|---|---|
| Type of Visa | Lithuania Startup Visa |
| Main Purpose | For new business people to start a business in Lithuania |
| Visa Length | Usually 1 year, can be renewed |
| Main Conditions | - New and creative idea - Have a team or one person - Good business plan |
| Needed Documents | -Passport -resume -business plan -money papers -invitation or acceptance from Lithuania incubator |
| How to Apply | Send papers to Lithuania immigration office. They check your startup idea |
| Help and Benefits | - Stay and work permission - Meet investors - Advice and help - Can extend visa and get permanent residence |
| Costs | Fee to check your visa request |
| Time to Check | Usually 2 to 3 months |
| Family Allowed | Yes, family can join |
| Path to Permanent Stay | Can ask for permanent stay after some years and business growth |
| Important Notes | Must show new idea, good plan, and enough money |
✅️ At Sugimoto Visa, we’ve helped many people take their first step toward living in Lithuania, and it’s often easier than they imagined. If you’re wondering whether it’s right for you, filling out our assessment form is the quickest way to find out.
🔎 Lithuania’s Startup Scene: Numbers That Speak Volumes
- By 2020, 230 fintech startups were employing over 4,000 people.
- In 2021, Lithuania had the highest number of licensed fintech companies in the EU.
- In 2023, Lithuanian startups raised €292 million in funding.
Benefits of Lithuania Startup Visa
Live in the Schengen Area:
- Live in the Schengen Area: When you get this visa, you can travel to 26 countries in Europe without extra visas. It opens many doors for you.
- Good Business Place: Lithuania is a friendly country for business. It is easy to start a company here. It is also strong in financial technology (fintech).
- Low Cost of Living: Life in Lithuania costs less money than in many other countries. You can live well without spending too much.
It also ranks:
- #11 in the world for ease of doing business
- #2 for the speed of starting a business
- #3 for the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe
And here’s something exciting: Lithuania is a fintech powerhouse. It’s 4th in the world for fintech innovation and has issued more fintech licenses than almost anywhere else.
Types of Lithuanian Startup Visa
Lithuania offers two main options:
National Visa ( Schengen Type D)
- Valid for two years, extendable for another three (up to five years total).
- Requirements include:
- An innovative business plan
- Proof of funds for one year of living expenses
- Entrepreneurial experience (nice to have, but not required)
Temporary Residence Permit
- After your initial two years, you can apply for this three-year permit if your business is growing.
- You’ll need to show:
- Evidence of business progress
- Full tax and fee payments
Who Can Apply?
If you’re at least 18 years old and have a promising business idea, especially in tech fields like IT, electronics, or nanotechnology, you’re off to a good start.
You don’t need a university degree (a high school diploma is enough), but having education or experience in your business field helps.
No Lithuanian language certificate is required, and you won’t need to invest a set amount before applying. You’ll just need enough to cover living costs, about €14,400 per year for one person.
Requirements and Documents
- Business Plan: You must have a new and growing idea. Show a smart plan for your business.
- Money: You need money to live for one year. This is about 14,400 euros for one person. If you bring family, you need more money.
- ID Papers: You need a valid passport, photos, a clean criminal record, and health insurance with enough money coverage (at least 30,000 euros). You also need papers for money and property.
- Language and Education: You do not need a language test or diploma, but having them helps you.
Costs and Timing
- Fees:
- Visa fee: Between 60 and 120 euros, depending on where you apply
- Health insurance: €30,000 coverage required
- Proof of funds: €7,284 minimum
- Processing time: 7–15 working days after application submission
- Extra Costs: You must pay for your living money, health insurance, and some administration fees.
- Processing Time:
- It takes about 7 to 15 working days to get an answer.
Steps to Get the Visa
- Apply Online: Go to the official website startupvisalithuania.com. Put your personal details, team, product, and plan there.
- Video Interview: If they like your plan, they will invite you to an online video talk.
- Evaluation: A committee will check your plan and interview carefully.
- Get Permission to Stay: When they say yes, you get a temporary residence permit.
- Start Your Business: You must start your company within 120 days after you come to Lithuania.
Best Cities in Lithuania for Startups
- Vilnius: The capital city and a big technology center.
- Kaunas: A university city with many new ideas.
- Klaipeda: A port city with international business chances.
How is the Corporate Tax System in Lithuania?
The basic corporate tax rate in Lithuania is 15%, applied to various income types including business activities, capital gains, investment income, and other active or passive income sources.
A reduced tax rate of 5% applies to small companies with an annual turnover below €290,000 and fewer than 10 employees. The main value-added tax (VAT) rate is 21%, which is only applied if the company meets one of the following conditions:
- The company’s taxable supplies of goods or services exceed €45,000 per month in a year.
- The company purchases goods worth more than €14,000 annually from EU member states.
- The company is controlled by multiple legal entities, and the combined income from goods or services exceeds €45,000 within 12 months.
Why This Visa Could Change Your Life
Beyond the business perks, the Lithuanian Startup Visa also offers:
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen zone
- Free public education for your children
- Full-time work rights for your spouse
- Free basic health insurance coverage
And yes, it can lead to permanent residency after five years, provided you meet the requirements.
✅ Obtaining Permanent Residency in Lithuania with the Startup Visa
To qualify for permanent residency, you must have at least 5 years of legal and continuous residence in Lithuania.
Permanent Residency Requirements:
- Continuous Residence: During these 5 years, you must spend at least half of your time in Lithuania (meaning you can be outside Lithuania for a maximum of 6 months per year).
- Financial Stability: Proof of a stable income from your startup or other sources (at least equivalent to living expenses, approximately €1,200 per month).
- Health Insurance: Valid health insurance coverage throughout the entire 5 years.
- Clean Criminal Record: Providing certificates of no criminal record from both Lithuania and your country of origin.
- Integration into Society: Basic proficiency in the Lithuanian language (A2 level or higher) and familiarity with Lithuanian culture and laws.
Ready to Begin Your Lithuania Startup Journey?
If you’ve got an idea that’s been sitting in your notebook or bouncing around in your head, this could be your moment to bring it to life in one of Europe’s fastest-growing startup hubs.
At Sugimoto Visa, we’ve guided countless entrepreneurs through the Lithuanian Startup Visa process. From fine-tuning your business plan to preparing your documents and acing your interview, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Your idea deserves a chance to shine. Let’s turn it into reality and open doors to a new life in Lithuania and beyond.
FAQs
It’s a special work visa that lets entrepreneurs launch innovative businesses in Lithuania. On top of building your dream company, you’ll enjoy perks like visa-free travel across the Schengen zone, free basic health insurance, free public schooling for your kids, and a full-time work permit for your spouse.
The first visa you get is valid for two years. If your business is doing well, you can extend it for another three years, giving you a total of five years before you even think about switching to permanent residency.
You’ll need an innovative business idea, a well-prepared business plan, and approval from Lithuania’s official evaluation committee (Enterprise Lithuania). Think of it as showing them your vision and convincing them it has real potential.
Yes! If you’ve lived in Lithuania for five continuous years (while meeting financial, language, and legal requirements), you can apply for permanent residency.
Absolutely. The Startup Visa is a Type D Schengen visa, which means you can explore 26 countries in the Schengen Area without extra visas.
Nope. Lithuania won’t ask you to put down a set sum or hire employees before approval. You just need to prove you have enough money to support yourself (and your family, if they’re coming along) for at least 12 months.
It’s a step-by-step journey:
– Apply online with your business plan and personal details.
– Take part in a short online interview.
– Wait for evaluation by the startup committee.
– Receive your approval letter.
– Apply for your residence permit and move to Lithuania to start your business.
Yes. Your spouse can work full-time, and your kids can attend public schools for free, giving your whole family a smooth start in Lithuania.
Source: migracija.lt
