Lithuania Startup Visa

Lithuania's Startup Visa is a temporary residence permit for non-EU founders who want to build an innovative startup in Lithuania. It works in two steps: Startup Lithuania, part of Innovation Agency Lithuania, evaluates the business idea, then the Migration Department decides on the residence permit.

It is a residence route for people who will run their own company in Lithuania, not a remote work visa. Founders must register the company within 120 days of receiving the permit.

• Who it is for: non-EU founders of innovative startups.
• First permit: 2 years.
• Renewal: Renewable once for 3 more years, up to 5 years in total; same state fee as a first permit (EUR 160 general, EUR 320 urgent).
• Funds: €1,153 a month in 2026, equal to one minimum monthly wage.
• Family: spouse or registered partner and children can join.
• Where to apply: online in MIGRIS, then in person at a Migration Department office in Lithuania or a VFS Global center abroad.

The route is open to non-EU nationals whose startup has been approved by Startup Lithuania. The evaluation looks at whether the business is innovative and relevant to Lithuania's economy; the approval letter does not guarantee the permit, which the Migration Department decides (Startup Lithuania guidebook).

Startup Lithuania says visa applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens are suspended, except where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mediates (Startup Lithuania).

• Means of subsistence: one minimum monthly wage for each month of the stay, shown for at least 12 months. In 2026 that is €1,153 a month, or €13,836 for the year. The minimum wage changes every January, so the amount moves with it (guidebook, EURES).
• Health insurance: cover of at least €30,000, valid for 12 months in the EU and including repatriation.
• Clean record: a certificate of non-conviction.

No minimum age, education level or investment amount is set in the official guidance.

The permit application is filed after Startup Lithuania approves the startup. The Startup Lithuania guidebook lists what the Migration Department expects:

• Approval letter from Startup Lithuania.
• Valid passport.
• Proof of funds of €13,836 for 12 months, with documents showing where the money comes from, such as bank statements or an employment contract.
• Health insurance of at least €30,000, valid in the EU for 12 months. It can be uploaded with the application or brought to the appointment.
• Certificate of non-conviction.
• Accommodation: a housing document, or a commitment to declare a place of residence in Lithuania within one month of collecting the permit.

Documents issued by government authorities, such as the certificate of non-conviction, must be legalized or carry an apostille, depending on the issuing country. Other documents, such as bank statements, must be notarized. Anything not in Lithuanian or English needs a certified translation.

A spouse or partner brings a marriage or domestic partnership certificate; children need a birth certificate. These documents should be translated into Lithuanian.

• State fee, general procedure: €160.
• State fee, urgent procedure: €320.
• VFS Global service fee: charged on top when applying at a VFS center; the amount depends on the country.

The same state fees apply to each family member's permit and to a renewal. Startup Lithuania charges no separate fee for the startup evaluation in its published guidance (guidebook).

Other costs vary: health insurance, apostilles or legalization, notarization and certified translations. Founders also need to show €13,836 in funds, which is not a fee but must be in place before applying.

1. Startup evaluation: Startup Lithuania evaluates the startup online through an application form, a video pitch and an expert committee, then issues an approval letter (Startup Lithuania).
2. Online application: in MIGRIS, the path is temporary residence permit, then "Legal activity", then "I am a start-up". Applicants choose the Migration Department if already living in Lithuania or an external service provider for a VFS Global center abroad.
3. Appointment: originals and biometric data are submitted in one visit. A VFS Global appointment is booked separately on the VFS website.
4. Decision: 1 month under the general procedure; the urgent procedure costs more and is faster. Delivery of the card to a country abroad adds time.
5. After approval: register the company within 120 days and email Startup Lithuania within 3 working days of registration, with the registration certificate and incorporation documents.

Startup Lithuania recommends a private limited liability company (UAB) for most startups; a small partnership (MB) needs no starting capital and suits very early projects (guidebook).

The first permit lasts 2 years (Startup Lithuania). Renewal: Renewable once for 3 more years, up to 5 years in total; same state fee as a first permit (EUR 160 general, EUR 320 urgent).

Family members usually receive permits for the same periods. They may stay in Lithuania as long as the founder does, unless they hold a permit on another basis. A spouse needs no separate work permit to work in Lithuania (guidebook).

Staying longer: Yes, through general rules: permanent residence (EU long-term resident permit) after 5 years living in Lithuania on temporary residence permits, normally with Lithuanian language and Constitution exams (Migration Information Center).

The first deadline comes early: the company must be registered within 120 days of receiving the permit.

The Startup Visa carries no special tax regime. Founders and their companies follow Lithuania's ordinary tax rules.

An individual becomes tax resident by being present in Lithuania for 183 days or more in a calendar year. A second test counts longer presence across two successive tax years, and a permanent home or main personal and economic interests in Lithuania also make a person resident (Law on Personal Income Tax, Article 4).

Health cover is a related cost. Residents pay compulsory health insurance contributions; a non-EU founder who is not employed under a contract should buy private health insurance (guidebook).

Founders with income or clients in more than one country should check how Lithuania and the home country treat that income and whether a tax treaty applies.