Lithuania Startup Visa
Lithuania LTU
Lithuania's Startup Visa is designed for innovative entrepreneurs and startup founders who wish to build scalable, technology-driven businesses from within the EU. The application is assessed by Startup Lithuania, which evaluates the novelty, scalability, and commercial potential of the proposed venture; approved applicants receive a one-year permit that is renewable as long as the business continues to develop. After five years of continuous legal residence, startup visa holders may apply for permanent residency, with Lithuanian (and therefore EU) citizenship accessible after a further period.
Program Details
- Category
- Entrepreneur
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Application Fee
- $135
- Minimum Income
- —
- Minimum Investment
- —
- Family Included
- Spouse and dependent children may apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification alongside the primary startup visa holder
- Path to PR
- Yes — 5 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 10 years
- Physical Presence
- Must reside in Lithuania and actively develop the business; extended absences can affect permit renewal and the qualifying period for permanent residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Tax Impact
- Holders who establish tax residency in Lithuania are subject to Lithuanian income tax on worldwide income. Lithuania's progressive income tax rates top out at 32%. Standard EU double taxation treaties apply.
- Renewal Cost
- $135
No fixed personal income minimum; applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and operate the business. A viable startup idea and business plan are the primary evaluation criteria.
Application Timeline
Apply
2mo processing
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 5 years
Citizenship
After 10 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Innovative startup idea or an already registered company in Lithuania
- ✓Business plan demonstrating scalability, innovation, and commercial viability
- ✓Evaluation and positive assessment by Startup Lithuania or a designated expert committee
- ✓Proof of sufficient financial resources to support the applicant during the initial period
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Health insurance valid in Lithuania
Am I eligible for Lithuania Startup Visa?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Nationality eligibility
Select your nationality to check.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Nationality Restrictions
This program restricts applications from nationals of: EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not require this visa, Applicants must have their startup idea evaluated and approved by Startup Lithuania or a designated expert committee
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Apply to Startup Lithuania for endorsement
home countrySubmit startup idea, pitch, team composition to Startup Lithuania (Invest Lithuania). Evaluation committee reviews innovation potential.
Typical duration: 4-8 weekssource ↗
- 02
Receive Startup Lithuania endorsement
home countryIf approved, endorsement letter issued. Valid to apply for residence permit.
Typical duration: 2 weeks
- 03
Apply for residence permit at Migration Department
home countrySubmit national visa + residence permit application with endorsement, business plan, criminal record, health insurance, passport.
Typical duration: 8-12 weekssource ↗
- 04
Receive permit and enter Lithuania
destination1-year initial permit, renewable. Must establish and operate the Lithuanian business.
Typical duration: 4 weeks post-arrival for formalities
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Home country | No | — | 180 |
| Startup Lithuania endorsement | Invest Lithuania | No | — | 180 |
| Business plan | Applicant | No | — | — |
| Criminal record | Home country | Yes | lt | 90 |
| Health insurance | Insurer | No | — | 365 |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, translations, apostilles, health_insurance_first_year, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.
Lithuania is among the cheapest EU jurisdictions; Startup Lithuania provides substantial free support.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait2–6 weeks
- Decision → arrival2 weeks
- Residence card issuance8 weeks
- Total to residence card12–22 weeks
Lithuanian Migration Department is generally efficient.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 12 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 24 months
- Renewal fee
- $120
- Requirements
- Startup operational; endorsement maintained.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 5
- Language test
- Required (A2)
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 10
- Language test
- Yes (B1)
- Civic test
- Required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Worldwide income
- Exit-tax country
- No
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- Yes
Examples: Gjensidige, Ergo, Cigna Global
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Spouse on family reunification permit may work
- Child school enrolment
- Public Lithuanian schools + international options limited
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠Lithuania generally does not allow dual citizenship — naturalisation usually requires renouncing original
- ⚠Endorsement committee highly selective — many applications rejected at stage 1
- ⚠10-year citizenship track (not 5 like Portugal) plus language + civic test
- ⚠Low cost but also low visibility — limited ecosystem relative to Berlin/Amsterdam/Lisbon
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Employment outside the endorsed startup
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Startup idea not innovative enough per endorsement committee
- •Business plan not demonstrating viability
- •Team without relevant experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my original citizenship?+
Usually not. Lithuania allows dual citizenship mostly for those who left before 1990 and their descendants. Naturalisation generally requires renouncing original citizenship.
Is this better than Estonia for remote work?+
Different goals. Estonia Digital Nomad Visa is for already-employed remote workers with foreign income. Lithuania Startup Visa is for founders building a Lithuanian company. Estonia does not require you to run a Lithuanian business.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.