Lithuania is a member of the European Union, the Council of Europe, a full member of the Eurozone, Schengen Agreement. Lithuania offers a residency program, better known and referred to as a Golden Visa program, that allows foreign nationals to pave their way to a citizenship by investing in the country.
Program Overview
Lithuania offers a residency program, more aptly referred to as a Golden Visa program, that allows foreign nationals to pave their way to a citizenship by investing in the country. There are two ways to obtain a residence permit in Lithuania; through opening a BUSINESS and through opening a BRANCH. Both options are offered if the applicant intends to start a business in Lithuania or owns a company in their home country and would like to incorporate a branch of it in Lithuania and start a business.
Program Benefits
There are many major advantages that come with enrolling in the program. Let’s take a look at some of these advantages.
- You can gain permanent residency through the program and eventually qualify for citizenship.
- Even with temporary residency, you gain the right to travel throughout the EU Schengen Zone and EU member countries without any restrictions.
- You can work in Lithuania without restrictions.
- Family members are covered by the program.
- Lithuania is ripe with business opportunities. It’s the right place to invest.
- As the holder of a residence permit, you are entitled to the same privileges that are typically offered to Lithuanian citizens. This includes maternity benefits, medical care, unemployment benefits, and other social privileges.
- Permanent residence is offered in Lithuania after 5 years, and candidates can receive citizenship after 10 years.
- Family members can also be part of the Lithuanian Golden Visa.
- With the Lithuanian passport by investment, you can travel without restrictions to Schengen and EU member states.
- With the Lithuanian investment visa, candidates can enjoy all the benefits offered to Lithuanians, such as medical care and other social concessions.
Program Qualifications
In order to obtain a temporary residence permit in Lithuania through opening a new Business, the investment must fulfil the following conditions:
- The investor must be a shareholder or director of the real working company in Lithuania
- The capital of the company is not less than 50,000 EUR;
- The company has a reasonable business plan;
- The presence of the investor is necessary for the business activities of a company.
- The company is operating not less than 6 months before applying (real business operations).
- The company must employ one or more employees (Lithuanians) and pay labor taxes every
- Lithuanian investment visa is addressed to those who want to open their business in this country. The business project is analyzed by the authorities before the investment.
- The foreign investor must prove that he is a director or shareholder of the company he intends to open in Lithuania.
- The business plan must be reasonable and doable.
- The foreign investor must hire Lithuanian workers and pay social security contributions.
(In the case of a residency permit through a Branch, the requirement would be that the branch in the home country has to be an active business operating more than a year)
Investment Options
There are two ways to obtain a residence permit in Lithuania; through opening a BUSINESS and through opening a BRANCH.
Both options are offered if the applicant intends to start a business in Lithuania or owns a company in home country and would like to incorporate a branch of it in Lithuania and start a business.
For opening a business in Lithuania, the capital of the company must not be less than €50,000. For opening a brunch there is no such minimum requirement.
FAQs about Lithuania & The Citizenship by Investment Program
- Do you need to give up your current citizenship?
Lithuania is among the countries that allow dual citizenship in exceptional cases. In the majority of cases, Lithuanian citizenship through one’s ancestry is considered as such; therefore you most likely won’t have to give up your existing citizenship status.
- Is your spouse eligible for Lithuanian citizenship?
After you restored your Lithuanian citizenship, your spouse, unfortunately, would not be granted Lithuanian citizenship automatically. However, if you decide to move to any EU country, your spouse would be eligible for residence, work permit, and would be able to live in the EU together with you. After living in the EU for some time, they would be able to get a permanent residence permit, and eventually – citizenship. Actual citizenship rules differ from country to country, but for life and work purposes it is enough that one person has Lithuanian citizenship, which would allow you and your spouse to live and work anywhere in the EU.
- Are there any additional requirements like knowledge of the Lithuanian language or residing in Lithuania?
There are no additional requirements after you have restored your Lithuanian citizenship. There’s no language requirement, i.e. no tests or exams, as well as you do not need to reside in Lithuania for a certain period after your citizenship has been granted.
With the reinstatement of your Lithuanian citizenship come all the incredible benefits of an EU national. You will have full and immediate access to all of them once you receive your Lithuanian passport
Make Lithuania your second home
Visa-Free Countries
2,793,694
POPULATION
US$41,288
GDP (per capita)
US$107 billion
GDP (purchasing power parity)
CAPITAL CITY
Vilnius
TIME ZONE
EET (UTC+2)
TOTAL AREA
65,300 km2
LANGUAGES
Lithuanian
CURRENCY
Euro €
MAIN INDUSTRY
Manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade, repair of goods; real estate
SCHENGEN/ EU
Member
KEY ADVANTAGES
- Eligibility to live, study and work in Lithuania
- Corporate tax rate is one of the lowest among EU countries
- Most of the population speak more than 2 languages
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Disclaimer
The materials contained in this page are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or other professional advice. Processing times and costs will vary depending on a number of factors. CitizenMatch is not responsible for any changes to the time and cost estimates; we can provide specific information on an individual basis. All rights reserved.