Lithuania Travel Advice, Embassies & Tourist Offices

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Lithuania set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Lithuania follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: 

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Lithuania, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: 

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Lithuania are different.  

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area. 

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport. 

At Lithuanian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home
• show proof of your travel insurance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay – the amount varies depending on your accommodation

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, you must meet the Lithuanian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or permit you need with the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK .

If you stay in Lithuania with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Read about passport stamping if you live in Lithuania. 

Arriving from Belarus, Ukraine or Russia 

If you arrive in Lithuania from Belarus, Ukraine or Russia, including the Kaliningrad Oblast, and need help, call +370 5246 2900 and select ‘calling about an emergency involving a British national’. You can also contact FCDO online.

British nationals can travel to Lithuania from Belarus, Russia or Ukraine by car or bus. 

For more information, see Russia travel advice.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Lithuania guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Lithuania. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into Lithuania

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Taking money into Lithuania

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.  

Russian vehicle restrictions

There are restrictions on vehicles with Russian number plates in Lithuania.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.      

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Lithuania

Terrorist attacks in Lithuania cannot be ruled out.

Crime

Protecting your belongings

Petty crime is common. To reduce your risk:

• beware of pickpockets in busy locations and on public transport
• avoid unlit streets and parks at night
• be cautious if you’re walking alone
• do not leave coats and handbags unattended in bars, pubs and clubs

Drink and food spiking

There have been instances of drink spiking in Vilnius and at festivals and events elsewhere in Lithuania. Do not leave drinks unattended and be wary of accepting food and drink from strangers in bars, nightclubs and restaurants.   

Car theft

Car theft is a problem as well as theft from cars. Park in guarded car parks in cities, especially overnight. Do not leave your luggage in a car for any length of time.

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possessing even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment or heavy fines.

LGBT+ travellers

While there are some LGBT+ friendly venues in larger cities, small towns and rural areas can be less accepting of LGBT+ travellers.

Same-sex relationships are legal and same-sex partners can live together, but same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not recognised under Lithuanian law.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.       

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Lithuania, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Lithuania guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other requirements that you need to be aware of.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Lithuania. Make sure it has the correct name and address. Renew or update your licence if necessary.

If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience and a higher minimum age.   

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Lithuania, and the legal limits are stricter than in the UK. If you are tested and have over the legal limit for alcohol in your system, you may face a heavy fine and imprisonment.        

Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.

Taxis

It is safer to use a recognised taxi app or to phone for a registered taxi that uses a meter. Make sure the meter is switched on to avoid arguments about the fare.

Curonian Spit, Klaipeda

The Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is divided between Lithuania and Russia – the northern half is in Lithuania and the southern half is part of Kaliningrad, Russia. Visitors should be aware that the walk along the Curonian Spit in Lithuanian territory will eventually reach Russian territory. See Russia travel advice.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:  

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Lithuania
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Lithuania. 

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Lithuania

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Lithuania where some staff will speak English.

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Lithuania, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:  

• how to apply for a GHIC
• how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
• who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
• what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:  

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings
• additional standard costs for treatment
• medical repatriation to the UK
• treatment that is ruled non-urgent
• private healthcare
• private clinics

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Lithuania.  

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Lithuania

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Lithuania
• dealing with a death in Lithuania
• being arrested in Lithuania
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.

Help in the UK

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Follow and contact FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Lithuania on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.