Jobs in Lithuania – Work Permit, Visa, Salary & Hiring Guide

Lithuania is a European Union member state and Baltic nation situated on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, sharing borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland and the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia to the south and southwest. A full EU and Schengen Area member since 2004 and a eurozone member since 2015, Lithuania has transformed its economy over the past three decades from a Soviet-era industrial base into one of the most dynamic, digitally advanced, and fastest-growing economies in the European Union.

Lithuania is experiencing well-documented and accelerating labour shortages across IT, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and transport. The foreign workforce grew by 18.3% in the most recently reported period, totalling over 150,500 international workers — reflecting the Lithuanian labour market's structural reliance on international recruitment. The government approved 24,706 work quota slots for third-country nationals entering for employment purposes. Lithuania has also positioned itself as one of Europe's most significant fintech hubs, hosting operations for some of the world's most recognised financial technology companies.

According to Statistics Lithuania, the average monthly gross wage in the third quarter of the most recently reported period reached €2,427.6 — representing year-on-year growth of 8.5%. The capital region of Vilnius reported an even higher average of € 2,657.20 in gross per month. Lithuania's minimum wage is €1,038 per month — effective from 1 January of the most recent adjustment — with a further increase to €1,153 from 1 January of the subsequent year. The EU Blue Card requires a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,020.70 — 1.5 times the national average — or €2,416.56 for officially listed shortage occupations.

This guide covers everything you need to know about jobs in Lithuania — including 40 verified shortage occupations with salary data, and a complete, accurate guide to the Temporary Residence Permit, work permit, EU Blue Card, National Visa D, and MIGRIS application system based exclusively on official Lithuanian government sources. Whether you are a job seeker, an employer, or a recruitment agency, Moving2Europe.eu is here to connect you with verified opportunities across Lithuania and the wider European region.

Europe Job Market Overview

Europe is experiencing structural and sustained labour shortages driven by ageing populations, demographic decline, and economic growth that domestic workforces cannot support. Lithuania faces these pressures across multiple dimensions simultaneously — a shrinking native working-age population, substantial emigration of working-age Lithuanians to Western Europe, and rapid economic expansion in IT, fintech, and advanced manufacturing that requires more skilled workers than the domestic talent pool can supply.

The Lithuanian government manages third-country worker immigration through the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior at migracija.lt, with work permit decisions handled by the Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba). Applications are submitted through the Lithuanian Migration Information System — MIGRIS — at migracija.lt. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes visa information at urm.lt.

From January 2025, significant changes to Lithuania's migration legislation took effect. Highly Qualified Professionals earning at least 1.5 times the national average — or 1.2 times for shortage occupations — are now exempt from the annual quota. Employers must commit to a minimum six-month employment contract. Stricter sanctions apply for illegal employment. Workers may change employers only after working for the initial employer for at least six months. Applications can only be submitted through VFS Global in the worker's home country, with specific exceptions for Blue Card and other high-value categories.

For international job seekers, Lithuania offers a genuinely compelling combination — competitive salaries, very low cost of living compared to Western Europe, EU Schengen access, strong English proficiency, particularly in technology, and a growing international professional community in Vilnius. For employers, Lithuania's structured and increasingly digitalised permit system and the MIGRIS platform provide a practical and transparent process.

Jobs in Lithuania – Market Overview

Lithuania's economy is driven by a rapidly growing technology and fintech sector; advanced manufacturing, including lasers, optics, biotechnology, and electronics; a significant food and dairy processing industry; transport and logistics; construction; and healthcare. Lithuania ranks third in Europe for the highest share of people aged 25–34 with tertiary education — a foundation underpinning its technology sector's growth.

Key industries actively hiring international workers include:

Information Technology and Fintech: Lithuania's IT sector grew 68% in six years and generated average gross monthly earnings of €4,259 in the first half of the most recently reported period, rising to €4,700 in Vilnius. Lithuania hosts operations for some of the world's most recognised fintech companies, with the fintech sector averaging approximately €4,500 in gross monthly revenue. Google, Nasdaq, IBM, and other major international companies have established research and development centres in Lithuania. Software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and cloud engineers are in documented shortage and qualify for the EU Blue Card at the lower 1.2-times-average-salary threshold for shortage occupations.

Construction and Skilled Trades: The construction industry faces persistent shortages of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, bricklayers, and construction supervisors. Demand is concentrated in Vilnius and the surrounding capital region but extends across all major Lithuanian cities.

Healthcare and Social Care: Lithuania's ageing population and the emigration of healthcare professionals create a permanent shortage of nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and caregivers. Healthcare has a 2.5% vacancy rate in the most recent reporting period. Doctors and surgeons earn the highest average salaries of any profession in Lithuania, at €3,533 gross per month.

Manufacturing: Lithuania's manufacturing sector faces documented shortages of machine operators, assembly workers, metalworking specialists, food-processing workers, plastic-product operators, and precision-manufacturing technicians. Kaunas, Klaipėda, and their surrounding Free Economic Zones generate consistent demand.

Transport and Logistics: Truck drivers — particularly international freight drivers — are the single most commonly requested occupation in EURES and State Employment Agency vacancy data. Lithuania's position as a Central and Baltic logistics corridor drives consistent, structural demand for Category C/CE drivers and logistics operatives.

Education: Lithuania faces a shortage of teachers — particularly in mathematics, STEM subjects, the Lithuanian language, music, and foreign languages — that new graduates alone cannot resolve quickly enough.

Top Cities for Jobs in Lithuania

Jobs in Vilnius

Vilnius is Lithuania's capital and dominant economic hub, accounting for the largest share of the country's IT, fintech, financial services, and professional employment. The capital region pays an average gross monthly wage of €2,657.2 — approximately 10% above the national average — and is home to Lithuania's most significant concentration of technology companies, fintech operators, multinational shared service centres, financial institutions, and international businesses.

IT professionals in Vilnius earn €3,500–€6,000 or more gross per month at senior levels. Finance and fintech professionals earn €3,500–€5,000. The city has a large international community, high English proficiency in professional environments, a UNESCO-listed Old Town, and a genuinely affordable cost of living — one-bedroom apartments in the centre average €606 per month, compared to €2,000+ in Dublin or Amsterdam.

Jobs in Kaunas

Kaunas is Lithuania's second-largest city and a significant manufacturing, logistics, and technology hub. The city hosts a Free Economic Zone that attracts foreign investment in manufacturing, electronics, and logistics. Kaunas is increasingly recognised as an attractive alternative technology employment centre — with a growing startup ecosystem anchored by Kaunas University of Technology — and offers competitive salaries at a notably lower cost of living than Vilnius.

Jobs in Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Other Regions

Klaipėda is Lithuania's primary port city and an important industrial and logistics hub, generating consistent demand across maritime, logistics, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Šiauliai in northern Lithuania is an important industrial centre with demand for manufacturing and services. Regional Lithuanian cities offer lower average salaries than Vilnius but also significantly lower cost of living, and generate consistent demand in construction, food processing, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Job Opportunities in Lithuania

Blue-Collar Jobs in Demand in Lithuania

The following 20 blue-collar roles represent Lithuania's most critical shortage occupations in the skilled and trades sectors, based on verified data from Statistics Lithuania, EURES Lithuania, the Employment Service vacancy data, and the European Labour Authority's mismatch priority occupations.

Register as a Truck Driver → Browse Welder Opportunities →

White-Collar Jobs in Demand in Lithuania

The following 20 white-collar roles represent Lithuania's most critical shortage occupations in professional and highly skilled sectors, based on verified data from Statistics Lithuania, EURES Lithuania, the Employment Service, and CEDEFOP mismatch priority occupations.

Register as a Healthcare Worker → Explore All Opportunities →

Salary in Lithuania

Lithuania offers salaries below the Western European average but growing rapidly — average gross wages grew 8.5% year on year in the most recently reported quarter, according to Statistics Lithuania. The country's very low cost of living relative to its salary levels gives international workers strong real purchasing power — an IT professional earning €3,500 gross in Vilnius has significantly more disposable income than equivalent earners in Dublin, Amsterdam, or Berlin.

According to Statistics Lithuania, the average monthly gross wage in the third quarter of the most recently reported period was €2,427.6 — up 8.5% year on year. The capital region of Vilnius averaged 2,657.20 in2 gross monthly income. The IT sector averaged €4,259 gross per month in the first half of the most recently reported period and €4,700 in Vilnius. The fintech sector averages approximately €4,500 in gross monthly revenue.

The minimum wage is €1,038 per month — effective from the most recent 1 January adjustment — with a further increase to €1,153 confirmed for the subsequent January. The EU Blue Card requires a minimum gross monthly salary of €3,020.70 — 1.5 times the national average — or €2,416.56 for shortage occupations.

Work Permit Process in Lithuania

The Migration Department manages Lithuania's work authorisation system for non-EU nationals under the Ministry of the Interior at migracija.lt. The Employment Service handles work permits and labour market assessments — Užimtumo tarnyba — at uzt.lt. Applications are submitted through the Lithuanian Migration Information System — MIGRIS — at migracija.lt. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes visa information at urm.lt. Lithuania is a full member of the EU and the Schengen Area.

Types of Work Authorisation for Non-EU Workers

• Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (TRP): The primary combined work and residence permit for non-EU nationals in long-term salaried employment. The employer submits a mediation letter through MIGRIS. Valid for up to 2 years and tied to a specific employer. Workers may change employers only after working for the initial employer for at least six months. They must apply for an employer change through MIGRIS—standard processing: 90 days at €160, or expedited processing: 45 days at €320.
• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified professionals. Requires a recognised university degree or at least three years of relevant higher professional experience, and an employment contract of at least six months. Minimum gross monthly salary: €3,020.70 — 1.5 times the national average — or €2,416.56 for shortage occupations. Valid for up to three years. Workers may begin employment as soon as their applications are accepted in MIGRIS. Exempt from the annual quota.
• National Visa D: Issued only for seconded workers, seasonal employment, and ship crew members. For most employment, workers must apply for a TRP rather than a National Visa D.
• Work Permit: For specific categories of short-term or seasonal workers. The employer applies to the Employment Service. Fee: €121 for permits up to one year or €34 for seasonal permits up to six months.
• Seasonal Employment: For seasonal agricultural and tourism work for up to six months within a calendar year.

Annual Quota

Lithuania operates an annual quota for third-country nationals entering for employment. For the current period, 24,706 quota slots are available. Workers exempt from the quota include Highly Qualified Professionals earning at least 1.5 times the national average gross salary, EU Blue Card holders, workers meeting the shortage occupation salary threshold of 1.2 times the average gross salary, and other specified exempt categories.

Eligibility Requirements for Employment-Based TRP

To be eligible to work in Lithuania and apply for a TRP based on employment, a non-EU national must meet at least one of the following: hold proof of qualifications relevant to the role plus at least one year of relevant work experience in the last three years; or receive a monthly salary of at least the last published average monthly gross salary in the national economy — the BDU, currently €2,223.

Step-by-Step Work Permit and TRP Process

Step 1 – Secure a Confirmed Employment Contract. The process begins with a signed employment contract from a legally registered Lithuanian employer for a minimum of six months. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens may work freely in Lithuania without a permit.

Step 2 – Employer Submits the Mediation Letter Through MIGRIS.Is the employer submitting a mediation letter through the MIGRIS system at migracija.lt? The employer pays a €50 state fee for each mediation letter. The mediation letter confirms the employment and the worker's qualifications. Both the employer and the worker must have no outstanding tax debts to the Lithuanian state.

Step 3 – Worker Applies Through VFS Global or the Migration Department. ent The worker applies for the TRP through the VFS Global centre in their home country. Applications can only be submitted through VFS Global in the worker's country of residence, with exceptions for Blue Card, family reunification, studies, and certain other high-value categories. Biometric data — fingerprints and a photograph — must be provided at the time of submission.

Step 4 – Processing and Decision Standard processing takes approximately 90 days — fee €160. Expedited processing takes approximately 45 days — fee €320. An additional VFS Global customer service fee of €30 to €120 applies, depending on the country.

Step 5 – Collect the TRP Card Upon a positive decision, the worker may collect the TRP card at a Migration Department office in Lithuania or at the VFS Global office abroad. Collection abroad typically takes longer.

Step 6 – Travel to Lithuania and register the place of residence. Non-EU nationals may begin work only after receiving the TRP — not before.

Step 7 – Register for Tax Register with the State Tax Inspectorate — VMI — and confirm social insurance registration.

Employers ready to begin the international hiring process can register here →

Work Visa Process in Lithuania

Lithuania does not issue a separate long-term work visa for standard employment — the TRP and EU Blue Card serve as both the right to reside and the right to work. National Visa D is issued only for seconded workers, seasonal workers, and ship crew members. All visa information is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on urm.lt and by the Migration Department on migracija.lt.

Step 1 – Confirm Entry Requirements for Your Nationality Visit urm.lt to confirm whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa to enter Lithuania. Lithuania is a full member of the Schengen Area.

Step 2 – Apply for the TRP through VFS Global in Your Home Country. For most employment categories, apply for the Temporary Residence Permit through the VFS Global centre in your home country. This is the primary application — not a separate visa application.

Step 3 – Provide Biometric Data at VFS Global. Provide your photograph and fingerprints at the VFS Global centre when submitting your application.

Step 4 – Collect the TRP Card and Travel to Lithuania. Collect the physical TRP card from the Migration Department in Lithuania or from VFS Global abroad. Travel to Lithuania and register your residence. Begin employment only after receiving the permit card.

Embassy Guidance

Use the Official MIGRIS System for All Applications: All TRP and work authorisation applications are submitted through the Lithuanian Migration Information System — MIGRIS — at migracija.lt. This is the authoritative platform for all permit-related matters.

Applications Must Be Submitted Through VFS Global in the Home Country for Most Categories: Since the most recent legislative changes, most TRP and National Visa D applications must be submitted through a VFS Global centre in the worker's home country. Exceptions apply to the EU Blue Card, family reunification, studies, academic and research work, internal company transfers, and relocation to a major investor in Lithuania.

Employers Pay a €50 Fee for Each Mediation Letter: The employer must pay a €50 state fee for each mediation letter submitted through MIGRIS, including letters submitted for employer changes.

Non-EU Nationals Must Not Begin Work Before Receiving the TRP: Work may only begin after the TRP has been issued. Beginning work before receiving the permit is a legal violation for both the employer and the worker, carrying fines of €1,500–€5,000 per illegally working foreigner.

Workers May Only Change Employer After Six Months with the Initial Employer: Under the most recent migration reforms, a worker may apply to change employers only after working for the initial employer for at least six months. The application must be submitted before the current employment ends.

EU Blue Card Holders May Begin Work on Application Acceptance: Unlike the standard TRP, EU Blue Card holders in Lithuania may begin work as soon as the application is accepted into MIGRIS — they do not need to wait for the physical card.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for a Temporary Residence Permit for employment in Lithuania, per the official requirements of the Migration Department at migracija.lt.

Always verify the current document requirements on migracija.lt and at the VFS Global centre in your country before submitting.

How to Avoid Rejection

Employer Has Outstanding Tax Debts: Both the employer and the worker must have no outstanding tax debts to the Lithuanian state budget at the time of application. Employers with unpaid taxes cannot sponsor foreign workers.

Worker Begins Work Before TRP Is Issued: Work may only begin after the TRP card has been received. Beginning work early is a legal violation carrying fines of €1,500–€5,000 per worker for the employer.

Employment Contract Is for Less Than Six Months: The employment contract must be for at least six months. Contracts of shorter duration do not meet the eligibility conditions.

Qualifications or Experience Do Not Meet the Threshold: To apply for a TRP for employment, the worker must either hold relevant qualifications and at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 3 years, or the salary must be at least the BDU national average gross salary — currently €2,223 per month. Applications that do not meet either threshold will be refused.

Application Submitted from a Country Not on the VFS Global List: Applications can only be submitted through VFS Global in countries on the approved list. Confirm whether your home country has an active VFS Global centre for Lithuanian TRP applications before initiating the process.

Employer Has History of Non-Insurable Foreign Employee Periods: Permits will not be issued or renewed if the employer has had two or more foreign employees in non-insurable periods exceeding 90 days in the last 180 days, except in specified circumstances such as parental leave or illness.

Documents Not Apostilled or Not Translated Into Lithuanian: All foreign documents submitted for a TRP application must be apostilled and accompanied by certified Lithuanian translations.

Hiring Foreign Workers in Lithuania

Lithuania's labour market urgently needs international workers across IT, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and transport. With 24,706 annual quota positions, a specific Highly Qualified Professional pathway outside the quota, and one of Europe's fastest-growing fintech and technology sectors, employers who build structured international hiring pipelines gain a decisive and lasting competitive advantage.

Why Hire International Workers in Lithuania? The HQP pathway, outside the annual quota, provides fast, unrestricted access to highly qualified specialists. The EU Blue Card allows workers to begin employment upon acceptance of their application. Lithuania's very low cost of living makes it easier to attract and retain international talent at salaries that are genuinely competitive with Western European markets.

How to Begin the Hiring Process

Step 1 – Register as an Employer on Moving2Europe.eu Create your employer profile, specify your sector, required roles, and workforce needs. Register as an Employer →

Step 2 – Confirm the Correct Route — TRP, Blue Card, or HQP Confirm through migracija.lt and uzt.lt which route applies to the worker's qualifications and salary level.

Step 3 – Submit the Mediation Letter Through MIGRIS Submit the mediation letter and pay the €50 state fee through the MIGRIS system.

Step 4 – Issue a Signed Employment Contract. Issue a contract for a minimum of six months, confirming role, salary, and conditions.

Step 5 – Support the VFS Global Application and Permit Collection. Assist the worker with their VFS Global appointment booking and with permit collection after approval.

How Job Seekers Can Apply

Step 1 – Confirm Visa Requirements and VFS Global Availability in Your Country.y Visit migracija.lt to confirm entry requirements and whether your home country has an active VFS Global centre for Lithuanian TRP applications.

Step 2 – Confirm Eligibility Confirm you meet at least one of the qualifying conditions — relevant qualifications plus one year of experience, or a salary offer of at least the BDU national average.

Step 3 – Register on Moving2Europe.eu

• Register as a Truck Driver →
• Register as a Welder →
• Register as a Healthcare Worker →
• Explore All Opportunities →

Step 4 – Apply for Available Positions Browse verified job listings and apply to positions that match your qualifications and experience.

Step 5 – Your Employer Submits the Mediation Letter Through MIGRIS Once you have a confirmed employment contract, your employer submits the mediation letter through MIGRIS and pays the €50 state fee.

Step 6 – Apply for the TRthroughgh VFS Glob.al Book your VFS Global appointment in your home country and submit your complete application.

Step 7 – Collect the TRP Card and Travel to Lithuania. Register your residence and begin employment only after receiving the permit.

Recruitment Agencies & Partnerships

Moving2Europe.eu collaborates with international recruitment agencies, workforce supply companies, and staffing partners to build a consistent, reliable pipeline of pre-screened, work-ready candidates for employers across Lithuania and the wider European region.

For agencies operating in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or Eastern Europe, a partnership with Moving2Europe.eu provides direct access to a growing network of verified Lithuanian employers actively seeking international talent across IT, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and transport.

Why Partner with Moving2Europe.eu?

• Access to a verified network of Lithuanian employers actively hiring across all major shortage sectors
• A structured, transparent matching process aligned with Lithuania's MIGRIS and VFS Global permit requirements
• Compliance support across the TRP, EU Blue Card, and Highly Qualified Professional routes
• Long-term business development opportunities as Lithuania's international workforce continues to grow.
• A trusted, professional platform built on transparency and accountability

Register as a Recruitment Partner →

Declaration

Moving2Europe.eu provides information on jobs, work permits, visas, and international hiring strictly for guidance purposes. We do not guarantee job placement, work permit approval, or visa issuance under any circumstances.

All applications, hiring decisions, and approvals are subject to individual employer requirements, applicable immigration laws, and the final decision of the respective country's embassy or government authorities.

Users are strongly advised to independently verify all information, ensure the accuracy of their documents, and follow official procedures before submitting any application.