# A Short Guide for a New Employee in Lithuania by Matas Šileikis Updated on 21/11/2025 Updated by [u]matas.niewulis[/u] on 02/07/2026 This guide is intended for international visitors who spend more than 3 months at the institute. Based on the experience of an EU citizen who moved to work at Vilnius University while remaining employed at their home university. I recommend consulting the [International House Vilnius website](https://ihvilnius.lt/homepage) well before you move for a similar and more extensive guide regarding relocation. ## Obtaining a Lithuanian Identity (Residence Permit) This is the most urgent task, as it allows you to gain easier access to other services (electronic identities, opening bank accounts). This is achieved by submitting a request for a Temporary Residence Certificate. In preparation, scan the following documents: - Personal ID (e.g., passport or EEA national ID card) - Work agreement (PDF format) **Tip**: Try to obtain your social security (SODRA) number in advance; your department secretary might be able to help you with this. Steps: - As soon as you obtain your work agreement, log in to the [MIGRIS system](https://www.migracija.lt/en/app/auth/login). - Upload scans of your personal ID and your work agreement. - Book the earliest available appointment for the submission of documents (note: the nearest slot might be a few days or weeks away). - Registering your place of residence: It might save time if you register your place of living during this same visit. To do this, you must know the precise address (City/Town, street, house number, flat number) and the Personal Code (Asmens Kodas) of the property owner. - If you have a rental agreement, bring it to the appointment. This allows you to register your residence address immediately. **Important**: Notify your landlord beforehand, as they may need to approve your registration digitally. **Important**: If you choose not to register Your place or residence through Migracijos departamentas, You **must** register your place of residence up to *30 days* from receiving your residence permit - otherwise it will be revoked and You may get a fine. You can register by emailing your city municipality, or by visiting the town hall/city municipality. Once notified that your certificate has been issued, you will need to book a second appointment to collect your plastic Temporary Residence Card. ## Electronic Identity Having an electronic identity is a major time-saver, allowing you to access state services remotely and sign agreements electronically. There are a few main providers: *LT ID*: Issued by the Centre of Registers (Registrų centras). - **Mobile ID**: Available if you have a Lithuanian mobile phone subscription. - **Smart ID**: Available when you open accounts at certain banks. Once you receive your physical Lithuanian ID card (Teisės gyventi Lietuvos Respublikoje pažymėjimas), you can visit Registrų centras. You can book an appointment for an "Electronic Signature" on [Registrų Centras website](https://www.registrucentras.lt/en), or (at least in Vilnius) simply queue at their branch. Ask for the issue of an LT ID. **Tip*: Install the LT ID app on your smartphone in advance to speed up the setup process. ## Place of Residence Declaration Declaring your place of residence is not only mandatory (see FAQ) but also provides benefits. As of November 2025, declared residence in the Vilnius municipality provides support for private kindergarten fees and enables attendance at state kindergartens in Vilnius. A Note on Residence Registration Timing: I recommend waiting until your employment contract has begun before declaring your place of residence. Registering early can trigger an automatic notification from SoDra requesting health insurance coverage for the interim period. Should you receive an unexpected demand for payment, do not panic. Simply send SoDra a request for recalculation, attaching proof of your prior insurance coverage (such as your previous job contract) to resolve the issue. ## Working Simultaneously in Two EU Countries As of 2025, the EU requires that social security contributions be paid in only one EU country. If you decide that this country will be Lithuania, you must obtain the A1 form (see EU Social Security Forms) from the Lithuanian social security agency (SODRA) and provide it to your employers in other countries. Once you have your temporary residence: - Submit a request for the A1 form by logging in with your E-ID; OR - Book an appointment at SODRA (instructions are available [here](https://www.sodra.lt/?lang=en)). If visiting in person: Bring your ID and both your Lithuanian and foreign work agreements. If your agreements are digital, be ready to email them or show them on a device. The form is lengthy. Try to find it on the SODRA website beforehand to gather the necessary information to speed up your meeting. Important: Make sure your declared place of residence is valid by the time of submission, otherwise the A1 form might be rejected on the grounds that you are not a resident of Lithuania. If you log into your SODRA account using your electronic identity via the [Sodra website](https://gyventojai.sodra.lt/sodra-login), you should see your employer listed. Should this not be the case, contact your department administrator immediately. ## Bank Account Your work agreement should indicate the dates of your salary payment. Ideally, you should obtain a bank account before the first payment and provide the account number to your employer. Note that an electronic bank or a foreign bank Euro account usually works equally well for receiving your salary. Some traditional banks require a Lithuanian identity document (making the residence permit an urgent task). Swedbank is one of the few banks that allows foreigners to open up accounts without a Lithuanian ID, given that you have provided a valid document confirming Your student status. Most banks require you to book a visit on their website. Check the list of required documents carefully; going to a branch with just your ID may lead to disappointment. Bonus: Opening a bank account often gives you Smart ID, which serves as an electronic identity. Fees: It is standard for Lithuanian banks to charge a monthly fee (as of 2025, this may be around €1). Deposit a small amount into your account to avoid a negative balance. ## Health Insurance (PSD) With your electronic identity, you can log into your account on the healthcare information system [eSveikata](https://www.esveikata.lt). Once you obtain your Personal Code (Asmens Kodas), you can verify your insurance status [here](https://dpsdr.vlk.lt/). If this shows you are not insured, inform your employer immediately by providing your Personal Code. ## Leaving the Country Lithuania has a concept of "Official Departure" from the country. To do this, connect to Registrų centras and seek the service "Declaration of place of residence." Select the option: If you plan to travel abroad / Declaring departure. Why this is important: If your employment ends and you do not officially leave or register as a job seeker, SODRA will deem you liable to self-insure your health. You will owe health insurance payments (PSD) for every month you are unemployed. They can (legally) deduct these payments automatically from your Lithuanian bank account. Should you accumulate this debt, you may later have to appeal to SODRA and provide evidence that you were insured in another country during that time to cancel the debt.