Can I use my home number in Lithuania?

Yes, but only short-term. If your SIM is from another EU/EEA country, EU roaming rules let you use it in Lithuania at home rates for a while, subject to fair-use limits. For a longer stay it's cheaper and simpler to get a local prepaid SIM.

Do I need a residence permit to get a SIM?

No. A prepaid SIM only needs proof of identity — a passport or national ID works. You do not need a residence permit, a local address, or a Lithuanian bank account.

Will my home phone work on the Lithuanian network?

Almost certainly. Lithuania uses standard GSM/4G/5G bands and any modern unlocked phone works. If your phone is locked to a home carrier, ask them to unlock it before you travel.

What's the difference between prepaid and a contract?

Prepaid (pildoma) you top up as you go, with no commitment and no credit check — ideal when you arrive. A monthly contract (abonementas) is usually cheaper per gigabyte but needs a residence permit, sometimes a bank account, and a longer commitment.

Can I keep my number if I switch operator later?

Yes. Lithuania allows number portability, so you can move your number between Pildyk, Ežys, Labas and contract plans without losing it.

Getting a Lithuanian phone number

For most international students the quickest way to get a Lithuanian phone number is a prepaid SIM card from one of the three operators — Tele2, Telia or Bitė. You buy it over the counter for a couple of euros, show your passport or ID to register it, and you're connected the same day.

The three operators

Lithuania has three mobile networks, each with a budget prepaid brand. Coverage is strong across all three in cities; differences come down to price and packages.

Operator	Prepaid brand	Good to know
Tele2	Pildyk	Often the cheapest SIM and packages; very widely sold
Telia	Ežys	Strong network, slightly pricier bundles
Bitė	Labas	Popular bundles; no eSIM on the Labas brand

All three offer easy app-based top-ups and self-service accounts (for example, Pildyk's app and mano.pildyk.lt).

Where to buy a SIM

You can pick up a prepaid SIM almost anywhere:

Operator shops (Tele2, Telia, Bitė) in city centres and shopping malls
Supermarkets — Maxima, Rimi, Iki
Kiosks and convenience stores — Narvesen, Lietuvos spauda, Circle K
Petrol stations and airport arrivals (Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga)

A starter SIM typically costs €1–€6, sometimes including a small starting balance. Airport prices can be a touch higher.

Buy in an operator shop on arrival

Staff there can register the SIM for you on the spot, set up your first package and check your phone is compatible — easier than a self-service supermarket SIM if it's your first one.

Registration: you now need ID

Since January 2025, new prepaid SIMs in Lithuania must be registered to a real identity — the era of anonymous pay-as-you-go SIMs has ended (as of 2026 — see LRT's summary). This is simple but you can't skip it.

You can register:

In store — show your passport or national ID and the assistant registers it for you. This is the easiest route for new arrivals.
Online — confirm your identity through internet banking, the Smart-ID or Mobile-ID app, or by uploading a photo of your ID plus a selfie.

A passport is accepted, so you can register before your residence permit arrives.

An unregistered SIM stops working

If you buy a SIM and don't complete registration, the operator will block the number. Register it as soon as you buy it — and keep the SIM tied to your own ID rather than borrowing someone else's.

eSIM: skip the plastic

If your phone supports eSIM, Tele2, Telia and Bitė all offer one (the Labas brand does not). You scan a QR code or activate in-app instead of inserting a card — handy if you want a number before you land. You still complete the same identity registration, and eSIMs sometimes cost a little more than physical SIMs.

Choosing a package

Prepaid bundles are cheap by European standards. You'll usually pick a weekly or monthly package with data, calls and texts:

Light users: a small monthly bundle is plenty for messaging and maps.
Heavy data users: unlimited-data weekly or monthly packages exist (often around €6–€17/month depending on operator and allowance).

Check the operator's current packages before committing — they change often. Most bundles include EU roaming under fair-use limits, so your Lithuanian number works when you travel within the EU/EEA.

EU vs non-EU vs Erasmus — does it differ?

For getting a prepaid SIM, the path is the same for everyone: passport or ID, register, done. The differences appear later:

EU/EEA students can keep using a home-country SIM in Lithuania at home rates under EU roaming for a while — fine for a short exchange, but a local SIM is cheaper long-term.
Non-EU students should get a local SIM early; international roaming on a home (non-EU) plan is expensive.
Contracts (cheaper per GB) generally require a residence permit and sometimes a Lithuanian bank account, so they suit longer-stay degree students once they're settled.

Tip for your first weeks

Start with prepaid so you're reachable immediately, then switch to a contract later if you stay — you can keep the same number thanks to number portability.