Reference
Glossary
The Lithuanian words and abbreviations you'll meet on forms, at the doctor and around town — in plain English. Search it, or filter by topic.
Immigration & documents
- TRPLeidimas laikinai gyventi (LLG)
- Temporary residence permit — the card non-EU students live in Lithuania on, usually issued for one year and renewed. Read more →
- National (D) visaNacionalinė viza
- A long-stay visa for stays over 90 days, often used to enter before switching to a TRP. Read more →
- MIGRIS
- The Migration Department's online system where you book appointments and apply for visas and residence permits. Read more →
- Migration DepartmentMigracijos departamentas
- The government body that issues visas, residence permits and personal codes (migracija.lrv.lt).
- Personal codeAsmens kodas
- Your unique 11-digit national identification number — needed for almost everything: banking, doctors, contracts. Read more →
- Declare your residenceDeklaruoti gyvenamąją vietą
- Registering your home address with the authorities after you move in — a required step, done at the municipality or online. Read more →
- ApostilleApostilė
- An international certification that legalises a document (e.g. your diploma) for use abroad. Not all countries use it — some need full consular legalisation. Read more →
- Permanent residenceLeidimas nuolat gyventi
- A long-term permit available after several years of legal residence; requires an A2 Lithuanian language exam and a basics-of-the-Constitution exam.
- State feeValstybės rinkliava
- An official government fee (e.g. for issuing a TRP) paid to the state — separate from any private agent's service fee.
- Migration Information CentreRenkuosi Lietuvą
- A free, official advisory service for newcomers (renkuosilietuva.lt, micenter.lt) — use it instead of paying private agents.
Money & tax
- MMAMinimali mėnesinė alga
- The minimum monthly wage — €1,153 gross in 2026. Many official thresholds (like proof of funds) are pegged to it and reset each January.
- GPMGyventojų pajamų mokestis
- Personal income tax, 20% on most employment income, deducted from your pay. Read more →
- Sodra
- The State Social Insurance Fund — collects social-insurance and health contributions from your salary. Read more →
- VMIValstybinė mokesčių inspekcija
- The State Tax Inspectorate — Lithuania's tax authority (vmi.lt).
- NPDNeapmokestinamasis pajamų dydis
- The tax-free income amount that reduces GPM on lower salaries, so low earners keep proportionally more.
- PSDPrivalomasis sveikatos draudimas
- Compulsory health insurance. Paid via Sodra when you work on a contract; otherwise non-EU students need private cover. Read more →
- Individuali veikla
- Registered individual (self-employed) activity — the route for student freelancing and side income. Read more →
- IBAN
- Your bank account number in international format (Lithuanian IBANs start with LT). Needed for salary, rent and refunds. Read more →
- Pažyma
- An official certificate or statement (of income, enrolment, residence, etc.) — you'll be asked for various pažymos.
Health
- Family doctorŠeimos gydytojas
- Your registered GP and first point of contact for non-emergency care. Read more →
- PolyclinicPoliklinika
- A local health centre where family doctors and many specialists are based.
- PharmacyVaistinė
- Where you buy medicine; pharmacists can advise on minor issues and over-the-counter remedies. Read more →
- 112
- The single emergency number for ambulance, police and fire — free, works from any phone, English available. Read more →
- AmbulanceGreitoji pagalba
- Emergency medical service, reached via 112.
- EHIC
- European Health Insurance Card — lets EU/EEA students access state healthcare in Lithuania on the same terms as locals. Read more →
- PrescriptionReceptas
- Issued (usually electronically) by a doctor and collected at any pharmacy with your ID/personal code.
Study
- LSPLietuvos studento pažymėjimas
- The Lithuanian student card — proof of student status and the key to transport and other discounts. Read more →
- ISIC
- The international student card, recognised worldwide; in Lithuania it also unlocks the transport discount. Read more →
- ECTS
- European Credit Transfer System — the credit points your courses are worth; a full year is normally 60 ECTS.
- OLAOnline Learning Agreement
- The Erasmus document that lists the courses you'll take abroad and how they map back home. Read more →
- MOIMedium of Instruction
- A letter confirming your previous studies were taught in English — often accepted instead of IELTS/TOEFL. Read more →
- Scholarship / stipendStipendija
- Financial support from the state, an institution or a programme — can also count towards proof of funds. Read more →
- Bachelor / MasterBakalauras / Magistras
- The first- and second-cycle university degrees.
- Dean's officeDekanatas
- Your faculty's administrative office — for enrolment certificates, course issues and signatures.
Everyday & places
- MunicipalitySavivaldybė
- Your city/district government — handles residence declarations and many local services.
- Eldership / wardSeniūnija
- The smallest local administrative unit; sometimes where you handle address paperwork.
- NotaryNotaras
- A licensed official who certifies documents — needed for things like a sponsor's affidavit of support.
- JUDU
- Vilnius's public-transport brand and app — tickets, routes and the student travel pass. Read more →
- Bolt
- The Estonian ride-hailing, scooter and food-delivery app, widely used across Lithuania. Read more →
- SupermarketsMaxima · IKI · Rimi · Lidl
- The big grocery chains. Loyalty apps (e.g. Maxima's) cut prices noticeably. Read more →
- Parcel lockerPaštomatas
- Self-service lockers (Omniva, LP Express, DPD) where most online orders are delivered and collected.
- Old TownSenamiestis
- The historic centre — Vilnius's is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a hub of student life.
- MarketTurgus
- Open-air/covered markets (e.g. Kalvarijų, Halės) for cheap fresh produce.
Lithuanian phrases
- Hello (informal)Labas
- Casual hello. Use “Sveiki” for the polite/plural form. Read more →
- Hello (formal)Sveiki
- Polite or plural greeting — safe with strangers, staff and officials.
- Thank youAčiū
- Thank you. “Labai ačiū” means thank you very much.
- Please / you're welcomePrašom
- Doubles as “please” and “you're welcome / here you go”.
- Yes / NoTaip / Ne
- The basics — taip (yes), ne (no).
- Sorry / excuse meAtsiprašau
- Use to apologise or to get someone's attention.
- GoodbyeViso gero
- A polite goodbye; “Iki” is the casual “see you”.
- How much is it?Kiek kainuoja?
- Handy at markets and shops.
- Do you speak English?Ar kalbate angliškai?
- Most young people do, especially in cities.