Your first 30 days in Lithuania: what to do, in order
In short
Sort your residence status first — collect your TRP card (non-EU) or register for an EU certificate — because your bank account, personal code and most other admin depend on it. Then declare your address, open a bank account, get a SIM, set up transport, and confirm your health cover, in that order.
Arriving as a student is mostly admin. The trick is doing it in the right order: a few tasks unlock the rest, so getting them out of the way first saves weeks of frustration.
This is the practical sequence for your first month. Your exact path differs depending on whether you're non-EU (degree-seeking, needing a temporary residence permit), EU/EFTA (lighter registration), or here on a short Erasmus/exchange stay — we flag the differences as we go.
The order that works
- Sort your residence status (TRP card or EU registration).
- Declare your place of residence (your address).
- Open a bank account.
- Get a local SIM card.
- Set up transport (student card + city travel card).
- Confirm your health cover.
- Register with your university's international office and pick up your student card.
Each step below explains why it sits where it does.
Step 1 — Residence status (do this first)
Everything downstream — a bank account, a phone contract, your personal code — leans on your residence document.
- Non-EU degree students: you apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) via the MIGRIS online system, then attend a booked appointment at the Migration Department to give biometrics and submit originals. After approval you collect the TRP card. You're expected to start the process quickly after signing your study contract (universities commonly cite within 14 days — confirm your own deadline with your international office).
- EU/EFTA students staying over 90 days: you register with the Migration Department and obtain a certificate of the right of residence, generally within three months of arrival.
- Erasmus/exchange under 90 days: you usually don't need a permit at all, but check whether your nationality needs a visa, and still register with your host university.
Book the appointment before you fly
Your personal code (asmens kodas) is assigned when you gain the right to reside for more than six months, and it's printed on your residence card. You'll need it constantly, so keep it handy.
Step 2 — Declare your place of residence
Separate from the permit itself, you must declare your address (gyvenamoji vieta). You can do this:
- at your biometrics appointment, or
- within one month of collecting your residence card, at the local eldership (seniūnija) or online via the e-government portal.
Bring the address declaration form plus your passport and residence card. If you don't own the property (a flat, a friend's place), you'll also need the owner's consent; a dormitory or rental contract usually covers this.
Step 3 — Open a bank account
A Lithuanian account makes rent, tuition and daily life far easier. At a traditional bank, expect to visit a branch in person with:
- your passport,
- your residence document, and
- proof of why you need the account (study certificate or contract).
No opening deposit is normally required. Because banks want your residence card and personal code, this is hard to do on day one — hence its place after Step 1.
Bridge option
Step 4 — Get a SIM card
Quick and cheap. The main operators are Telia, Bite and Tele2/Pildyk, sold in malls, kiosks and supermarkets. Prepaid SIMs cost only a few euros. Note that prepaid SIMs must be registered — bring your passport (in store or online).
Step 5 — Transport
| What | What it does | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Student card (LSP / ISIC) | Proves student status; unlocks discounts | Your university / isic.lt |
| City travel card | Pays for buses/trolleybuses/trams | JUDU (Vilnius); Kaunas transport |
Students get a 50% discount on public transport with a valid student card. In Vilnius and Kaunas, the city travel function can be integrated into your student/ISIC card, so you tap one card for everything. In Vilnius the system is JUDU.
Step 6 — Health cover
Don't leave a gap here.
- Non-EU students are not covered by the state system (PSD) by default and normally need private health insurance — also required for your TRP.
- EU/EFTA students should carry a valid EHIC, which lets you see a GP contracted with the Territorial Health Insurance Fund.
- You typically only join state insurance (PSD) once you're legally employed (your employer pays contributions) or hold a permanent permit.
Confirm cover before you rely on it
Step 7 — University international office
Last on the list but worth an early visit: they issue your student card, often help with declarations and bank introductions, and answer the questions this guide can't predict. Treat them as your home base for the whole process.
Keep copies of everything
Frequently asked
What's the single most important thing to do first?+
Sort your residence status — collecting your TRP card (non-EU) or registering with the Migration Department (EU). Almost everything else, including a bank account, depends on having it.
Do I need a Lithuanian personal code (asmens kodas)?+
Yes for most things. You're assigned one when you get the right to reside for more than six months, and it appears on your residence card. Banks, the health system and tax all use it.
Can I open a bank account before I get my residence card?+
Usually not at a traditional bank — they ask for your residence document and personal code. You can often use an EU fintech (e.g. an account with a Lithuanian IBAN) in the meantime, but check the provider.
Is Lithuanian public healthcare free for me?+
Only if you're covered by state insurance (PSD) — typically through legal employment or a permanent permit. Most degree students rely on private insurance instead. EU students should carry an EHIC.
How long do I have to declare my address?+
You declare your place of residence either when you submit biometrics, or within one month of collecting your residence card, at the local eldership (seniūnija) or online.