Moving to Lithuania: a pre-arrival checklist for students
In short
Moving to Lithuania as a student means doing a few things in the right order: confirm your visa or residence route early and check it with your university and the Migration Department, arrange accommodation and health insurance before you fly, pack your documents, then on arrival register, sort your residence status and declare your address.
Moving to Lithuania is mostly about getting a handful of things done in the right order. This moving to Lithuania checklist for students walks you through what to pack, what to arrange before you fly, and what to do in your first weeks — with notes on where the path differs for EU, non-EU and Erasmus students.
Before you book your flight
Your route depends on your nationality, so confirm this first:
- EU/EEA/Swiss students can enter and stay up to 90 days with just a valid ID or passport. No visa needed.
- Non-EU degree-seekers must usually arrange immigration paperwork before travelling — most now apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) via VFS Global abroad, or arrive on a National (D) visa and apply on arrival. Check your university's instructions and the Migration Department.
- Erasmus/exchange students from outside the EU staying over 90 days typically need a National (D) visa.
Start the visa or permit process early
Immigration timelines and document lists change and vary by country. Confirm the current requirements with your university's international office and the Migration Department before you book anything. Treat any figures below as a guide to verify, not the final word.
Sort these before you fly
Accommodation
Have somewhere to live arranged before you travel. University dormitories in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and elsewhere are cheap but fill up quickly, so apply as soon as you are admitted. For private rentals, Aruodas.lt and Domoplius.lt are the main listing sites. You will normally need proof of accommodation (a dorm confirmation or rental agreement) for your visa or residence permit application.
Health insurance
Health cover is required for your whole stay.
- EU/EEA students: bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from home.
- Non-EU students: you will need a private health insurance policy. For TRP holders the minimum cover is generally at least EUR 10,000, while visa applicants often need around EUR 30,000 (as of 2026 — confirm with your university and the Migration Department, as amounts change).
Money and proof of funds
Non-EU applicants usually have to show they can support themselves for the year. You will also want enough accessible money for your first month before a local account and any scholarship are set up.
€576.50 is the monthly subsistence figure often used in these calculations; see ≈ €8,071 for the typical 12-month total. Check the exact current requirement on your university's page.
What to pack
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Passport (valid 6+ months beyond your stay) | Required for entry, registration and opening a bank account |
| Original education certificates and diplomas | Universities ask for originals at registration |
| Visa / residence permit paperwork | Needed to enter and to register on arrival |
| Health insurance policy | Required for your permit and for treatment |
| Proof of accommodation | Often needed for your permit and address declaration |
| Several printed passport photos | Used for student and residence cards |
Back everything up
Photograph or scan every important document and keep copies in the cloud and on your phone. It saves a lot of stress if anything is lost in transit.
Your first two weeks in Lithuania
- Register at your university and attend orientation. Bring your original documents. The autumn semester usually starts on 1 September, often after orientation days.
- Sort your residence status.
- EU students staying over 90 days: register with the Migration Department for a certificate of temporary residence.
- Non-EU students: collect your TRP if you applied on arrival.
- Declare your address at the local seniūnija (eldership) — usually within about one month of getting your residence document.
- Get a SIM card. The main providers are Telia, Bitė and Tele2; prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport, operator shops and supermarkets.
- Open a bank account. Banks such as SEB, Swedbank, Luminor, Citadele and Revolut are widely used. You will typically need your passport (or EU ID) and, often, your residence permit. Requirements vary, so check with the bank.
Getting around
Public transport is good and cheap, and students get a discount with a valid student card such as ISIC or LSIC. In Vilnius the JUDU card handles public transport and can be combined with your student card; the Trafi and m.Ticket apps let you plan journeys and buy tickets.
Discounts need the right card
The exact student discount and the cards that qualify vary by city and over time. Buy a monthly ticket with your ISIC/LSIC card once you arrive, and confirm the current rate with JUDU (Vilnius) or your local transport operator.
A simple order of operations
- Confirm your visa/permit route and start it early.
- Lock in accommodation and health insurance.
- Pack your documents (and back them up).
- On arrival: register at university, sort residence status, declare your address.
- Settle in: SIM, bank account, transport card.
Tick these off and the rest of settling in — making friends, finding your favourite café, learning a few words of Lithuanian — is the fun part.
Frequently asked
What documents must I bring with me?+
Your passport, your original education certificates and diplomas, your visa or residence permit paperwork, your health insurance policy, proof of accommodation and a few printed passport photos. Keep digital copies in the cloud too.
Do EU students need to do anything after arriving?+
Yes. If you are staying longer than 90 days you must register with the Migration Department and obtain a certificate of temporary residence, then declare your address at the local seniūnija (eldership).
Should I sort accommodation before I fly?+
Almost always yes. University dormitories fill up fast, and you usually need proof of accommodation for your visa or residence permit, so arrange a room or rental before you travel.
When does the academic year start?+
The autumn semester typically begins on 1 September, often with orientation days beforehand. Check your own university's calendar, as Erasmus and exchange dates can differ.
Can I open a bank account as a new arrival?+
Yes. Most Lithuanian banks let you open an account with your passport (or EU ID) and, once you have it, your residence permit. Requirements vary by bank, so confirm in advance.