How much deposit is normal in Lithuania?

In practice landlords ask for one to three months' rent, though the Civil Code limits the legal deposit to one month. Agree the exact amount and return conditions in writing before you pay.

Can I sign a contract in English?

Sign it in Lithuanian and a language you understand — usually a bilingual version side by side. The Lithuanian text is what counts legally, so make sure both versions match.

Do I need a written contract to declare my address?

Yes. A signed rental agreement (or the owner's notarised consent) is what lets you declare your place of residence, which you need for many services and your residence permit.

How much notice do I have to give to leave?

A tenant can usually end the lease with one month's written notice, even on a fixed-term contract. Confirm the exact clause in your agreement and keep proof you gave notice.

What if the flat is sold while I'm renting?

If your contract is registered in the Real Estate Register, a new owner cannot easily evict you. An unregistered contract gives you less protection.

Rental contracts in Lithuania: what to check

Before you pay anything, get the rental contract in writing and read it line by line. A clear contract protects your deposit, lets you declare your address, and is your best evidence if something goes wrong.

The golden rule: contract first, money second

Never transfer a deposit or "reservation" before you have seen the actual flat and signed a written agreement. Pay only after signing — this is the single most common way newcomers lose money in Lithuania.

This is the same whether you are an EU degree-seeker, a non-EU student or here on Erasmus. The competition is fierce in August and September when new students arrive, so rents rise and scammers appear. Take the time to check the contract anyway.

Your contract checklist

Run through every item below before signing:

Who is the landlord — name and personal/company code matching the person you met. Ask to see proof they own the flat (a Real Estate Register extract).
The property — full address, number of rooms, and whether you have rights to shared spaces (cellar, parking, balcony).
Rent — the exact monthly figure, the payment date, and the account it goes to.
What's included — is rent inclusive of utilities, or are heating, water, electricity, internet and building fees on top? Get this in writing.
Deposit — the amount, what it covers, and the exact conditions for getting it back.
Term — fixed-term (ends on a set date) or indefinite.
Notice period — how either side ends the lease early.
Inventory and condition — a signed list of furniture and appliances, ideally with dated photos of any existing damage.
Permission to declare residence — explicit written consent that you may register this address.

Sign the contract in Lithuanian and a language you understand, side by side. Check that both versions say the same thing — the Lithuanian text is the one that holds up legally.

Deposit: what's normal vs what the law says

In practice, landlords ask for one to three months' rent as a deposit (micenter.lt). However, the Lithuanian Civil Code limits the deposit on residential leases to one month's rent and says the landlord cannot demand rent in advance beyond the first month; clauses asking for more can be treated as void (LithuaniaLaw.com).

So the market and the law do not fully line up. You can try to negotiate down to one month, but many landlords still expect more. Whatever you agree, make sure the contract states the amount, that it is a returnable deposit (not extra rent), and the conditions for its return.

Item	Common market practice	Civil Code position
Deposit	1–3 months' rent	Limited to 1 month
Rent paid in advance	Sometimes requested	First month only
Returned at end	If no damage/arrears	If no damage/arrears

Term, notice and being sold out

Two clauses decide how easily you can leave — and how protected you are:

Notice to leave — a tenant can generally end the lease with one month's written notice, even on a fixed term. Keep dated proof you sent it.
Notice from the landlord — the landlord faces much stricter rules and on an indefinite lease must usually give long notice; early termination is only allowed for specific reasons such as unpaid rent or damage (LithuaniaLaw.com).

Register the contract if you can

If your contract is registered in the Real Estate Register, a new owner cannot easily evict you if the flat is sold. Registration costs a small fee, usually paid by the tenant. For a longer stay it is worth asking about.

You can't be thrown out overnight

A landlord cannot legally change the locks or cut off utilities to force you out. Eviction needs a court decision and a bailiff. If you are threatened with this, it is not lawful.

Declaring your address

A signed rental contract does double duty: it lets you declare your place of residence. You declare residence at an address where each adult has at least 7 m² of living space, and you need the owner's consent — given through a signed rental agreement, a notarised consent, or a joint visit to the Migration Department or eldership (micenter.lt).

Sort out this consent in the contract itself, so you are not chasing the landlord later. If you live in a dormitory, you declare through the dormitory administration instead.

After you move in

Take dated photos of the whole flat on day one and share them with the landlord.
Keep every rent receipt and bank transfer.
Note meter readings for utilities at the start.
Save the signed contract somewhere you can find it — you may need it for your residence permit, a bank, or declaring your address.