How to move to Lithuania: experiences, tips, and advice on renting housing in Vilnius

How to properly organize a move to Lithuania

How to properly organize a move to Lithuania and what conditions are necessary for this? What are the rental and purchase prices for housing in the capital, Vilnius? How much money is needed for a comfortable living in this city? These important questions concern many who wish to change their place of residence and start a new life in Lithuania.

In the article presented, we will share answers to them based on personal experience. People move to this country for a variety of reasons:

• Someone is going to work.
• Others strive to learn,
• And some are thinking about starting their own business.

Every destiny is unique and full of interesting stories. We will tell you one of those stories.

The story of Valeria

Valeria, originally from Minsk, shared her experience of moving to Lithuania with us, as well as the challenges she faced, her search for housing, and the current rental prices in Vilnius. Additionally, she will talk about the locals and their characteristics.

“Since childhood, I have had a desire to visit at least every country in the world,” shares Valeria, who is 27 years old. She was born and raised in Minsk, where she obtained a degree in translation, graduating from the Faculty of International Relations at MSLU in 2017. Since then, she has gained experience in various fields: she has worked in sales, at a law firm, organized events, then returned to sales, and also worked on YouTube and in the IT sector.

At the moment, Valeria is immersed in the exciting world of digital marketing, working as a copywriter, promoting content on social media, creating materials for restaurants and brands, and also running her own food and travel blog on Instagram and TikTok.

Dreams and the realization of moving

Since her youth, Valeria has been actively traveling and dreamed of working in every country, but Europe has always held a special significance for her. A couple of years ago, she came up with the idea of moving to Lithuania, seeing it as a convenient bridge between the European Union and Belarus. Low-cost airlines, accessible transportation, and proximity to her parents played a crucial role in her plans. And so, as the old saying goes,dreams come trueThey moved on June 6, 2022, which became possible due to the decision of the company where her partner works to relocate employees to Lithuania.

One of the company's offices has been located in this country for a long time, which has significantly facilitated the possibility of employment, especially compared to Poland or Georgia, where individual business registration would be required.

Reasons for choosing Lithuania

However, this was not the only factor that influenced the choice of Lithuania as a new place of residence. An important reason was the geographical proximity of Lithuania to Belarus - only 180 kilometers. This distance is much easier to overcome than to Tbilisi or Warsaw, where it takes more than a day to get there.

Moreover, the situation in the labor market in Lithuania played a significant role in the choice. In Vilnius, there is a shortage of office spaces to meet the needs of large companies, which highlights the relevance of this city for employment activities.

Tips for moving and adapting

If you are planning to relocate your business to Lithuania, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with expert advice and follow it step by step. This will help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of all the opportunities that this wonderful corner of Europe has to offer.

The capital of Lithuania is rapidly becoming attractive to specialists from various fields. As they say, it's better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred times.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you are also aiming to move to Lithuania, don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in its rich culture, get to know the locals, and understand their unique way of life. This step could be one of the best decisions of your entire life!

In our case it turned out that Georgia was not the best choice, as my partner has a strong fear of flying. Poland, on the other hand, looked much more tempting and mysterious, especially when compared to Lithuania, where we already had a certain connection - my partner had been there many times, and I had spent a lot of time in that country since I was nine years old. We soon came to the conclusion that it would be best for us to head to Lithuania.

Unpleasant news about the move

However, we soon faced an unexpected difficulty: moving to Lithuania as a couple was very much in question for us. According to the relocation program requirements from the company where my partner worked, the conditions were quite strict.

• It is necessary to have at least five years of professional experience.or a college degree.
• Income should not be below the subsistence minimum.In Lithuania, which at the beginning of 2022 amounted to about 1600 euros.

It should be noted that as of today, the relevant reasons for migrating to Lithuania include family reunification, employment, education, and entrepreneurial activities. Special materials can help better understand the nuances of doing business in Lithuania.

Migration conditions for relocation

There are certain migration conditions that need to be taken into account in order to move to Lithuania. One of the possible options is to obtain a national visa type D. This document is usually issued to foreigners who plan to stay in Vilnius for up to a year to study or work.

• There is also a visa for startups, intended for those who wish to open a business in Lithuania.
• After receiving a positive evaluation of your business idea from Lithuanian specialists, you will have the opportunity to apply for a temporary residence permit.
• In addition, there is the EU Blue Card — a special type of work and residence permit for highly qualified specialists from non-EU countries.

Difficulties in preparing for a move

Our moving process turned out to be quite complicated. We realized that in Lithuania (unlike Poland and much more than in Georgia) a joint relocation is impossible. At that moment, I was in a state of temporary unemployment and was taking what is called a career break, which became the legal basis for the refusal of our relocation.

Moreover, having a romantic relationship with an IT worker is not considered a sufficient argument for obtaining a visa or residence permit. Even if we have several years of living together, shared photos, and tickets, it does not provide any priorities. Therefore, in the end, we hurriedly registered our marriage and provided the certificate to the HR specialists at my partner's company.

Preparation of necessary documents

The list of required documents included:

• Marriage certificate;
• Photos;
• Passports;
• The employment contracts of my husband from all the organizations he has worked for in the last five years.

Fortunately, many aspects of the paperwork preparation were taken care of by his company. In modern IT structures, special departments are often formed to handle employee relocation issues, so getting assistance in this area has become quite a common occurrence.

After we gathered all the necessary documents, we visited the visa center to apply for a six-month type D visa. It should be emphasized that during this period we will also need to obtain a residence permit in Lithuania. The entire process, from our wedding to receiving the visa, took approximately two months.Prices for goods are similar to those in Belarus, and in some cases even lowerI noticed this during the moving process.

Housing search

A month before our arrival, I started actively searching for housing, and it was very important for us that the apartment had at least two rooms, as we spend a lot of time at home and need separate space. Additionally, we would prefer the apartment to be in close proximity to my husband's office. In early May, I shortlisted about 70 apartment options based on personal preferences. Then we prioritized by neighborhoods, and we ended up with 39 properties on our list, during which process we added a few new options that had recently appeared in the listings.

First day in Vilnius

On the first day of our stay in Vilnius, I contacted all the owners of the selected apartments to arrange meetings. I managed to visit 8 or 9 apartments. My husband joined me only in the evening, and after all the viewings, we were completely exhausted.

In Lithuania, if you do not limit your financial expenses, the cost of one visit to the supermarket varies from 40 to 60 euros, which becomes the basis for stocking up on food for about one and a half to two weeks. On average, it costs about 200 euros a month for food and, if necessary, alcohol.

Prices for food and services

The prices in various cafes and restaurants are on par with those in Minsk, although they can sometimes exceed Belarusian prices by 20%. On the other hand, it's worth noting that clothing and footwear in this region are significantly cheaper, almost half the price compared to Belarus.

Beauty services

As for the beauty services sector, I only tried out manicures and pedicures, which cost between 20 and 50 euros, while massages can be had for between 20 and 40 euros. A fitness club membership will cost around 30 euros, while a cab ride ranges from 3 to 8 euros. The service of renting an electric scooter is much more affordable here than in the Republic of Belarus - I managed to ride through almost the entire city for only 5 euros.

Comfortable living

Personally, I believe that a sum of 1500 euros per person provides a quite comfortable existence. However, it is worth noting that this opinion is subjective—some cannot imagine their lives without traveling, others smoke, and some prefer to spend time at home or actively entertain themselves in bars. All these circumstances can either significantly increase your budgets or, on the contrary, help you save.

The active lifestyle of Lithuanians

For example, on Saturday evenings, you can see many more people in gyms or swimming pools than in nightclubs. Lithuanians have an unusual mentality—they care less about their appearance and try to be genuine. Here, there is a preference for more modest yet stylish clothing, as opposed to excessive flamboyance.

Quality of service

Service in banks and state institutions is at a high level here, but in restaurants and cafes, the quality of service is sometimes lower than in Minsk. In general, we can say that in Belarus the owners of private establishments make more efforts to ensure the quality of services, while in Lithuania such establishments can afford to relax. At the same time, state organizations have a system of fast and courteous service, which is lacking in the capital of Belarus.

Health care

Health issues are another topic that is very important for Lithuanian society. Social and sports activism is noticeable: Saturday evenings are more often spent in gyms and swimming pools rather than in clubs. This is inspiring, and such a culture of an active lifestyle demonstrates that Vilnius has all the conditions for developing healthy habits and engaging in sports.

• There are many available or free sports and educational programs.
• Tobacco products are significantly more expensive.
• Alcohol, for example, cannot be purchased after 8 p.m. in stores (after 3 p.m. on Sundays).
• The atmosphere in the city is calmer and more environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages of the system

Nevertheless, one of the drawbacks is the not very active use of social media in establishments, stores, and gyms, which makes it difficult to find relevant information about them in everyday life. This is one of those aspects that require attention to improve the overall quality of services provided in this area.

Introduction

In conclusion to my article, I want to share my thoughts on moving to Lithuania and how it has impacted my life. Moving is always not just a change of residence, but a whole range of new opportunities that open up for a person. I am originally from Minsk, and when we made the decision to move, it was a step not only into the unknown but also into a world of new experiences and challenges.

Difficulties and paperwork

The first difficulty was in preparing the necessary documents. I understood that to live legally, I needed to have a valid reason: work, study, or family reunification. This certainly scared me a bit, but I realized that by taking the first step, I would become part of this new world for me. The realities of life in Lithuania turned out to be exciting: I was struck by the friendly atmosphere, the unique culture, and of course, the opportunity to travel around Europe, which I had always loved.

Communication with Lithuanians

I have heard many different stories from other people who also moved to Lithuania. Everyone has their own reasons and challenges, but we all seek a better quality of life. I have met amazing people, and interacting with Lithuanians has enriched my experience. Their love for culture and traditions is impressive, and I try to be a part of this unique environment.

Work and blog

Since I work in the field of digital marketing and run my own blog, I understand how important it is to share my experiences. I hope my story will help others who have decided to take a step towards a new life. Moving to Lithuania has not only been an opportunity for me to build a career but also a new stage of personal growth.

Lessons of moving

The temporary difficulties and challenges we faced only strengthened my resolve in this decision. As they say, don't be afraid of change — it makes us stronger. By moving to Lithuania, I didn't just find a new place to live; I found a home.

Conclusion

I wish everyone who is considering such changes courage and good luck on this journey. Keep in mind:

• Every step, even the most difficult, is a step toward your dream.