Welcome students to Lithuania

Picture this: stepping off a plane into a country of contrasts, where medieval streets meet the fastest internet in Europe. Moving to Lithuania comes with a unique mix of digital bureaucracy and cultural adjustment, but you don’t have to go it alone.
We’ve summarized all the essential steps for you — from securing a modern co-living space to getting your e-permit — so you can focus on what really matters: your studies and your new life in the Baltics.

 Road Map

STEP 1

Find your home & Security Deposits

Start your search early on dedicated platforms to secure your studio or co-living room.
- EU Students: Landlords only ask for your passport or ID card and directly propose standard contracts.
- Non-EU Students: Landlords ask for a copy of your passport and visa. The university issues the mediation letter in the government system [MIGRIS](https://www.migracija.lt/) only after confirming a physical accommodation address.

- All students: Private landlords and co-living centers ask for a security deposit (depozitas).
- Costs: The amount usually varies between 1 and 3 months of rent.
- Rule: The money is paid in full upon signing the contract and is returned in full at the end of the contractual period.

STEP 2

Mandatory Insurance

Medical insurance is a critical bureaucratic step before arrival.
-EU Students: You must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued free of charge by your home country to access public clinics.
- Non-EU Students: A private insurance policy with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, including medical repatriation, is mandatory.
-HubStudentsEurope recommendation: Use HelloSafe — an excellent global comparator that allows you to instantly analyze insurance offers tailored to international students and compliant with visa requirements.

STEP 3

Mobile Data & Connectivity

A Lithuanian phone number is mandatory for 2 reasons

Get connected to the internet from the moment you arrive in the country.
- Non-EU Students (First Weeks): We recommend the eSIM data plan from Airalo (known locally as Bonbon Mobile). Activate it online before takeoff and you have instant internet at the airport for maps, transport apps and messaging, without having to search for physical stores upon arrival.
- Local Prepaid SIMs: Once you’ve settled in, buy a local prepaid card with no contract (Pildyk, Ežys or Labas) from any Narvesen kiosk to get your official phone number with the +370 prefix.
- Smart-ID application activation: Local banks use Smart-ID exclusively for secure login and transactions. Without a local number with the prefix +370, the application cannot be configured.
- Official notifications and courier: All migration authorities, delivery services and universities use SMS as the main quick contact channel.

STEP 4

Open your Bank Account

Required for paying rent, utilities and receiving any student grants.
- Tip for Non-EU Students: Traditional banks like [SEB](https://www.seb.lt/) or [Swedbank](https://www.swedbank.lt/) charge high application fees for non-EU citizens (up to 250 EUR).
- Fintech solution: Open a free account online at Revolut Bank or Paysera in just 5 minutes, using only your passport and visa on your phone. After obtaining your residence permit (TRP), you can open an account at traditional banks for free.

STEP 5

Register your Address & Get LSP

Once you have signed the rental agreement, you need to formalize your status in the city.
- Address declaration: Go to the local town hall (seniūnija) within one month of moving to register your address and receive your personal identification number (asmens kodas).
- Student Card: Apply immediately on the official platform for the national card [LSP (Lietuvos studento pažymėjimas)](https://lush.lt/guides/first-30-days-setup-order) or [ISIC](https://www.reddit.com/r/Vilnius/comments/1q1x4q1/student_discount_on_public_transport_with_foreign/).

STEP 6

Public Transport, ESN Lithuania & Working Rights

Urban networks are fully digitalized, and integration into the labor market is well regulated.
- TRAFI App: Download TRAFI for buying digital tickets and planning routes in real time.
- 80% Discount: Based on a valid LSP or ISIC card, the price of the monthly transport subscription drops by 80%, reaching only a few euros per month.

- Join ESN Lithuania: Get actively involved in the activities organized by the local ESN Lithuania (Erasmus Student Network). They organize Welcome Weeks, accessible trips to the Baltic countries, and cultural integration evenings.
- Buddy System: Sign up for the national Buddy System platform managed by ESN to receive a local mentor (a Lithuanian student) before your arrival. He or she will help you navigate your first days at the university and in the city.

- EU Students (Work): You can work full-time (40 hours/week) from the first day, without limitations.
- Non-EU Students (CRITICAL 2026 UPDATE): Your work rights depend strictly on the year of study:
- Bachelor's degree (Years 1 and 2): Strict legal limit of maximum 20 hours per week.
- Bachelor's degree (Years 3-4), Master's and Doctorate: You have the legal right to work 40 hours per week (full-time).

STEP 1

Find your home & Security Deposits

Start your search early on dedicated platforms to secure your studio or co-living room.
- EU Students: Landlords only ask for your passport or ID card and directly propose standard contracts.
- Non-EU Students: Landlords ask for a copy of your passport and visa. The university issues the mediation letter in the government system [MIGRIS](https://www.migracija.lt/) only after confirming a physical accommodation address.

- All students: Private landlords and co-living centers ask for a security deposit (depozitas).
- Costs: The amount usually varies between 1 and 3 months of rent.
- Rule: The money is paid in full upon signing the contract and is returned in full at the end of the contractual period.

International Student Rental Safeguards in the Baltics
SHED Co-living
A premium provider of modern, commercially managed and fully vetted accommodation, specifically designed for international students in Vilnius and Kaunas.

- Fully furnished rooms: Fully furnished private studios with private bathrooms and functional kitchenettes.

- All-inclusive setup: Utilities, electricity, heating and Wi-Fi are directly integrated into the single monthly rate.

- Professional amenities: Free access to the complex's fitness room, quiet co-working spaces and administrative security systems.

Book your room at SHED Co-living
- Liv-in Vilnius
One of the largest commercial accommodation complexes in the capital, offering safe environments and fully transparent contracts.

- Flexible contracts: Adaptable rental periods, ideal for students arriving through official academic mobility programs.
- Integrated services: Secure self-service laundry, included technical maintenance and 24/7 video monitoring of common areas.
- Strategic location: Located on official urban public transport routes, facilitating direct connection to major universities.

Discover student studios at Liv-in
Atlas Living
Modern residential concept managed by a dedicated company, completely eliminating the risks of transactions intermediated on the grey market.

- Formal study areas: Quiet workspaces designed after the structure of university libraries for maximum productivity.
- Verified infrastructure: Digital card-based access, fully equipped community kitchens and professionally managed relaxation areas.
- Transparent rates: Clear prices with no hidden costs or unforeseen administration fees.

[Check rates at Atlas Living](https://atlasliving.lt/)