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Lithuania offers multiple pathways to residency through business investment, though buying real estate alone doesn't guarantee residency status. The country provides accessible investment thresholds starting from €14,000 for business-based residence permits, making it one of Europe's more affordable options for obtaining EU residency.
Property investment can be part of your residency strategy when structured through a Lithuanian company, but you'll need to meet specific business operation requirements and employ local citizens to maintain your residence permit.
If you want to go deeper, you can check our pack of documents related to the real estate market in Lithuania, based on reliable facts and data, not opinions or rumors.
Lithuania doesn't offer direct residency through real estate purchase but provides business investment routes starting at €14,000 minimum investment.
Property can be used as company capital, and after five years of continuous residency, you can apply for permanent residence, with citizenship possible after ten years.
| Investment Route | Minimum Investment | Initial Permit Validity | Family Inclusion | Real Estate Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Investment | €14,000 | 1-2 years | Yes | As company asset only |
| Large-Scale Investment | €260,000 | Up to 3 years | Yes | As company asset only |
| Start-up Visa | ~€8,000 personal funds | 1 year | Yes | No |
| Real Estate Only | No minimum | Not applicable | No | No residency granted |
| Permanent Residency | After 5 years | Indefinite | Yes | Maintained status |
| Citizenship | After 10 years | Permanent | Yes | Full rights |
What type of residency permit does Lithuania offer for real estate or business investors?
Lithuania offers three main residency pathways for investors, with business investment being the primary route rather than direct real estate purchase.
The standard Business Investment Route requires a minimum €14,000 investment in a Lithuanian company, with the company's total equity reaching at least €28,000. This route grants a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) valid for 1-2 years initially, renewable based on continued business operations and compliance with employment requirements.
Large-Scale Investment Category demands €260,000 minimum investment and creation of at least five full-time jobs for Lithuanian or EU citizens. This pathway offers TRPs valid for up to three years with streamlined renewal processes, making it attractive for substantial investors who can meet the employment obligations.
The Start-up Visa targets innovative entrepreneurs in sectors like IT, biotech, or electronics. This route requires approximately €8,000 in personal funds and a credible business plan, offering initial TRPs valid for one year, extendable up to three years with possible two-year extensions.
Real estate investment alone does not qualify for any residency permit in Lithuania, distinguishing it from traditional "Golden Visa" programs offered by other EU countries.
Is there a specific Golden Visa or Citizenship by Investment program in Lithuania?
Lithuania does not operate a traditional Golden Visa or direct Citizenship by Investment program like those found in countries such as Portugal, Spain, or Malta.
The country's approach focuses exclusively on business investment and entrepreneurship rather than passive real estate investment. This means you cannot simply purchase property and receive residency rights, regardless of the property value or location within Lithuania.
Instead, Lithuania's investment immigration system requires active business participation, employment creation for local citizens, and ongoing business operations to maintain residency status. This approach aligns with Lithuania's economic development goals of attracting genuine business investment rather than passive capital.
The absence of a Golden Visa program means investors must demonstrate real economic contribution through job creation, business operations, and sustained investment in the Lithuanian economy.
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Can buying real estate in Lithuania lead to residency, and what types of properties qualify?
Direct real estate purchase does not grant residency rights in Lithuania, but property can form part of a qualifying business investment structure.
Foreigners can freely purchase residential and commercial properties in Lithuania, except for agricultural land and forests which have restrictions. However, owning property alone provides no pathway to residency, regardless of the property type, value, or location.
Property can qualify as part of your business investment if you establish a Lithuanian company whose purpose includes property rental, property management, or real estate development. The real estate must be transferred to the company as capital contribution, and the total company equity must reach at least €28,000, with your personal investment being minimum €14,000.
Residential properties, commercial buildings, office spaces, and retail properties can all potentially qualify when properly structured through a Lithuanian company. The key requirement is that the property must generate genuine business activity and contribute to the company's operations rather than serving as passive investment.
Some sources mention multiple-entry Schengen visas for property owners, but this does not constitute a residence permit and provides no long-term residency rights in Lithuania.
What is the minimum investment amount required for obtaining residency through property or business?
| Investment Route | Personal Investment | Total Company Equity | Employment Requirement | Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Business Investment | €14,000 | €28,000 | 1 Lithuanian/EU citizen | €2,000-5,000 |
| Large-Scale Investment | €260,000 | €260,000+ | 5 full-time employees | €5,000-10,000 |
| Start-up Visa | €8,000 | Variable | Innovation focus | €1,500-3,000 |
| Property as Company Asset | €14,000 | €28,000 (including property) | 1 Lithuanian/EU citizen | €3,000-6,000 |
| Annual Renewal Costs | N/A | Ongoing operations | Salary payments | €2,000-4,000 |
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What are the steps to apply for a residency permit through investment, and how long does the process take?
The application process follows a structured timeline requiring business establishment before residency application submission.
First, establish your Lithuanian company by registering with the State Enterprise Centre of Registers, which takes 1-5 business days and costs approximately €150-300. You must then make your minimum €14,000 investment and ensure total company equity reaches €28,000 through additional capital or assets.
The company must operate for at least six months before you can apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. During this period, you must employ at least one Lithuanian or EU citizen at competitive salary levels, maintain business operations, and document all activities for immigration authorities.
After the six-month operational period, submit your TRP application through the Lithuanian Migration Department or a Lithuanian consulate abroad. Required documentation includes business registration, proof of investment, employment contracts, business plan, financial statements, and personal documents including health insurance and accommodation proof.
Processing times are typically 2-4 months for Temporary Residence Permits, with an additional 15-45 days if you need a national visa first. Total timeline from company establishment to residence permit approval ranges from 8-12 months, assuming all requirements are met without complications.
Can I include my spouse and children in the same residency application, and what are the conditions?
Family members can be included through Lithuania's family reunification provisions, though they cannot be added to the initial business investment application directly.
Once you receive your Temporary Residence Permit, your spouse and minor children (under 18) can apply for family reunification permits. The main applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support all family members, typically requiring monthly income of at least €200 per family member beyond the main applicant.
Required documentation for family members includes marriage certificates, birth certificates, proof of financial support, health insurance, and accommodation arrangements. All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Lithuanian by certified translators.
Family members' residence permits are tied to the validity and renewal of the main applicant's permit. If the main applicant's business permit expires or is not renewed, family members typically lose their residency status unless they qualify for permits independently.
Processing time for family reunification applications is typically 2-3 months after the main applicant receives their residence permit, adding to the overall timeline for complete family residency.
What are the requirements for getting residency through starting or investing in a business in Lithuania?
Business residency requirements focus on genuine economic activity rather than passive investment, with specific operational and employment obligations.
The business must engage in legitimate commercial activities within Lithuania's legal framework, maintain proper accounting records, and file required tax returns and regulatory reports. You must demonstrate active participation in business management rather than serving as a passive investor or silent partner.
Employment requirements mandate hiring at least one Lithuanian or EU citizen for standard business investment routes, or five full-time employees for large-scale investment categories. Employee salaries must meet Lithuanian minimum wage standards, currently around €760 per month, with proper employment contracts and social security contributions.
Financial obligations include maintaining company equity at required levels throughout the residency period, covering operational expenses, employee salaries, and regulatory compliance costs. The business must generate legitimate revenue streams and demonstrate economic viability for permit renewals.
Ongoing compliance includes annual business activity reports, financial audits for larger companies, immigration status updates, and maintaining health insurance and accommodation arrangements throughout the residency period.
How long is the initial residence permit valid for, and what are the conditions for renewal?
Initial Temporary Residence Permits are typically valid for 1-2 years, with renewal dependent on continued compliance with business and immigration requirements.
Renewal conditions require maintaining your business investment at minimum levels, continuing to employ required Lithuanian or EU citizens, and demonstrating ongoing business operations through financial statements and activity reports. The business must show legitimate commercial activity rather than being a shell company created solely for immigration purposes.
Financial requirements for renewal include proving sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members, maintaining health insurance coverage, and demonstrating that business operations can sustain required employment and investment levels.
Large-scale investors with €260,000+ investments may receive permits valid for up to three years initially, with streamlined renewal processes recognizing their substantial economic contribution to Lithuania.
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Is there a clear path from temporary residency to permanent residency and eventually to citizenship?
Lithuania provides a straightforward progression from temporary residency to permanent residency and eventually citizenship, with clearly defined timelines and requirements.
After five years of continuous legal residence in Lithuania, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency status. This requires maintaining your temporary residence permits without significant gaps, demonstrating integration into Lithuanian society, and meeting financial stability requirements throughout the five-year period.
Citizenship becomes available after ten years of continuous legal residence, subject to additional requirements including Lithuanian language proficiency, knowledge of the Lithuanian constitution and history, and demonstration of integration into Lithuanian society. As of June 2025, Lithuania allows dual citizenship for most countries, making this option more attractive for investors.
The pathway requires maintaining your business investment and compliance with all immigration requirements throughout the temporary residency period. Failure to renew temporary permits or lapses in residency status can reset the timeline for permanent residency and citizenship eligibility.
Permanent residents enjoy most rights of Lithuanian citizens except voting in national elections, while retaining the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Lithuania indefinitely.
What documents and proof of funds are needed to apply for residency through investment?
Documentation requirements are comprehensive and must demonstrate both business legitimacy and personal financial capacity for residency in Lithuania.
Business documentation includes company registration certificates, articles of incorporation, business licenses if required for your industry, employment contracts for Lithuanian or EU citizen employees, and detailed business plans outlining operations, revenue projections, and market analysis.
Financial proof requires bank statements showing the source and availability of investment funds, typically covering the previous 6-12 months, proof of €14,000+ personal investment in the Lithuanian company, evidence of company equity reaching €28,000, and demonstration of ongoing funds to support yourself and family members.
Personal documents include valid passport with at least 18 months remaining validity, health insurance covering Lithuania, accommodation arrangements through rental agreement or property ownership, clean criminal background checks from all countries where you've resided for more than 12 months in the past five years, and educational or professional qualifications relevant to your business activities.
All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Lithuanian by certified translators, adding time and cost to the application process but ensuring legal validity of your documentation.
Are there any notable success stories or documented cases of people who got residency this way?
Several documented success cases demonstrate the viability of Lithuania's business investment residency program for international investors from various backgrounds.
A notable case involves two brothers from India who obtained Lithuanian residency by establishing a technology consulting company in Vilnius, investing the minimum €14,000 each and employing Lithuanian IT professionals. Their families, including spouses and children, successfully joined them through family reunification after the main applicants received their residence permits.
An Australian entrepreneur established a property management company in Kaunas, using real estate investments as company capital while meeting the employment requirements by hiring local property maintenance staff. This case demonstrates how real estate can be effectively integrated into a qualifying business structure.
Success factors in documented cases include thorough preparation of business plans, genuine operational activity rather than passive investment, compliance with employment requirements from the start, and professional legal assistance to navigate documentation and compliance requirements.
Most successful applicants emphasize the importance of establishing legitimate business operations before applying for residency, rather than attempting to create shell companies solely for immigration purposes.
What are the common reasons people get rejected for investment-based residency, and how can they be avoided?
Rejection rates can be minimized by understanding common pitfalls and ensuring comprehensive compliance with all requirements from the initial application.
Insufficient business activity represents the most frequent rejection cause, where applicants create companies that exist only on paper without genuine operations, employees, or revenue. Avoid this by establishing real business operations, maintaining proper accounting records, and documenting legitimate commercial activities from the company's inception.
Incomplete or incorrect documentation leads to many rejections, particularly when financial proof doesn't clearly demonstrate fund sources, business plans lack detail or credibility, or required employment contracts are missing or non-compliant with Lithuanian labor law.
Financial insufficiency includes failing to maintain required investment levels, inability to demonstrate ongoing financial capacity to support family members, or unclear source of investment funds that raises money laundering concerns among immigration authorities.
Previous immigration violations, weak ties to Lithuania, or unconvincing explanations for choosing Lithuania as an investment destination can also result in rejection. Successful applicants typically demonstrate clear business rationale for Lithuanian operations and commitment to long-term residence.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Lithuania's investment residency program offers one of Europe's most accessible pathways to EU residency, with relatively low minimum investment requirements starting at €14,000 for business investment routes.
While direct real estate purchase doesn't grant residency, property can be effectively integrated into qualifying business structures when properly planned and executed with professional guidance.
Sources
- Golden Visas - Lithuania Investment Program
- Immigrant Invest - Lithuania Real Estate Guide
- InvestRopa - Lithuania Real Estate for Foreigners
- Lithuanian Citizenship - Investment Case Study
- Armenian Lawyer - Lithuania Investment Residency Guide
- CitizenX - Lithuania Citizenship by Investment
- Lawyers Lithuania - Residence Permit Guide
- TET Law - Real Estate Acquisition by Foreigners
- Migration Lounge - Real Estate Visa Options
- Notte Global - Lithuania Golden Visa Guide