Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Lithuania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Lithuania Property Pack
Lithuania doesn't offer a direct Golden Visa through real estate investment, but you can still get residency by investing as little as €14,000 in a business.
As of June 2025, foreign investors can obtain Lithuanian residence permits through several business investment routes, with options starting from €14,000 and providing a pathway to EU citizenship after 10 years.
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 offers business-based residence permits starting at €14,000, but no direct real estate investment visa exists.
All investment routes require active business operation, employment of local staff, and lead to citizenship eligibility after 10 years of continuous residence.
| Investment Route | Minimum Investment | Permit Duration | Family Inclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Residency | €14,000 | 1 year (renewable) | No |
| Entrepreneur Visa | €28,000 | 1-2 years (renewable) | Yes |
| Golden Visa (Business) | €50,000 | 2 years (renewable) | Yes |
| Startup Visa | €8,000+ | 1-5 years (renewable) | Yes |
| Large-Scale Investor | €260,000 | 3 years (renewable) | Yes |
What investment-based residence permits does Lithuania offer in 2025?
Lithuania provides five main routes for foreign investors to obtain residence permits through business investment as we reach mid-2025.
The Investment Residency permit requires a minimum personal investment of €14,000 in company equity, making it the most affordable option. The Entrepreneur Visa needs €28,000 in company capitalization and includes family members. The Golden Visa (Business) requires €50,000 and offers a 2-year renewable permit.
For tech-savvy investors, the Startup Visa requires proof of funds starting from €8,000 plus an approved innovative business plan. Large-scale investors can access a 3-year permit with €260,000 investment and employment of at least 5 local staff.
All these programs require active business operation for at least 6 months before applying, employment of Lithuanian or EU citizens, and genuine economic activity. Unlike countries such as Portugal or Spain, Lithuania doesn't offer any direct real estate investment visa - all routes go through business investment.
Does Lithuania have a true Golden Visa or Citizenship by Investment program?
Lithuania doesn't offer direct citizenship by investment like Caribbean nations do - you can't simply buy a passport.
What Lithuania calls its "Golden Visa" is actually a business investment residency program that provides a pathway to citizenship after 10 years of legal residence. You'll need to maintain your business, pass Lithuanian language tests, and complete civic integration requirements.
The Lithuanian Golden Visa (Business) requires €50,000 investment and offers a 2-year renewable residence permit. This gives you the right to live in Lithuania and travel freely within the Schengen Area, but it's not an instant citizenship program.
For citizenship, you must live in Lithuania for 10 continuous years, including 5 years as a permanent resident. During this time, you cannot be absent from Lithuania for more than 6 months per year. This makes it a genuine residency program rather than a passport-for-sale scheme.
How exactly does the business investment route work?
The business investment route requires you to establish or acquire a Lithuanian company and actively operate it.
First, you'll register a new company or buy shares in an existing Lithuanian business. The company must have minimum equity of €28,000, with at least €14,000 coming from your personal investment. You'll need to open a Lithuanian bank account and deposit the required share capital.
Next, you must operate the business for at least 6 months before applying for residency. This means generating real invoices, signing contracts, maintaining proper accounting records, and showing genuine economic activity. The Lithuanian authorities strictly check for fictitious businesses.
Employment requirements are non-negotiable: you must hire 1-3 Lithuanian or EU citizens (depending on your chosen program) and pay them at least twice the national average wage, currently around €2,238 per month. For the Large-Scale Investor route, you need at least 5 employees.
As the investor, you must be actively involved as a director or significant shareholder. Passive investments where you're not engaged in daily operations won't qualify. It's something we develop in our Lithuania property pack.
What are the minimum investment amounts for each program?
Investment thresholds in Lithuania vary significantly based on the chosen residency route.
The most affordable option is the Investment Residency at just €14,000 personal investment, though the company still needs €28,000 total equity. The standard Entrepreneur Visa requires €28,000 in company capitalization. The Golden Visa (Business) needs €50,000, which sometimes includes legal and administrative fees.
| Program Type | Personal Investment | Company Equity Required | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Residency | €14,000 | €28,000 | 1-3 local employees |
| Entrepreneur Visa | €28,000 | €28,000 | 1-3 local employees |
| Golden Visa (Business) | €50,000 | €28,000+ | 3 local employees |
| Startup Visa | €8,000+ | N/A | Innovative business plan |
| Large-Scale Investor | €260,000 | €260,000 | 5 local employees |
Beyond the investment amount, factor in operational costs like employee salaries (minimum €2,238/month per employee), office rent, accounting services, and legal fees ranging from €5,000-€25,000 depending on complexity.
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Can I get Lithuanian residency by buying real estate?
You cannot get Lithuanian residency simply by purchasing real estate - this is a common misconception.
Lithuania doesn't offer a direct real estate Golden Visa like Portugal, Spain, or Greece. Buying a property in Vilnius or any other Lithuanian city won't qualify you for a residence permit on its own. Property ownership can support your application by proving accommodation, but it's not a qualifying investment.
However, there's an indirect route: you can inject real estate into a company as capital. If you own property worth at least €28,000, you can transfer it to a Lithuanian company as share capital, then apply through the business investment route. The property must be properly valued and the transfer documented.
This indirect method still requires you to operate an active business, employ local staff, and meet all other business investment criteria. The property essentially becomes a business asset rather than a personal investment. Many investors find it simpler to use cash investment and keep property ownership separate.
What are the key eligibility requirements for investors?
Foreign investors must meet strict criteria to qualify for Lithuanian investment residency.
You must be a non-EU/EEA citizen, as EU citizens already have the right to live in Lithuania. You'll need to make the minimum required investment in company equity and maintain an active role as company director or shareholder. The business must operate genuinely for at least 6 months with proper documentation.
Employment requirements are mandatory - you must hire 1-3 Lithuanian or EU citizens depending on your program, paying them at least twice the average wage. You'll need proof of accommodation in Lithuania, whether through property ownership or a rental agreement.
Personal requirements include a clean criminal record from your home country and any country where you've lived for over 6 months. You must have sufficient personal funds to support yourself beyond the business investment. Health insurance is required after approval. Language skills aren't needed for the initial permit but become essential for permanent residency and citizenship.
The authorities strictly verify that businesses are genuine - shell companies or inactive businesses lead to immediate rejection or permit cancellation.
What's the complete step-by-step application process?
The Lithuanian investment residency application follows a structured 7-step process.
Step 1: Initial consultation and planning. Assess your eligibility, choose the most suitable program, and prepare a viable business plan. This planning phase typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Step 2: Company registration. Register a new Lithuanian company or acquire shares in an existing one. Deposit the required share capital (minimum €28,000 with at least €14,000 from you personally). Open a Lithuanian bank account. Timeline: 1-2 weeks.
Step 3: Business operation. Run the business actively for at least 6 months. Hire the required number of Lithuanian/EU employees. Generate real invoices, contracts, and maintain proper accounting records. This is the longest phase.
Step 4: Document preparation. Gather all required documents including passport, business registration, proof of investment, business plan, accommodation proof, criminal record certificate, and family documents if applicable. Allow 2-3 weeks for document collection.
Step 5: Online application submission through MIGRIS (Lithuanian Migration Information System). Upload digital documents and pay fees (€140 for standard processing, €320 for urgent). Schedule your biometric appointment.
Step 6: Processing and decision. Standard processing takes 2-4 months, urgent processing 45 days. During this time, authorities may request additional documents or clarifications.
Step 7: Permit collection and registration. Collect your residence permit card in Lithuania and register your residential address within 1 month of arrival.
How long does the residence permit last and how do renewals work?
Initial residence permits through investment last 1-3 years depending on your chosen program.
The basic Investment Residency and Entrepreneur Visa typically grant 1-2 year permits initially. The Golden Visa (Business) offers 2 years, while Large-Scale Investors can receive 3-year permits. The Startup Visa varies from 1-5 years based on your business plan and projected milestones.
Renewals are straightforward if you maintain program requirements. You can renew for 2-4 years at a time by demonstrating continued business operation, employment of local staff, and tax compliance. The renewal application should be submitted 1-2 months before your current permit expires through the MIGRIS system.
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible for permanent residency. This requires passing a Lithuanian language test at A2 level and a civic knowledge exam. Permanent residence permits are valid indefinitely but the card must be renewed every 10 years.
Maintaining residency requires physical presence - you cannot be absent from Lithuania for more than 6 consecutive months or more than 10 months total within any 2-year period. It's detailed in our Lithuania property pack.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Lithuania versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you're planning to invest there.
Can my family members join me and under what conditions?
Most Lithuanian investment programs allow family inclusion, but rules vary by program type.
The basic Investment Residency (€14,000) doesn't include family members - they must apply separately. However, the Entrepreneur Visa, Golden Visa (Business), Startup Visa, and Large-Scale Investor programs all permit family inclusion.
Eligible family members typically include your spouse and minor children under 18. Some programs also allow inclusion of dependent adult children up to 25 if they're full-time students, as well as dependent parents or grandparents over 65. Each family member needs separate documentation including passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and criminal record checks.
Family members receive residence permits tied to yours - if your permit is cancelled, theirs are too. They have the right to work and study in Lithuania without additional permits. Children can attend Lithuanian schools and universities at local rates.
The main applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support all family members, typically an additional €200-400 per month per family member beyond the business investment.
Is there a clear path from investment residency to Lithuanian citizenship?
Yes, investment residency provides a pathway to Lithuanian citizenship, but it requires genuine long-term commitment.
The timeline is fixed: 10 years of continuous legal residence in Lithuania, including the last 5 years as a permanent resident. During these 10 years, you cannot be absent from Lithuania for more than 6 months at a time or 10 months total in any 2-year period.
Language requirements are substantial - you'll need to pass a Lithuanian language test at B1 level (intermediate) for citizenship, higher than the A2 required for permanent residency. You must also pass a constitutional knowledge exam covering Lithuanian history, culture, and laws.
Lithuania generally doesn't allow dual citizenship except for specific cases (Lithuanian descent, marriage to a Lithuanian, or exceptional merit). Most investors must renounce their original citizenship, though enforcement varies by country.
The naturalization process takes 6-12 months after meeting all requirements. Children born in Lithuania to permanent residents may have an easier path to citizenship. Once naturalized, you receive full EU citizenship rights including visa-free travel to 190+ countries.
What do real investors say about their experiences?
Success stories highlight Lithuania's relatively fast processing times and low investment thresholds.
One tech entrepreneur from India reported receiving his residence permit in just 2 months through the Startup Visa program with an €8,000 investment. He successfully relocated his family and now runs a software development company in Vilnius employing 5 Lithuanians. Processing was smooth because he had genuine business experience and a solid plan.
Common challenges include strict enforcement of business activity requirements. Several investors reported permit refusals or cancellations when authorities discovered inactive companies or fake employment arrangements. One investor from China lost his permit after investigators found his two "employees" were actually working elsewhere full-time.
Language barriers pose difficulties, especially outside Vilnius. While business can be conducted in English, dealing with government offices often requires Lithuanian. Many successful applicants hired local lawyers or consultants to navigate bureaucracy.
Positive experiences emphasize Lithuania's EU membership benefits - one Russian investor mentioned how his Lithuanian permit allowed him to expand business across Europe. Families particularly appreciate the education system and lower cost of living compared to Western Europe.
What documents and legal support will I need?
Document requirements are extensive and must be properly prepared to avoid delays.
- Valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond your planned stay
- Company registration certificate and articles of association
- Proof of investment (bank statements, share certificates, capital contribution documents)
- Detailed business plan showing viability and economic benefit to Lithuania
- Proof of accommodation (property deed or notarized rental agreement)
- Criminal record certificates from your home country and any country where you've lived 6+ months
- Employment contracts and payroll records for Lithuanian staff
- Proof of sufficient funds (typically €1,000-1,500 per month per person)
- Family documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates) with apostille
- Health insurance policy valid in Lithuania
All foreign documents must be translated into Lithuanian by certified translators and apostilled or legalized. Digital copies are uploaded to MIGRIS, but originals may be requested.
Legal support is highly recommended - fees typically range from €5,000 for basic applications to €25,000 for complex family cases. Lawyers handle company formation, document preparation, MIGRIS submission, and communication with migration authorities. They ensure your business structure meets requirements and help avoid common pitfalls that lead to rejection. You'll find more insights in our Lithuania property pack.
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 programs offer some of the most affordable entry points into the EU, starting at just €14,000, but require genuine business activity and long-term commitment rather than passive investment.
As of June 2025, these programs provide a clear 10-year pathway to EU citizenship for investors willing to operate real businesses, employ local staff, and integrate into Lithuanian society, making them ideal for entrepreneurs seeking European expansion rather than simply buying residency.
Sources
- Company Formation Lithuania - Residence Permit Guide
- Notte Global - Lithuania Golden Visa Complete Guide
- Lawyers Lithuania - Golden Visa Program
- Immigration.lt - Residence Permit Information
- Lawyers Lithuania - Citizenship by Investment
- No More Tax - Lithuanian Investment Residence
- Lithuanian Migration Department - Official Residence Permit Guide
- Migration Information Center - Temporary Residence Permit
- CitizenX - Lithuania Citizenship Investment Analysis
- Armenian Lawyer - Step-by-Step Lithuania Investment Guide