When you finish this guide, you’ll understand every business-based residency route in Lithuania, from minimum investment levels to the path leading you toward permanent residence and citizenship. You’ll also learn the practical steps for setting up your company, meeting local employment rules, and including your family in your plans.

Types of Business-Based Residency Permits

Lithuania offers several investor visa options, each tailored to different levels of commitment and business models.

Investment Residency Permit (€14,000)

Allows foreign nationals to obtain temporary residence by injecting at least €14,000 in share capital or an existing company’s equity.

Entrepreneur Visa (€28,000)

Suited for small business owners. You must invest a minimum of €28,000 and show a viable business plan.

Golden Visa (Business) (€50,000)

Despite its nickname, this is not a direct citizenship-by-investment scheme. You invest €50,000 into a company or fund and operate an active enterprise.

Large-Scale Investor Route (€260,000 + 5 Locals)

Requires at least €260,000 in share capital and the creation of five full-time jobs for Lithuanian or EU citizens.

Startup Visa (from €8,000)

Designed for tech entrepreneurs. You submit an innovative business plan approved by a designated startup support organization and prove access to at least €8,000 in funds.

Core Requirements for Your Investment

Every route shares common conditions. Make sure you understand these before you commit funds.

• No real estate option. You must run an operational business, not simply buy property.
• Genuine economic activity. Authorities expect active trading, production, or service provision.
• Local employment. All business programs mandate hiring Lithuanian or EU citizens.
• Operational funds. Banks often request enough working capital to cover six months of expenses, even if the legal threshold is lower.

Local Employment Rules

Your venture must employ at least one Lithuanian or EU citizen for smaller thresholds and five for the large-scale investor route. Payroll taxes and social contributions apply under Lithuanian labor law.

Banking and Working Capital

Opening a corporate account usually calls for a deposit above the statutory minimum share capital. Plan for roughly €10,000–€15,000 in liquid funds to satisfy banking and migration authorities.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these stages to secure your investor visa in under two months:

1. Company formation
2. Choose a legal form (most use a private limited liability company, UAB).
3. Register with the Centre of Registers and get a business code.
4. Investment and proof
5. Transfer share capital to your corporate bank account.
6. Obtain a bank statement and capital proof.
7. Gather documents
8. Valid passport, photos, health insurance.
9. Business plan and evidence of investment.
10. Employment contracts if hiring locals.
11. Submit to Migration Department
12. Online pre-application, then in-person appointment.
13. Pay state fee (about €100).
14. Await decision
15. Standard processing time is 30–60 days.
16. Receive your temporary residence permit and start business activities.

Your Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

• After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may apply for permanent residency.
• Citizenship requires 10 years of residency, passing Lithuanian language and civic integration tests, and spending no more than 30 months outside Lithuania during that decade.

“Citizenship is granted only after you prove genuine ties to Lithuania, including language skills and civic knowledge.” – Migration Department of Lithuania

Including Your Family

Your spouse and children (under 18) can join you under most business-based permits under the EU Family Reunification Directive. They receive the same validity and renewal rights, plus access to local education and healthcare.

Looking Ahead: Changes in 2025

New rules coming January 2025 will tweak minimum salary and investment thresholds for certain visas, and adjust social security requirements for foreign-hired staff – see the Ministry of Interior’s announcement on new immigration regulations.

• Slight increase in minimum share capital for the Entrepreneur Visa
• Updated wage requirement for locally employed staff
• Streamlined digital application portal

Your Roadmap to Lithuania

Lithuania’s investor visa offers one of Europe’s most accessible business residency schemes—no property purchase, low investment floors, and swift processing. By following this guide, you’ll set up a compliant company, secure your permit, and open the door to permanent residency and eventual citizenship. Start planning today, and you could be running a thriving enterprise in Vilnius within months.