Housing

The Vilnius rental market has become more competitive since 2020, driven by tech sector growth, Revolut and Vinted employees, and a growing international student population. Despite this, rents remain dramatically cheaper than Western European equivalents. The most in-demand areas are Naujamiestis (New Town), Senamiestis (Old Town), and the new Paupys riverside development. Properties are listed primarily on Aruodas.lt and NT.lt — both in Lithuanian, but manageable with Google Translate.

The Lithuanian renting process is relatively straightforward, though almost everything is conducted in Lithuanian — having a local contact or translator for the lease review is strongly advised. Estate agents (NT brokeriai) are widely used and typically charge the tenant one month's rent as their commission. Some landlords rent directly (skelbiu.lt has private listings) which avoids the agent fee.

Vilnius is compact enough that most central neighbourhoods are within walking distance or a short Bolt ride of each other. The choice of neighbourhood is largely a lifestyle question: Old Town for historic atmosphere, Naujamiestis for modern business convenience, Užupis for bohemian character, and Paupys for new-build quality.

EU citizens and legal residents can buy property in Lithuania without restrictions. Non-EU citizens with a valid residence permit can also purchase residential property. The property market has grown steadily — Vilnius city centre prices reached €2,500–4,000/sqm in 2025, still well below Western European capitals. Transaction costs are low: notary fees of ~1%, real estate agent commission of 2–3% (typically paid by seller), and property transfer tax at 0.5–3% depending on value.

Short-term furnished rentals are widely available in Vilnius through Airbnb, Booking.com, and local platforms. They are practical for the first 1–3 months while you establish your asmens kodas, find your preferred neighbourhood, and negotiate a long-term lease. Expect to pay a significant premium for short-term flexibility — monthly rates on furnished short-terms are typically 30–50% above comparable long-term rents.