Moving Guide

A well-prepared move to Lithuania takes 4–8 weeks of advance planning. The most important pre-arrival tasks are securing your visa or confirming your EU free movement rights, arranging initial accommodation (short-term furnished rental for the first month is recommended), and gathering the documents you will need for the asmens kodas application and bank account opening.

The asmens kodas (personal identification code — a 11-digit number) is the foundation of your administrative life in Lithuania. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, register for healthcare, sign an employment contract, or complete most official processes. Obtaining it is the first priority after arrival.

Registering your address (deklaracija) at the municipal office is required within 3 months of arrival for EU citizens and is part of the non-EU permit process. It serves as proof of domicile for all subsequent administrative steps including SODRA enrollment, bank account opening, and GP registration. Your landlord must agree to the registration — ensure this is confirmed before signing your lease.

Banking setup is typically one of the smoother steps once you have your asmens kodas and address registration. Most expats rely on Revolut (Lithuania-based EU bank) for day-to-day spending from arrival, then add a local traditional bank account (SEB, Swedbank, or Luminor) for payroll and direct debits once residency is formalised.

After securing your asmens kodas, address registration, and bank account, the key remaining administrative tasks are SODRA registration (health and social insurance), tax registration at the VMI (State Tax Inspectorate), and selecting a family doctor if using the public healthcare system.