Lithuania

The Lithuanian market is often seen as an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth investors seeking EU residency. Its favourable business conditions with the European Union, strategic location and utilization of the technological industry have attracted many. However, whilst the country showcases attractive opportunities, it also faces the limitations of its relatively small market compared to other European Nations.

Lithuania Citizenship Investment

Lithuania does not offer a direct citizenship by investment programme, however, it may be possible to apply for citizenship in Lithuania, following ten years of residency. There are a couple of options for gaining temporary residency through investment in Lithuania.

Lithuania Residency Options

Lithuania provides two primary avenues to secure temporary residency permits.

The first option is the start-up visa, catering to non-EU entrepreneurs aiming to establish businesses in specific fields such as nanotechnology, electronics, and biotechnology. To qualify, investors must own a stake in the company and possess adequate financial resources to sustain their business goals for the first year. A temporary residency permit is issued under this visa, renewable for up to three years, provided all requirements are consistently met. An additional two years can be obtained by presenting a comprehensive report detailing the start-up’s achievements and outlining future objectives. Upon completion of five years of temporary residency, investors become eligible for a permanent residency permit.

The second pathway involves the business visa, necessitating a minimum investment of USD $31,000. Businesses must operate in Lithuania for at least six months, employing local Lithuanians, before becoming eligible to apply for a residence permit.

However, whilst the temporary residency comes with benefits such as gaining the right to travel throughout the EU Schengen Zone and EU member countries, individuals can only explore the possibility of obtaining Lithuanian citizenship following a decade of residency. Alternative European options, such as Portugal’s Golden Visa Programme offer permanent residency or citizenship after five years without having to reside full time. It also allows visa-free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone. If you prefer eastern Europe, then Hungary’s Golden Visa is another good alternative.

Lithuania’s Passport Strength and Ranking

Lithuania does have a strong passport, offering visa-free access to 197 countries. These countries also account for 80.7% of world wealth (GDP) and 91.8% of world travel. This places it at 27th in La Vida’s comprehensive Global Passport ranking. Although a seemingly attractive passport strength, its lengthy citizenship by investment and specific business-orientated route makes it challenging to investors.