First Steps

Today, Vilnius is the largest city in Lithuania, home to more than 600,000 residents. It is an open and international city where people from more than 140 countries live, work, study, and build their lives. Vilnius is home to the country’s main government institutions, universities, research centres, cultural organisations, and international companies.

Nearly half of the city’s territory consists of green spaces, parks, and forests, which is why Vilnius is often considered one of the greenest cities in Europe. The city offers an extensive network of walking and cycling paths, and nature is never far away, even from the city centre.

Vilnius is also a compact and convenient city. Many key destinations can be reached quickly by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. The city is divided into neighbourhood administrative units (seniūnijos), where residents can access information, submit applications, and receive various local services closer to their place of residence. You can find a list of elderships here.

Vilnius offers a rich cultural life, international communities, diverse cuisines, and a wide range of sports and leisure activities. It is a city where historical heritage blends seamlessly with a modern, international lifestyle.

When applying for a Lithuanian residence permit for the first time, information about your place of residence can usually be submitted together with your application to the Migration Department. After receiving your residence permit or changing your address, you must declare or update your place of residence no later than one month after obtaining your residence permit or changing your place of residence.

How can you declare your place of residence in Vilnius?

Declaring your place of residence in Vilnius is simple. You can:

• complete the declaration online via epaslaugos.lt;
• apply through the municipality’s online services portal;
• visit your local eldership (seniūnija) according to your place of residence or the Vilnius City Municipality at Konstitucijos Ave. 3, Vilnius.

To declare your place of residence, you will usually need:

• a valid identity document (passport or ID card);
• a Lithuanian residence permit;
• a document confirming your right to reside at the declared address (for example, a rental agreement or the property owner’s consent).

By declaring your place of residence in Vilnius, you not only become an official resident of the city but also contribute to its development. Revenue generated from residents’ income tax is invested in improving city infrastructure, including roads, pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, parks, and public spaces, benefiting both residents and visitors alike.

More information about the declaration of residence.

Electronic services allow you to:

• declare your place of residence;
• submit applications to state and municipal institutions;
• track the status of submitted applications;
• register a vehicle;
• access healthcare, social insurance, and tax systems;
• sign documents electronically;
• make various payments online.

How can you obtain an electronic identification tool?

The most commonly used methods in Lithuania are:

• Smart-ID, which can be set up through online banking or by visiting a bank branch.
• Mobile-ID (Mobile Signature), provided by mobile network operators.
• Electronic signature on a national ID card, available to holders of a valid identity card with an electronic signature certificate.

For more information about electronic services and available login methods, visit epaslaugos.lt.

To access healthcare services in Lithuania, it is important to have compulsory health insurance and register with a family doctor. A family doctor is the first healthcare professional you should contact if you become ill or need medical advice. If necessary, your family doctor will refer you to a specialist.

Healthcare services in Lithuania are provided by both public and private medical institutions. Some services are fully covered, while others may be partially reimbursed or paid for by the patient. If you are covered by compulsory health insurance, most essential healthcare services in public healthcare institutions will be provided free of charge.

What should you do to access healthcare services?

• Check whether you are covered by compulsory health insurance;
• Register with a healthcare institution in Vilnius and choose a family doctor;
• Save the emergency number 112.

You can find more information about healthcare institutions in Vilnius, family doctors, emergency assistance, and other healthcare services.

If you have arrived in Vilnius with children or plan to pursue studies, it is worth familiarising yourself with the education opportunities available in the city. Vilnius offers public and private kindergartens, general education schools, international schools, and higher education institutions.

Children of foreign nationals have the right to attend schools in Lithuania. Depending on a child’s age, language skills, and individual needs, additional Lithuanian language lessons and other support measures may be provided to help them integrate into the education system.

Vilnius also offers a wide range of non-formal education opportunities, including sports schools, art schools, and extracurricular activities that help children and young people become part of the local community.

What should you do to access education services?

• Explore education options according to your child’s age;
• Choose a kindergarten or school;
• Submit an application for admission;
• If needed, learn about Lithuanian language learning opportunities for children;
• Explore extracurricular and leisure activities available in the city.

Find more information about kindergartens, schools, and other education opportunities in Vilnius here.

Public transport can be used with single-use, fixed-term or long-term tickets. Tickets can be loaded onto a JUDU card or purchased through the JUDU mobile application.

What should you do?

• Plan your route to your home, workplace or educational institution;
• Purchase a public transport ticket or a JUDU card;
• Download the public transport application to plan your journeys.

Useful to Know

• You must have a valid ticket throughout your journey when using public transport.
• Children, school pupils, students, seniors and certain other groups may be eligible for discounted fares.
• Vilnius has an extensive cycling network, making bicycles a popular way to travel around the city.

Vilnius also offers bike-sharing and e-scooter services, while many places such as shops, schools, parks and public services can be reached on foot. The city continuously improves pedestrian infrastructure by expanding sidewalks, creating safer crossings and developing attractive public spaces.

When using bicycles or e-scooters, it is important to follow traffic rules, respect pedestrians and park vehicles only in designated areas to help keep public spaces safe and accessible for everyone.

Driving and Parking

If you use a car in Vilnius, it is important to familiarise yourself with the city’s parking system. Parts of the city are located within paid parking zones, so always check local parking rules and applicable fees before leaving your vehicle.

Parking services in Vilnius are managed by JUDU, where you can also find information about resident parking permits, electric vehicle parking, parking lots and payment methods.

If your child was born in Vilnius, you are planning to get married, or you have experienced the loss of a loved one, it is important to be familiar with the relevant registration procedures and required documents.

Birth Registration

If your child was born in Lithuania, the birth must be registered within 3 months from the date of birth.

The following documents are usually required:

• identity documents of both parents;
• residence permits or other documents confirming legal residence in Lithuania;
• a birth confirmation issued by a healthcare institution, if the information has not been entered into the electronic health system;
• if the child was born outside of marriage, a declaration of paternity may be required.

A child’s birth can be registered at the Vilnius Civil Registry Office, K. Kalinausko St. 21, Vilnius, or by submitting an electronic application through the e-services system.

Please note that paper birth certificates are no longer issued in Lithuania. They have been replaced by electronic records, which can be obtained from the Population Register.

Marriage Registration

If you are planning to get married in Lithuania, you must apply to a Civil Registry Office and submit the required documents. Marriage is usually registered no earlier than one month after the application is submitted.

The following documents are usually required:

• identity documents of both future spouses;
• a document issued by a foreign country confirming that there are no legal obstacles to marriage;
• documents confirming legal residence in Lithuania (if applicable).

Applications can be submitted:

• in person at the Vilnius Civil Registry Office, K. Kalinausko St. 21, Vilnius;
• electronically through the e-services system;
• by sending a signed application by email to: santuoka@vilnius.lt

Death Registration

In the event of a person’s death in Lithuania, the death must be registered with the Civil Registry Office.

The following documents are usually required:

• the applicant’s identity document;
• a medical death certificate.

In Vilnius, death registration can be arranged through the Vilnius Civil Registry Office, K. Kalinausko St. 21, Vilnius, or by submitting an electronic application.

Vilnius is a safe city, but like any resident, it is important to know how to act in an emergency and where to find reliable information. We recommend saving the emergency number 112 and familiarising yourself with civil protection recommendations.

What Should You Do?

• Save the general emergency number 112.
• Download the KOVAS app and stay informed about important updates and news from Vilnius.
• Familiarise yourself with the Vilnius City Evacuation Plan.
• Find out where your nearest shelter and evacuation points are located.

KOVAS App

KOVAS is the official Vilnius mobile application, providing residents with city news, municipal information, important announcements, events, and other useful updates in one place.

Download the app

LT72

LT72 is Lithuania’s preparedness platform and mobile application for emergencies. It provides practical guidance on how to prepare for various emergencies, information about potential threats, shelters, evacuation points, emergency alerts, and other civil protection resources.

Learn more

International House Vilnius

A one-stop-shop service centre for foreign residents. Here you can receive consultations on residence permits, employment, taxes, healthcare, education, housing, and other practical matters.

📍 Konstitucijos Ave. 3, Vilnius
🌐 ihvilnius.lt
📅 Registration for a consultation

Vilnius City Municipality

If your question is related to residence declaration, social services, education, elderships (seniūnijos), or other municipal services, you can contact the Municipality Customer Service Centre.

📍 Konstitucijos Ave. 3, Vilnius
📞 +370 5 211 2000 or 1664
🌐 vilnius.lt

MiCenter

Free consultations on migration, living in Lithuania, healthcare, social services, education, and other integration-related topics.

📞 0 800 22922
📧 iomvilniusmic@iom.int
🌐 micenter.lt
📅 Registration for a consultation

Emergency Assistance

📞 112
The national emergency number for the police, ambulance services, and fire and rescue services.

Questions About Living in Vilnius

Residence Permits, Visas and Migration Matters