Learn Lithuanian language

From 1 January 2026, foreigners selling goods or providing services in Lithuania will be required to ensure that they provide services to residents in the state language at a level not lower than the basic level of language proficiency. The newly established basic level of state language proficiency corresponds to the A1 level of Lithuanian language proficiency.
The requirement to provide services to residents at the basic level of state language proficiency will apply to foreigners for two years. The two-year period is calculated from the day when the foreigner was first issued a document confirming or granting the right to reside in Lithuania. The basic category will also apply to foreigners who have a permit to work seasonally in Lithuania.
If the document granting the right to reside in Lithuania was first issued before 31 December 2025, the two-year period begins to count from 1 January 2026.
After the two-year period, in order to continue working in Lithuania in the services and trade sector, it will be necessary to know the state language at the A2 level.
The exception to the state language proficiency requirement will apply only to foreigners with temporary protection status. This category includes Ukrainians who have fled the war.
Currently, in Lithuania, the first state language proficiency category (A2 language proficiency level) applies to employees in services, production, trade, transport and other areas (e.g., drivers, waiters, sellers), if they have to communicate with customers for work purposes.
The second state language proficiency category (B1 language proficiency level) applies to employees in education, culture, healthcare, social security and other areas, civil servants and state officials.
The third state language proficiency category (B2 language proficiency level) applies to heads of state and municipal institutions, institutions, enterprises and organizations, civil servants and state officials, teachers, aviation specialists, maritime and inland waterway transport specialists, etc.

The state language exams are organized by the National Education Agency according to the approved schedule.
Candidates can take the exam at the basic school of the municipality in which they live. In Vilnius, exams are organized at the Vilnius Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Adult Education Center, Kauno g. 43, LT-03203 Vilnius, tel. (0 663) 52 737, e-mail: rastine@bitescentras.vilnius.lm.lt
If there are no more places in the municipality in which they live, another basic school will be offered. A list of schools in other cities can be found here. Up to 800 people will be able to take one exam at a time throughout the country.
Candidates must create their account on the website of the National Education Agency, choose the place and time of the exam, and after the exam they can check the results of the exam they took.
Registration for Lithuanian language proficiency exams begins 30 days before the exam and ends 7 days before the exam. Registration is confirmed only upon receipt of the candidate’s payment for the exam. From 1 January 2026, the exam to determine the A1 level of Lithuanian language proficiency will cost 52 euros.
The exam results are announced no later than 15 working days from the date of the exam. Certificates of passing the exam are issued to candidates by basic schools that have received them from the National Education Agency.
More information – https://www.nsa.smsm.lt/for-foreigners/

The Vilnius City Municipality offers various opportunities for foreign residents to learn Lithuanian. The “Aš kalbu” website provides information about free and paid Lithuanian language courses, language clubs, self-study resources, and other language learning opportunities available in Vilnius.