Your first 90 days in Lithuania: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The residence declaration and the permit are separate, and Lithuania enforces both: an undeclared address can hold up your personal number, your bank account and your child's school place at the same time. Do the declaration in the first weeks, and re-do it on every move.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Submit the temporary residence permit application through MIGRIS and declare your place of residence with the municipality
Declare your residence within one month of arriving at the address; the residence permit decision itself typically takes 2-4 months
Everything starts in the MIGRIS portal, but the appointment slots at migration offices are the real bottleneck and are booked out weeks ahead — reserve the slot the day you decide to move, not the day you land.
Get your asmens kodas (Lithuanian personal number)
Banking, the health insurance fund, employment records, and every filing with the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) are keyed to it.
Assigned when the residence permit is granted and printed on the card; VMI registration for self-employment (individual activity certificate) is done separately online.
Open a bank account
Swedbank, SEB and Luminor are the mainstream options and want the residence card plus declared address; Lithuania is also Europe's densest fintech hub, so Revolut and similar are genuinely usable as a first account here rather than a stopgap. US persons should ask about FATCA handling before applying — some smaller institutions simply decline.
Enrol in healthcare
Compulsory health insurance (PSDF) covers residents who are employed, self-employed, or paying the monthly contribution voluntarily; you then register with a primary clinic that gatekeeps the rest. Coverage begins with the contributions, not with the permit, so there is a gap to bridge if you arrive without a job.
Sort your driver's license
EU/EEA licences stay valid. Non-EU licences may be used for a limited window after you take up residence and are then exchanged at Regitra, with exchange-without-testing depending on reciprocity — several common licences, including US state licences, require the theory and practical exams.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Lithuania: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Lithuania?
Submit the temporary residence permit application through MIGRIS and declare your place of residence with the municipality — Declare your residence within one month of arriving at the address; the residence permit decision itself typically takes 2-4 months. Everything starts in the MIGRIS portal, but the appointment slots at migration offices are the real bottleneck and are booked out weeks ahead — reserve the slot the day you decide to move, not the day you land. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the asmens kodas and do I need one?
asmens kodas (Lithuanian personal number) is Lithuania's personal tax/ID number. Banking, the health insurance fund, employment records, and every filing with the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) are keyed to it. Assigned when the residence permit is granted and printed on the card; VMI registration for self-employment (individual activity certificate) is done separately online.
Can I drive in Lithuania on a US license?
EU/EEA licences stay valid. Non-EU licences may be used for a limited window after you take up residence and are then exchanged at Regitra, with exchange-without-testing depending on reciprocity — several common licences, including US state licences, require the theory and practical exams. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Lithuania?
Compulsory health insurance (PSDF) covers residents who are employed, self-employed, or paying the monthly contribution voluntarily; you then register with a primary clinic that gatekeeps the rest. Coverage begins with the contributions, not with the permit, so there is a gap to bridge if you arrive without a job. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Lithuania's system treats foreign residents.