Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Lithuania
Lithuania offers an incredible business and investment climate that is supported by skilled talent, a streamlined business environment and strong infrastructure. Ranked 5th globally for digital skills availability and 1st in the EU for real GDP per capita growth 2000 - 2020, Lithuania’s e-infrastructure is world-class. It is a regional leader for bandwidth and fiber-optic infrastructure.
Doing Business in Lithuania
There are numerous business opportunities across tech (Fintech, cybersecurity, software engineering and game development), manufacturing (automotive, industrial machinery), business services and life sciences. Its capital is ranked #1 globally in Tech Startups FDI Attraction Index.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Lithuania is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types that suit your individual circumstance.
Banking
Banking Hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday.
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Labor Law
The employment relationship is regulated by the Labor Code.
Main Industries
Petroleum refining, food processing, energy supplies, chemicals, furniture, wood products
GDP Growth
1%
Dates & Numbers
yyyy/mm/dd
Official State Name
The Republic of Lithuania
Population
2.79 million
Capital
Vilnius
Major Languages
Lithuanian
Currency
Euro
Internet Domain
.lt
International Dialing Code
+370
Payroll
Employers are required to approve a remuneration system unless this is already established in the collective agreement. The system must be prepared in a way that avoids gender discrimination among other issues.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Payroll reports must be kept for 6 years
Reports
Employees are entitled to receive paid annual leave of 20 days
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to receive paid sick leave of 3 days
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to 18 weeks of unpaid maternity leave and 4 weeks of unpaid paternity leave
Maternity & Paternity Leave
An employee is to be given 14 days notice of termination of employment.
Employee Termination
There are no provisions mandated by law regarding the 13th month salary
13th month salary
730 Euro per month
Minimum Wage
Overtime payment is calculated at the rate of 1.5x the employee's ordinary rate of pay and 2x for night shift work
Overtime
Employees paid monthly are entitled to 6 months’ pay for each year of employment for 20 years of service.
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
The tax system is simple with a range of incentives for large-scale investors including tax incentives for R&D. Worldwide income received by Lithuanian tax residents is subject to personal income tax. The social insurance system guarantees income of the insured in the case of incapacity for work due to disease, maternity, old age, disability etc.
Tax
Lithuania’s seven Free Economic Zones provide attractive conditions for developing business by offering infrastructure, support services and tax incentives.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
Lithuania has a number of traditional types of social insurance for pensions, sickness, maternity, health, unemployment, accidents at work and occupational diseases.
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employees
Employment Law
Mandatory employer requirements include a remuneration system where the number of employees is 20 or more and a policy on measures implementing employee equal rights, such a policy approved where the number of employees exceeds 50.
Employment Agreement
An employment agreement must be agreed upon prior to an employee starting work. Additionally, the territorial office of the Lithuanian State Social Insurance FUnd Board must be notified at least 1 business day before the scheduled commencement date.
Working condition
The new Labor code introduces five working regimes: fixed duration of workdays, summary working time, flexible working schedule, split shifts and individualized working time regimes.
Leaves
Annual leave is calculated in terms of working days. There is additional leave for continuous employment, that is, 3 working days for continuous employment of 10 years and another working day for every 5 years of continuous employment thereafter.
Employment termination
In addition to termination by mutual agreement, the most common way to terminate employment are ordinary dismissal and dismissal on the employer’s will.
14 days
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
16 days
Total number of public holidays
40
Working hours per week
40
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
EU citizens who intend to stay for under 90 days only require an ID card or passport in order to live and work in Lithuania. Stays for over 90 days up to a maximum of 5 years require an employment contract and a declaration of place of residence among other things.
Non-EU citizens will need to complete three steps prior to beginning work:
- obtain a Schengen visa (C )
- obtain an EU Blue Card (residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU citizens valid for up to 3 years)
- formalize the EU Blue Card (application takes between 5 – 10 days)
Residency permits
Business owners / shareholders may obtain a residence permit issued for 2 years (and which ca be extended for up to 2 years indefinitely). Key requirements include the company being active for at least 6 months prior to the residence permit application, equity of at least €28,000. Foreign investors will need to have invested a minimum of €14,000.
Work Permit Validity
1 year
Required Documents
An application form for a national visa, completed using the electronic application form
A passport that has been issued within the last 10 years, which contains two or more blank pages, and is valid for at least three months after the duration of the visa
A color passport photo
A letter of mediation from the employer, which should be submitted electronically
A work permit
Proof of sufficient funds and means of income
Proof of health insurance.
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Lithuania. Get in touch with Lithuania payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!