HOW TO FIND A JOB IN LITHUANIA

Lithuania is a small Baltic state in northeastern Europe with a population of about 2.6 million people. The country has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and joined the euro zone in 2015. Since its secession from the USSR in 1990, the Lithuanian economy has developed quite dynamically thanks to foreign investments and European credits.

The country hosts both industrial enterprises, especially in the field of shipbuilding and mechanical engineering, and agricultural companies. The tourism industry also plays an important role in filling the budget. Work in Lithuania for foreigners in 2023 looks more promising than, say, 12 years ago, shortly after the global financial crisis.

However, it is not easy to find a job in the Lithuanian labor market. Unemployment in Lithuania is – 8–9%, and, first of all, local authorities care about employment of local population.

Work in Lithuania

On the other hand, EU membership paved the way for young Lithuanian specialists to move to more developed European countries, where salaries are much higher. This creates additional vacancies and allows qualified workers from abroad to find jobs in Lithuania. Sometimes special qualifications are not required, experience and professionalism are much more important.

For example, a job as a driver in Lithuania is very popular among foreigners, usually in international transportation. There are vacancies in this area. In the following article, we will look at the mechanism of employment in Lithuania, get acquainted with the available vacancies and the level of pay in 2023, learn how to find a job without intermediaries and apply for a work visa.

CONTENTS

How to go to work in Lithuania

EU regulations and Lithuanian domestic laws ensure the priority right to employment primarily to Lithuanian citizens and Europeans. Only if there are no required specialists among these categories, it is possible to hire a foreigner from third countries. For this purpose, it is necessary to obtain the appropriate work permit even before moving to Lithuania.

The main task of an applicant is to find a job and convince the Lithuanian employer of his competitive advantages. Before that, the vacancy must be registered at the local employment exchange and advertised through specialized employment websites and print media publications at least 30 days in advance.

How to go to work in Lithuania

If during this period there are no volunteers for the job, the Lithuanian company has the right to hire a foreign worker from a country outside the EU. The employer must submit the following documents to the employment exchange:

an application for hiring an alien;
copy of foreign passport;
copy of the diploma confirming the qualification;
if the profession is part of so-called regulated professions, such as medicine or education, and requires compulsory higher education, it is necessary to provide proof of recognition of the alien's qualifications in Lithuania;
documentary proof of at least 2 years of work experience in the profession over the last 3 years;
if available: copies of professional development certificates and diplomas of graduation from Lithuanian educational institutions.

In addition, the employer will be required to justify the need to employ a foreigner and provide detailed information about the future working conditions of the foreign specialist. A decision to issue a work permit in Lithuania is made within 60 days.

If the application is approved, a labor contract is submitted to the labor exchange for registration and approval within 2 months at the latest. During this time, the alien must obtain a work visa at the Lithuanian Consulate in his home country and apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment.

As a rule, a work permit is issued for a maximum period of 2 years, with the possibility of extension. In the case of seasonal work, the maximum period cannot exceed 6 months within one year.

In some cases, a work permit in Lithuania is not required. For example, they may be athletes, scientists, teachers at Lithuanian universities, religious leaders, interns, volunteers, and representatives of foreign companies.

Employment in Lithuania. Job search without intermediaries.

Employment in Lithuania

To find a job on your own in Lithuania in 2023, you will need an Internet connection and a fair amount of patience. The Lithuanian labor market offers many ways to find a job.

Popular Lithuanian job search sites

International employment sites

Careerjet

Learn4good

Use a professional social network – Linkedin

Lithuanian newspaper

Baltic Times

Respublika

Verslo žinios

Of course, relatives and friends, who already live and work on the Lithuanian territory, can provide tangible assistance in finding a job. If possible, you can visit Lithuania for tourism purposes and try to find an employer during this time.

The services of intermediary companies should be treated with utmost caution, and only trusted companies should be used. Here is a link to the website of the Lithuanian Employment Association, which provides a list of recruiting agencies in Lithuania. Not a bad option for temporary employment.

Vacancies and wages in Lithuania

In order to successfully find a job in Lithuania it is important to understand the current situation in the labor market and the level of wages you can count on. The minimum wage from January 1, 2023 is 840 euros per month. The average wage in Lithuania is about 1,666.9 euros per month. After deducting taxes, that leaves 1,051.6 euros. This is one of the worst indicators in the EU. Less than that only in Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.

Jobs and wages in Lithuania

When it comes to jobs, it is worth paying attention to scarce occupations in the first place. In 2023, the following vacancies are available for foreigners in Lithuania:

engineers;
managers (business and sales sector);
truck and motorcar drivers (cab drivers, long-haul truck drivers);
tailors;
cooks;
construction workers (bricklayers and welders);
agricultural workers;
salesmen;
couriers;
loaders and janitors.

Working as a driver in Lithuania is one of the most popular jobs. If you have driving experience, health and age allow, you can earn good money. From 1000 Euros per month and higher. Foreign specialists in construction professions are also valued.