In short
Lithuania's Startup Visa is for founders of innovative, scalable startups. You apply to Startup Visa Lithuania, run by the Innovation Agency; an expert committee scores your idea, team and growth potential — no incubator, minimum investment or working product is required. You must show living funds of €13,836 for 12 months (one minimum wage a month in 2026). The Migration Department then decides on the residence permit within a month; it lasts 2 years and can be extended to 5, and family members can join. A UAB needs €1,000 of capital; new small companies can pay 0% corporate tax for their first two periods and 7% after (17% standard), and R&D costs can be deducted three times.
Lithuania startup: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Startup Visa Lithuania | An expert committee scores your innovative, scalable plan — no incubator or investment threshold; living funds of €13,836 for 12 months (2026); 2-year permit, extendable to 5# Source: Startup Visa Lithuania (Innovation Agency): official site · Startup Visa Lithuania: FAQ · Startup Visa Lithuania: guidebook (Aug 2025) |
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| Where to apply | From the US through the MIGRIS system and VFS Global, or at the Migration Department in Lithuania# Source: Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago: residence permits · Startup Visa Lithuania: guidebook (Aug 2025) |
| Residence permit fees | €160 (€320 urgent); decision within 3 months (45 days urgent), 1 month for Blue Card and Startup Visa# Source: Migration Department: state fees for residence permits · EU Immigration Portal: EU Blue Card in Lithuania |
| Business residence permit | Company equity of €28,000 (€14,000 from you); you own a third or are the director; 6 months of operation; staff paid at least 2 average wages in total. 2 years — 3 years with €260,000 invested and 5 employees# Source: Deloitte Lithuania: residence permits for business and work · Law on the Legal Status of Aliens (consolidated text) |
| Usual company type | UAB (private limited company): €1,000 minimum capital since May 2023; MB small partnership with no minimum capital# Source: Ecovis: Lithuanian Law on Companies — €1,000 minimum capital · Law on Small Partnerships (e-TAR) |
| Registration | Centre of Registers entry within 3 working days; foreign founders without a Lithuanian e-signature go through a notary (often by power of attorney) or get Lithuanian e-residency (€90)# Source: International House Vilnius: start a business · Migration Department: e-resident fee |
| Corporate tax | 17% from 2026 (16% in 2025, 15% before); small companies 7% (revenue up to €300,000), and 0% for the first 2 tax periods of a new small company# Source: KPMG Lithuania: Tax Card 2026 · KPMG: Lithuania corporate income tax changes from 1 January 2026 |
| R&D deduction | Qualifying R&D costs deducted 3 times (300%)# Source: KPMG Lithuania: Tax Card 2026 |
| Startup scene | About 1,100 startups and five unicorns, including Vinted (valued at €8 billion in 2026) and Nord Security# Source: Go Vilnius: startups account for 2% of the national budget · Tech.eu: Vinted valued at €8 billion (Apr 2026) |
| Social Security agreement | None between the US and Lithuania — self-employed Americans may owe both US and Lithuanian contributions# Source: SSA: US international Social Security agreements (Lithuania not listed) |
| US anti-deferral tax | GILTI renamed NCTI from 2026; Lithuania's 17% (and 7% or 0% small-company rates) is below the 18.9% high-tax threshold# Source: RSM US: international tax reform under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The Startup Visa and Lithuanian company rules are the same for all non-EU founders, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow this page exactly. Only your home country's side is different:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Tax at home | The US taxes its citizens wherever they live; most other countries tax by residence, with their own rules for owning a foreign company. Check with a tax advisor in your country. |
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| Social security | There is no US–Lithuania Social Security agreement; other countries have their own arrangements. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
Launching Your Startup in Lithuania
Lithuania has built one of the most active startup scenes in Central and Eastern Europe — about 1,100 startups and five unicorns, including Vinted (valued at €8 billion in 2026) and Nord Security. For non-EU founders, the Startup Visa is the main route: an expert committee judges your startup, then the Migration Department issues a residence permit.
US citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days in any 180 to meet partners and investors, but need a residence permit to work in Lithuania.
Lithuania's Startup Visa asks for a strong idea and team, not a fixed investment. The committee is the real test — prepare your plan as carefully as an investor pitch.
Our Services
Your Partner for a Lithuanian Launch
Founder route strategy
Startup Visa, business residence permit or a job — which fits you.
Startup Visa application
Business plan, team and pitch for the expert committee, and proof of living funds.
Company formation (UAB)
E-residency or notary signing, registration, beneficial owners and tax.
Funding and incentives
Innovation Agency programmes, the R&D triple deduction and Lithuanian investors.
Settling in
Residence declaration, banking, health insurance and housing — LocalVouch lists services other expats recommend.
Residency Pathways
Navigating Business & Residency Pathways
Startup Visa Lithuania
An expert committee scores innovation, team and scalability — no incubator, minimum investment or MVP needed. Living funds of €13,836 for 12 months. File in MIGRIS; the Migration Department decides within 1 month. 2-year permit, extendable to 5; family can join. Set up the company within 120 days.
Business Residence Permit
For an operating company with €28,000 of equity (€14,000 from you), at least a third of the shares or the director's role, 6 months of activity and staff paid at least 2 average wages in total. 2 years, or 3 with €260,000 and 5 employees.
EU Blue Card
For founders who join a Lithuanian company first — about €3,940 a month in 2026, 3-year permit.
Costs & Business Landscape
Business & Living Costs in Lithuania
Company formation
A UAB needs €1,000 of capital. The Centre of Registers enters it within 3 working days; without a Lithuanian e-signature, use e-residency (€90) or a notary.
Tax and incentives
Corporate tax is 17% in 2026. Small companies with revenue up to €300,000 pay 7%, and new ones can pay 0% for their first two tax periods. Qualifying R&D costs can be deducted three times (300%). Employers pay only 1.77% social insurance on top of salaries; employees pay 19.5%.
Funding and living costs
The Innovation Agency (which absorbed the former LVPA and Enterprise Lithuania in 2022) runs grant calls for startups and SMEs; amounts and co-funding rates depend on each call. Vilnius has an active local VC scene. Living costs are low — about €1,300–1,500 a month for a single person in Vilnius.
US tax
Lithuania's 0%, 7% and 17% rates are all below the 18.9% US high-tax threshold for the NCTI rules (formerly GILTI), so US owners can owe US tax on profits the company keeps. Plan the structure with a US international tax adviser.
Where to Base
Lithuania's Top Startup Hubs
Vilnius
The capital and tech centre — most startups, investors, fintechs and the unicorns' headquarters.
Kaunas
The second city and a university centre, with strengths in engineering, lasers and medtech, and lower costs.
Klaipėda
The port city, with a free economic zone and maritime, logistics and energy businesses.
Step by Step
Essential Steps for American Founders
Build your case
An innovative, scalable business plan and a strong team — that is what the committee scores.
Apply to Startup Visa Lithuania
Submit your application online; the expert committee evaluates it.
Apply for the residence permit
After endorsement, file in MIGRIS, show €13,836 of living funds and submit documents at VFS Global in the US or in Lithuania.
Register your UAB
Within 120 days of getting the permit, register the company with €1,000 of capital.
Declare your residence and set up
Declare your address within a month, open accounts and register for taxes and Sodra.
Use the incentives
Claim the 0% or 7% small-company rate, the R&D triple deduction and Innovation Agency calls where you qualify.
Why Lithuania
Why Lithuania Is a Strategic Launchpad for US Founders
A merit-based founder visa
No minimum investment — the committee judges the idea and team.
Low tax for young companies
0% for the first two periods and 7% after for small companies.
Fintech and tech talent
A large fintech sector and engineers from Vinted, Nord Security and other scale-ups.
Digital government
Online registration, e-signatures and e-residency make running a company from Lithuania simple.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for the Lithuanian Startup Visa?
There is no minimum investment. You must show living funds for 12 months — €13,836 in 2026 (one minimum monthly wage per month).
Do I need an incubator?
No. Startup Visa Lithuania's expert committee assesses your application directly.
How long is the Startup Visa permit?
2 years, with the chance to extend it to 5. Family members can get permits too.
What is Lithuania's corporate tax for startups?
New small companies (revenue up to €300,000) can pay 0% for their first two tax periods, then 7%. The standard rate is 17% in 2026.
Does Lithuania have a golden visa for investors?
No. Investment counts only through an operating business that meets the business-permit tests.
Lithuania
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