Lithuania has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004 and it signed the Schengen Agreement in 2003, before implementing the rules of the agreement in 2007.
If you reside outside of the Schengen Zone and wish to visit this Baltic nation, you may need to submit an ETIAS application form.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Lithuania
The ETIAS visa waiver program was initiated at the end of 2022 and is expected to be fully in place from 2023 and beyond.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System and it is an electronic system that aims to automate short-term visa-free access to countries within the Schengen Area.
If you are given authorization, you will be permitted to spend up to 90 days within the Schengen Area (including Lithuania) during any 180-day period. The ETIAS visa waiver lasts for 3 years but it is tied to the applicant’s passport and will expire sooner if that passport also expires.
Once you have an ETIAS visa waiver for Lithuania, you will be free to visit all other countries within the Schengen Area.
Do I Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver to Visit Lithuania?
Do you live within the Schengen Area? If so, you won’t need an ETIAS visa waiver for Lithuania. The Schengen Area covers 22 countries in the European Union (EU) and all four countries from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The agreement is constantly expanding, as well, so more countries will likely be added in time.
If you do not reside within the Schengen Area or European Union, you’ll probably need an ETIAS now and always.
Fortunately, the ETIAS application process is very straightforward. You just need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months from the day you travel and you will also be asked for some basic personal and travel info.
There is a small fee of €7 at the end of the application and you will need a credit card or debit card to pay this. However, it’s only levied at applicants aged 18 or older.
Lithuania and the Schengen Visa
You can’t live in Lithuania with an ETIAS visa waiver, nor can you work or study long-term. You will need a Schengen Visa before you can work/study there for a long time and you’ll need to look into residency to stay.
Lithuania actually gets more visa applications than Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Norway, and Denmark, which will no doubt come as a surprise to many of you.
It’s a beautiful country and has a lot to offer, which may have something to do with it. However, without intending to do the nation and its people a disservice, the main reason is that the Lithuania Schengen Visa is easier to acquire than any other Schengen Visa.
You will typically find Lithuania at the top of listicles about “Easiest Schengen Visas”, with one site claiming a rejection rate of just 1.3%.
Visiting Lithuania with an ETIAS Visa Waiver
Once you have received your ETIAS visa waiver for Lithuania, it’s time to book your flights and accommodation and pay this great country a visit!
There are many landmarks to see and attractions to explore and Lithuania is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Vilnius Old Town. It’s a beautiful medieval town with many perfectly preserved buildings.
The lake resort of Trakai is also worth a visit, as is the Curonian Spit & Kursiu Nerija National Park, Siauliai Hill of Crosses, Gate of Dawn, the Ginuciai Water Mill, and the Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum.