The Lithuania Startup Visa operates as a specialized temporary residence permit designed specifically for innovative entrepreneurs from non-EU/EEA countries. The program is administered by Startup Lithuania, a division of Innovation Agency Lithuania operating under the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, in conjunction with the Migration Department (Migracijos departamentas).
Legal Framework
The program derives its authority from Article 45(1) of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Legal Status of Aliens, which was amended in late 2016 to create a dedicated visa category for startup founders. This legislation recognizes that traditional immigration requirements, such as minimum capital investments and local employee hiring mandates, can be prohibitive for early-stage innovative companies and established a more appropriate framework for entrepreneurial immigration.
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Program Philosophy
Unlike investment-focused immigration programs, the Lithuania Startup Visa prioritizes innovation potential over financial resources. The evaluation process, conducted by a committee of startup ecosystem experts including representatives from venture capital funds, accelerators, and government agencies, assesses whether applicants’ business ideas demonstrate genuine innovation and the potential for rapid scaling. This approach recognizes that successful startups often begin with limited capital but significant intellectual property or technological innovation.
Visa Structure and Duration
The program follows a progressive structure:
The startup visa structure acknowledges that building a successful company takes time while establishing clear milestones for progress evaluation. Each extension requires demonstrating advancement toward business objectives set during initial approval.
Distinction from Other Business Visas
The Startup Visa differs from Lithuania’s standard self-employment and business immigration routes in several important ways. Traditional business immigration typically requires demonstrating significant capital investment, immediate job creation, or proof of existing business operations. The Startup Visa waives these requirements in favor of innovation-based assessment, making it accessible to founders at the earliest stages of company development.
The startup must introduce new technologies or other innovations of significance for the economic and social development of Lithuania with the potential to scale up rapidly. Qualifying sectors include but are not limited to:
Applicants must demonstrate means of subsistence equivalent to the Lithuanian minimum monthly wage, which as of 2025 is โฌ1,038 per month, totaling โฌ12,456 for the first year. This amount must be available and documented through official bank statements.
Additionally, applicants must obtain health insurance coverage with a minimum of โฌ30,000, valid for the duration of their intended stay.
Prototype or Traction Requirement
While not always mandatory, the program favors applicants who can demonstrate:
If the startup is approved, applicants receive an official Startup Visa Certificate from Startup Lithuania. This certificate confirms eligibility and is mandatory for proceeding with the residence permit application.
After approval, founders register on the MIGRIS (Lithuanian Migration Information System) portal to start their residence permit application, complete the required forms, upload documents, and select the processing timeline.
Once approved, applicants receive their Temporary Residence Permit (TRP), allowing them to legally live and operate a startup in Lithuania. Processing timelines vary depending on standard or expedited selection.
Lithuania provides one of the most affordable EU living environments:
Lithuania ranks among global leaders in digital connectivity:
Most startup visa holders establish a UAB (Uลพdaroji akcinฤ bendrovฤ), the private limited liability company form:
The Lithuania Startup Visa process typically takes 2-4 months from initial application to TRP issuance.
