Only Foreigners with a Residence Permit Allowed to Work in Lithuania Under New Stricter Government Rules
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Lithuania will annually issue 40,000 residence permits for work purposes to citizens of third countries.
2. Under the new stricter rules, only individuals with a residence permit will be allowed to work in Lithuania.
3. Companies wishing to hire foreign workers will face tougher requirements.
Lithuania has tightened its foreign employment regulations, restricting work eligibility to those holding a residence permit.
While these rules have become stricter, specific categories such as teachers, researchers, and citizens from economically developed countries will be exempt.
The Lithuanian government has established an annual quota of 40,000 permits for hiring third-country citizens, representing 1.4% of the permanent resident population as of July 2023.
These changes are part of a draft amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (UTPĮ) recently adopted by the government.
Stricter Regulations for Companies Hiring Foreign Workers
New proposals include tougher requirements for companies employing foreigners. These companies must possess the necessary licenses, have a clean record regarding reporting and data accuracy, hire workers for full-time positions, and disclose the qualifications and experience of foreign workers.
Additionally, foreign workers will be limited to working for a maximum of four employers in Lithuania.
According to Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė, these measures address increasing violations of the Lithuanian migration system.
"The control measures already in place and those provided for in the amendments to the UTPE will help to respond more effectively to the current challenges posed by labour migration," said Bilotaitė.
Currently, 219,500 foreigners hold residence permits in Lithuania, with nearly 116,000 issued for employment reasons.
Nearly 1,500 Foreigners Lose Residence Permits Over Employment Issues
In May 2024, following stricter labour regulations, Lithuanian authorities conducted several inspections resulting in 1,483 foreigners losing their residence permits, primarily due to unsigned or terminated work contracts. Additionally, 42 companies were prohibited from submitting letters of mediation for the arrival of foreigners.
Due to the stringent rules, approximately 7,500 individuals have been denied the issuance or change of residence permits or had their temporary permits revoked for violating migration laws. Furthermore, Lithuanian authorities have issued nearly 4,000 decisions to ban entry to the country.